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Scotch

Wolfburn Aurora

OVERALL
RATING

7

Whisky Review: Wolfburn Aurora

Tasting Notes:

About:
46% ABV. Mash bill: 100% malted barley. 92 Proof. MSRP 53 USD.
Appearance:
Pale champagne.
Nose:
The sherry is immediately apparent on the nose, with a hint of grassy florals. There are slightly spicy hints of honey underneath, building into a richer smell of fresh apricot.
Palate:
The whisky feels creamy on the tongue, with a front combination and an especially vinous sherry. The malt and bran is present, giving a strong base for the fruity flavors. As it opens, I can find the rich, sweet notes of ripe stone fruit. The whisky finishes with a warm flavor of toasted bran and black tea, giving an earthy send off to the sweeter taste.
Finish:
Comments:
An exceptionally smooth sherried single malt. It manages a good balance of sweet fruit notes with a savory base of malt and bran. It’s an easy sip, but still brings a reasonable amount of complexity. The most ardent fans of sherried scotch might want something that leans harder into the fruitiness of the sherry, but there’s enough quality to the flavor profile that any whisky drinker should find something to enjoy.

Editor’s Note: This whisky was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.

Scottish distilleries have had their ups and downs. Over the years, many distilleries have gone under due to economic pressures and changing demand. A renewed interest in old Scotch brands and their stories in more recent times sparked a trend of investors and aspiring distillers reviving previously shuttered distilleries, such as Port Ellen, Brora, and Rosebank.

Wolfburn Distillery took its name from the river where it drew its water at its founding in 1821. It would become the largest whisky distillery in Caithness before closing its doors in 1837. The site went to ruin over the course of the next century, leaving only scattered stone-work. It wouldn’t be until 2013 that a consortium of investors rebuilt Wolfburn Distillery. As with other iconic distilleries, they set out to revive a classic name. In this particular case, however, there is only a tenuous connection to the original distillery.

Wolfburn mentions the older distillery as part of their history, but has few connections to the original. The current owners have no connection to the staff of the original Wolfburn Distillery. The current distillery was built near, but not on, the previous location. No stock from the previous Wolfburn has made its way into these offerings. The only clear connection between the current Wolfburn and the original is that both are built on the same river in northern Scotland.

That single connection, though, is a powerful link. The pH and mineral profile of water has considerable impact on the eventual taste of a whisky. In the case of Wolfburn, its namesake river is situated in the far north of Scotland. By just drawing the same water for fermentation, these new distillers will be capturing an essential element of what would have made the older Wolfburn what it was.

Tradition is important to Scotch, both in its production and its marketing. Utilizing the name and history of an older distillery may be the trick that helps a new distillery find its place in a field dominated by historic names and high age statements. Regardless of whether you see this as a true revival of the elder Wolfburn, however, the awards and acclaim earned by the younger Wolfburn attract my attention in their own right.

Wolfburn aged their Aurora whisky in a mix of casks used for aging bourbon and oloroso sherry. Of the releases in their core range, it should have the strongest sherry presence. Like their other releases, it fermented for 75 hours rather than the usual 50. I’ll see how the influence of sherry compliments this style.

Wolfburn Aurora review
We review Wolfburn Aurora, a Scotch aged in a mix of casks used for aging bourbon and oloroso sherry. (image via Impex Beverages)

Tasting Notes: Wolfburn Aurora

Vital Stats: 46% ABV. Mash bill: 100% malted barley. 92 Proof. MSRP 53 USD.

Appearance: Pale champagne.

Nose: The sherry is immediately apparent on the nose, with a hint of grassy florals. There are slightly spicy hints of honey underneath, building into a richer smell of fresh apricot.

Palate: The whisky feels creamy on the tongue, with a front combination and an especially vinous sherry. The malt and bran is present, giving a strong base for the fruity flavors. As it opens, I can find the rich, sweet notes of ripe stone fruit. The whisky finishes with a warm flavor of toasted bran and black tea, giving an earthy send off to the sweeter taste.

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