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Wolfcraig 35 Year Old Blended Grain Scotch Whisky Review

How does a 35-year-old whisky stay light and approachable instead of becoming over-oaked? Wolfcraig's rare blended grain achieves this delicate balance perfectly.

OVERALL RATING

9
$447
  • Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.
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Tasting Notes

About:

Wolfcraig, founded in 2017 by Michael and Jamie Lunn, brings three limited-edition expressions to the U.S. market starting September 2025. The brand pairs Master Blenders Richard Paterson OBE and Ian Macmillan, who together access some of Scotland’s most distinguished whiskies.

The brand draws its name from an ancient Scottish battlefield tale. According to legend, a wolf cub’s howl warned Celtic forces of an approaching Norse ambush, leading to a Celtic victory. The site became known as Wolfcraig, and the brand aims to embody that spirit of vigilance and triumph. “Joining González Byass USA is an exciting milestone for Wolfcraig,” says Richard Paterson, Master Blender of Wolfcraig. “Their expertise and proven track record in bringing exceptional brands to the U.S. provides us with a remarkable opportunity to showcase how Wolfcraig defines the premium blended Scotch category. With Ian and myself dedicated to crafting whiskies of unrivaled character, we are confident that Wolfcraig will resonate strongly with discerning American whisky enthusiasts.”

The oldest expression, the 35 Year Old Blended Grain, includes spirits from closed distilleries. These rare whiskies aged for over three decades in bourbon barrels. Official tasting notes indicate layers of marzipan, toffee apple, citrus fruits, and frangipane. The finish presents grape pulp, lime marmalade, ginger cake with custard, and Swiss white chocolate. Only 1,112 bottles were produced.
Appearance:
Light yellow
Nose:
Sweet dessert, yellow cake, hint of pine, whipped cream, all the components of an excellent Spanish Coffee – nutmeg, espresso, and slight rum.
Palate:
Pepper, oak tones, white sugar, lemon peel, mint, cake batter.
Finish:
Sweetness of finish, just the lightest puff of pipe smoke, long finish, misty tingle of soft citrus.
Comments:
Despite the age it is surprisingly light, excellent pop between the sugar and pepper. It lingers for a strong while without getting caught in the back of the throat.

This is a truly lovely whiskey that balances the difficult nature of maintaining a drinkable whisky against becoming over oaked and complex. It maintains a soft and approachable profile.

This is a great whiskey and something to bust out for the selective enthusiast in your midst. The bottle design is beautiful and worth a spot on your shelf.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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