Here in the U.S., we’re used to seeing craft distilleries with a handful of bottlings to their name. Over in Scotland, new whisky makers often take far longer to introduce their own spirits. That’s why it is particularly cool to bring you word of Wolfburn Aurora, the second permanent expression from one of the now-oldest of the new crop of Scotch producers.
Wolfburn Aurora follows upon the heels of the now rebranded Wolfburn Northland, which we reviewed earlier this year. Aurora goes beyond Northland in complexity. It was made from a combination of whisky matured in first-fill Spanish sherry casks and American ex-bourbon casks. While no specific age statement was given for this release, we can assume it is likely between three and five years old when you take into consideration Scottish laws around single malt labeling and the age of the distillery itself.
Information from Wolfburn indicates Aurora had been planned for since 2012. Further details from a retailer site state some specifics on the cask mix making up this single malt – 40% is matured in the same second-fill quarter casks as the Northland, 40% in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, and the final 20% in first-fill Oloroso sherry hogsheads. The final product has been bottled at 46% ABV.
“Aurora is a truly splendid malt,” said Shane Fraser, Wolfburn distillery manager, in a prepared statement. “The sherry casks have done an excellent job, producing a really sweet and flavourful whisky. Combined with spirit matured in the ex-Bourbon casks, it makes for a deeper flavour and an incredibly smooth finish. We’re very confident that customers worldwide are going to love it.”
Official limited tasting notes are below from Wolfburn for your consideration.
On the nose you’ll sense sherry sweetness accompanied by dried fruits and malt. On the palate there’s a warmth imparted from the sherry, augmented by autumn fruits and nutty flavours, with a hint of spice in the background – wonderfully smooth and mellow.
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