Wolfburn "Aurora" Single Malt Scotch Whisky (750ml)

Wolfburn is located in the town of Thurso along the northern coast of Scotland just across from Orkney, making it by far Scotland's most-northerly Highland distillery. It was in 2011, when the Scotch renaissance really began to gain momentum, that the team behind the facility visited the site of the old Wolfburn distillery, originally built in 1821, and found nothing left but a pile of stones after nearly 150 years of neglect. The site had taken its name, however, from the nearby water source, a cold, clear stream that still remained intact. The land was purchased in 2012 and by the beginning of 2013 the distillery was up and running. Now a few years after distillation initially began, we're getting a sneak peak at the whisky's potential, and the initial taste is truly something special. The Aurora differs from the standard Wolfburn expression in that there's no peat influence from the ex-Islay barrels and sherry butts were used in place. What's interesting is that the color is still quite light despite the use of Oloroso casks. The initial flavors are light and fruity much like one would expect from a Highland malt, but the sherry sneaks up on the finish with a late-coming wave of spice cake, cocoa, and toffee. It's another charming and utterly drinkable malt from an exciting up and comer.