Wolfburn From The Stills Summer 2020 Distillery Exclusive

Wolfburn is one of the most engaging distilleries for me right now. The entire concept is captivating, from their vision and principles to their standards and presentation. Initially, I sampled their core collection, which left me unimpressed and rather let down. However, I decided to try their special releases, which they produce frequently, and one of them genuinely surprised and won me over. This particular bottle is also a special single release. It marks their inaugural genuinely peated bottling. While they do have a peated whisky in their core range, the "Morven," its peatiness comes solely from being matured in used Lagavulin casks. I purchased this bottle without knowing its actual flavor profile or having many expectations. It was primarily an act of supporting Wolfburn during the pandemic. Nose: Quite delicate yet vibrant, with both bright fruitiness and peat. The peat is noticeable but not at all overpowering. It's pleasant. It feels cool and dry, reminiscent of a fire that has burned out the next morning. Equally present are subtle orchard fruits, a touch of fresh mango, and mild honey notes. However, I also detect an aromatic range familiar from another Wolfburn bottle I own ("No 375"), which I suspect might be their characteristic aromas. A hint of malty grain and a bit of exotic spice (turmeric/mild Indian curry). It feels young (around 5 years) and could benefit from a few more years; with more time, it has the potential to become something quite exceptional. That's my hope. Palate: First, a cool ash smokiness, not sweet, very mild, and a bit diluted. It then gradually develops a subtle sweetness. There's unsweetened granola and an interesting hop bitterness. Finish: Medium-short, the peat is present but unfortunately not very pleasant, leaving a slightly off-putting bitterness. I'm unsure how to interpret that. It's certainly not bad, but it genuinely feels incomplete and lacking roundness. Very light, simple, and rather uninteresting. The nose is straightforward and nice, the palate is interesting but seems diluted, and the finish is just adequate, improving slightly after a few sips. However, overall, it's not a great whisky. I will definitely continue to follow Wolfburn but will avoid their peated bottlings without additional cask finishes until they release their first age-stated expressions. I have high hopes but can't yet predict what their final products will truly be like.

Whisky Tasting: The Oak Barrel, Sydney, January 14, 2021. Whisky #3 Nose: Subtle floral malt, nutty, and fruity scents. Delicate yet distinct in character. Slightly spirited, but the alcohol isn't overpowering. The sweeter aromas are immediate and prominent, with light smoke in the background, while the dry glass reveals significant smokiness, indicating the peat's strong contribution to the profile. Palate: A balanced entry focused on cereal notes, with a sweet, creamy character developing – similar to muesli with fruit yogurt. Dark fruit (figs, dates), dried fruit, and nutty flavors (especially almond) emerge during the tasting, but it's not a heavy palate. Similar to the nose, excellent subtle smoky flavors appear with subsequent sips but are not intense – more like lightly smoked ham than strong barbecue, and definitely not maritime. The texture becomes even smoother and more viscous with time in the glass. Finish: Medium to long. Lightly smoked, like grilled tropical fruit. The finish leaves a creamy, sweet aftertaste, but there's a faint, sharp, "plastic-like" peat note at the very end. Overall, this is a well-balanced yet understated whisky that rewards careful tasting. A quick assessment might lead one to believe it's a light spirit, which is incorrect. Adding water brings out spicy notes, but it's neither necessary nor preferred. I suggest savoring this one neat. The "From the Stills" releases are typically only available directly from the distillery. However, since in-person visits were not possible in 2020, the distillery decided to make that year's bottling available through retail channels. This is the first such release I have tried. It was a blend from two sherry casks: a 7-year-old hogshead and a younger (likely 3-4 years old) octave. The sherry cask influence is evident in the dark and dried fruit notes and the overall sweetness, but the whisky maintains its balance. The spirit itself is allowed to lead, as it should. However, this is somewhat expensive, and as much as I enjoyed it, I decided not to purchase a bottle that evening. It's a good Wolfburn, but I believe they offer better expressions at lower price points, as well as some excellent ones for only slightly more. "Above Average": 82/100 (3.25 stars)