Wolfburn 12 Year Old Whisky Review: A Crowd-Pleaser with Character

Sunday, 27 July 2025 at 08:01

The Wolfburn Distillery in Thurso recently unveiled a brand-new flagship. The Wolfburn 12 Year Old is the oldest whisky from the distillery's stable. How does this whisky taste?

In this article:

What is the Wolfburn 12 Year Old whisky?
The new Wolfburn single malt whisky has been aged for 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels and second-fill Oloroso sherry butts. It is the new flagship of the core range.

What is the taste profile of the Wolfburn 12 Year Old whisky?
A scent of floral aromas with flavors of hints of honey, toasted sugar, and soft spices with a sherry sweetness.

Is the Wolfburn 12 Year Old whisky for you?
The whisky has an all-rounder character. There is some fruity, spicy and even some peat present.

A new leader in the field

Changing the flagship whisky is a big move, especially when the previous leader, Wolfburn Northland, is a fan favorite. Northland won’t disappear but will make way for this new addition, much like switching forwards in a soccer game.

A mix of bourbon and sherry sweetness

Most Wolfburn whiskies are unpeated, but the 12 Year Old is distilled using lightly peated barley for several months each year.

The whisky has aged for 12 years in Thurso. The maturation took place in equal parts of ex-bourbon barrels and second-fill Oloroso sherry butts, which the distillery has in abundance.

The result is married and eventually bottled at 46 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). In terms of taste, Wolfburn describes the amber-coloured whisky as a smooth liquid with a deep flavour.

See, smell, taste

Country:	Scotland
Brand	Wolfburn Distillery
Type of whisky	Single Malt
Colour:	Light amber
Scent	A mix of sweet and floral aromas, topped with a subtle hint of peat smoke.
Taste:	Deep in flavour with hints of honey, toasted sugar, sherry sweetness and soft spices.
Finish	Long with traces of dried fruit and caramel.
Age:	12 years old
Alcohol percentage:	46 percent alcohol by volume (ABV)
Bottle content:	70 centiliters
Price	Approximately 84 euros

Deep purple is the color to keep an eye on

The 12 Year Old is packaged in the familiar Wolfburn bottle but features a deep purple label, a label with which is a bit darker than the bright red one used for the 10 Year Old. It makes the bottle and packaging look stylish.

The dark glass and wooden cap complement the elegant label, making it stand out on shelves.

As usual, Wolfburn has provided the bottle and packaging with information about the distillery, the whisky and the logo. Even before you get started with the whisky, there is already plenty to enjoy.

Fun fact: The sea wolf that forms the logo of Wolfburn Distillery was believed to be able to walk on water according to Scottish and Norwegian mythology. But that's not all, the wolf was also supposed to bring luck to everyone who saw the creature.

Sweetness upfront

The Wolfburn 12 Year Old whisky initially brings a hint of sweetness. Powerful notes of flower honey come by with a scent of blooming flowers and sweet fruits such as nectarines.

After that, there are notes of spices, a little bit of maritime air and a hint of malt, while a subtle layer of peat smoke appears in the background. It’s interesting how the Wolfburn tickles your nose with a range of scents that have something tempting for every whisky drinker.

Creamy with a pepper

In the mouth, the Wolfburn is a bit creamy at first. The whisky also immediately reveals its lightly peated and maritime character with a hint of smoke, some maritime flavors and a small pepper. This is closely followed by a rich note of orchard fruit such as warm apple with caramelized sugar

Furthermore, melted caramel, notes of honey and vanilla are easy to find, along with a layered mix of dark berries, soft cherries and malt.

The fruits say goodbye to your palate relatively quickly towards the finish, while the notes of caramel and peat smoke linger a bit longer. The mouthfeel is pleasantly warming and invites for another sip.

Whisky Monkeys pairing tip: Enjoy a dram with a toast topped with a slice of mozzarella, a drop of honey and walnuts. The creaminess of the cheese, the earthiness of the walnuts and the slight spiciness of arugula bring out the tones of the whisky even more.

Conclusion Wolfburn 12 Year Old Whisky Review

With its new flagship, Wolfburn has made a choice that is not only bold but also likely to please many whisky drinkers. There is a little bit of everything to discover, but nothing dominates.

As a result, the whisky forms a beautifully balanced whole with its own distinct character. The fruit fades rather quickly in the finish, but that doesn’t take away from the enjoyment.

+ A reasonably deep profile of flavors

+ Rich and layered on the palate

+ Friendly for all, yet with a unique character

- The fruit disappears quite quickly in the finish

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