A resume of Wolfburn Whisky: A reemergence of a legendary spirit?
Sipping on the Resurrected: Wolfburn Whisky
Step into the world of the revived, Wolfburn Whisky - a tipple that's making heads turn after a 150-year hiatus. Situated on the northernmost edge of Scotland's mainland, the Wolfburn Distillery takes a leaf (or rather, a stream) from Wolf Burn, nestled nearby. This area is home to 'the flow country', a significant expanse of peatland storing a whopping 400 million tonnes of carbon, more than even Britain's woodlands.
The distillery was the brainchild of William Smith in 1821, built from the world-rare Caithness flagstone. By 1826, Wolfburn towered above the competition, producing a staggering 125,000 liters of spirit. But by 1872, when the first Ordnance Survey map was drawn, the distillery lay in ruins, with the reason for its decline remaining a mystery. Despite Thurso's bustling port and the arrival of the railway, the distillery couldn't escape the fate that had befallen it.
The spirits didn't begin to flow again until 2011, when building permits were granted just 350m from the original site. By 2014, the first cask was filled and Warehouse No.1 was brimming by 2019.
Twice-distilled and never chill-filtered, Wolfburn bottles different lines depending on the casks they've matured in, such as first-fill bourbon or Oloroso sherry. Some carry a subtle peatiness, while the Kylver Series, named for an ancient inscribed runestone from 400 AD, uses one-of-a-kind casks. Wolfburn's small-batch whiskies are a limited offering, produced with standout casks yielding results described as 'often complex, sometimes experimental, and always intriguing'.
These young, characterful whiskies are worth keeping an eye out for, and Wolfburn's unique logo should make them easy to identify. Coincidentally, or perhaps fittingly, Wolfburn took its branding from an illustration by Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner.
Gessner was an extraordinary Renaissance intellect whose roles ranged from city physician to dictionary author to European species cataloger. His illustrations graced Historiae Animalium and found their way into Edward Topsell's 1607 The History of Four-Footed Beasts. The creature chosen as Wolfburn's emblem resembles a hyena with a spine-length dorsal fin.
While wolves may have once roamed Scotland during Gessner's time, the illustration showcases the wulver or sea-wolf, a mythical creature said to bring good fortune to those who spot it. Will Wolfburn Whisky enjoy similarly fortuitous fate? Only time will reveal the answer, but until then, let's raise a glass to the flow country, the revival of distilling in this region, and the spirit of renaissance itself.
Fun Fact: Gessner's work contributed significantly to the early science of taxonomy. He recorded and categorized numerous species and created an impressive 'database' of the first century of print, often referred to as a compendium of all published books.
Trivia: The wulver is a Scottish folklore creature said to have a dark red body, a dorsal fin reminiscent of a fish, sharp teeth, and a threatening demeanor. It's said to be responsible for misfortunes and sudden deaths, but also seen as a neutral guardian of the wild.
- One might find an intriguing eco-lifestyle book that delves into the significance of 'flow country' and its impact on global carbon storage.
- In the realm of education and self-development, a captivating course could explore the historical revival of Whisky distilleries like Wolfburn, tracing their roots and discussing the role of pioneers like William Smith.
- For entertainment, a podcast about food-and-drink could feature an episode on the unique flavor profiles of Wolfburn Whisky and the role of its logistics in maintaining the whisky's quality, from the pristine waters of Wolf Burn to the eco-friendly practices at the home-and-garden of the distillery.
