Wolfburn Private Cask 540/2017

Quite a few aficionados have signed up fort heir own cask at this young distillery. A private cask as it is called. My whisky buddy Tom Haseldonckx is one of them. He had Wolfburn fill up a bourbon quarter cask with spirit in December 2017 and put his name on it. He’ll have to be patient for another two years before the whisky can be bottled as such, but obviously he monitors his cask closely by having samples sent over regularly. I was given the honor of trying it and permission to blog about it, so let’s get to it!

Wat a nice and promising nose. Soft notes of vanilla and lime zest, dried coconut, the opening of a fresh pack of sultanas and some green plums. Gooseberries in the background. There is a floral hint with some green hummus. Crystal sugar with two grains of salt (seriously, Mark?). Surprisingly creamy for such a young spirit.

Very creamy and powerful on the palate. Unmistakably new make that has only just kissed some wood, but already with quite some esters developed. The saltiness comes first, before the sweet notes that I detected on the nose shine through. Lots of citrus and coconut joined by green plums and sweet malt. Vanilla and liquorice. A bit candy-like. Pear drops. Well, it is young, but very promising indeed.

Medium long finish that begins sweet, then becomes spicy on liquorice and a first hint of ginger, to finally die a salty death, revealing its maritime character.

Wow, what a lovely embryonic Wolfburn! Tom, where do I sign up for a bottle, or two, or three or four… once this baby is mature?