Wolfburn Distillery: History, Owner, Range and Visitor Guide
Updated: 22 hours ago
Wolfburn in Thurso describes itself as the most northerly distillery on mainland Scotland. It is a revival: a small distillery that began in 1821, vanished within a few decades, and was rebuilt from scratch in 2013.
In this guide
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Wolfburn at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Region | Highland, Scotland |
Ownership | Private Highland ownership |
History | Historic name dates to 1821; modern revival 2010s |
Whisky and production | Revived distilling in Thurso, Caithness |
Named expressions | Wolfburn Northland, Wolfburn Aurora, Wolfburn Morven |
Visits | Verify public access, current tours and opening times with the distillery before travelling. |
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Where is Wolfburn distillery?
At Henderson Park, Thurso, Caithness (postcode KW14 7XW), on the north coast of Scotland. The Single Cask notes that island distilleries such as Highland Park and Scapa in Orkney sit further north, so the title applies to the mainland only.
Wolfburn history
The original Wolfburn was founded just west of Thurso in 1821 by William Smith and took its water, and its name, from the Wolf Burn. Tax returns show it produced 28,056 total gallons of proof spirit in 1826, roughly 125,000 litres, making it the biggest distillery in Caithness at the time. It is thought to have stopped in the 1860s, though the exact date is debated. The 1872 Ordnance Survey map marks it as a ruin, but the words 'In ruin' were removed from the 1877 edition, so production may have lasted longer. No photographs of the original are known.
In 2012 a private consortium won planning approval to build a new Wolfburn at Henderson Park, about 350 metres from the old site and still using the Wolf Burn. The Single Cask names the owner as Aurora Brewing, the private Caithness group behind the revival. Production began in early 2013 (The Single Cask gives 25 January). An on-site bottling hall opened in February 2016 and the first whisky launched globally in March 2016.
The range has grown step by step. Wikipedia says the first age statement, a 10 year old, arrived in 2023, and in 2025 two 8 year olds and a new 12 year old flagship followed. Wikipedia also reports that Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2026 awarded gold medals to the entire core range.
How Wolfburn is made
Capacity: around 125,000 litres of pure alcohol a year (The Single Cask)
Mash tun: one tonne, semi lauter
Washbacks: three stainless steel washbacks of 9,000 litres, fermenting for 55 to 72 hours with Anchor dry yeast
Stills: one wash still (5,500 litres) and one spirit still (3,600 litres), double distilled
Casks: mainly ex-bourbon, plus American oak quarter casks, bourbon hogsheads and second-fill oloroso sherry hogsheads
Bottling: natural colour and non-chill filtered, according to the distillery
Wolfburn range
According to the official site, the core range is double distilled, natural colour and non-chill filtered.
8 Year Old Northland, American oak quarter casks
10 Year Old, 100 percent sherry cask
12 Year Old, second-fill Oloroso hogsheads and ex-bourbon casks
Aurora, American oak and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks
Morven, lightly peated, ex-bourbon barrels and quarter casks
Langskip, first-fill ex-bourbon casks at 58% ABV
The current website also lists 12 Year Old Madeira Cask Finish, made from spirit matured for eleven years in ex-bourbon casks and finished for 12 months in Madeira, plus Small Batch releases, the Kylver Series and a single malt whisky liqueur called Pentland. The 12 Year Old is bottled at 46% and Langskip at 58%.
Visiting
The distillery runs tours, booked through the official site, and has a shop. The tours email on the official site is tours@wolfburn.com. Check current times and prices before you go.
Official website
https://wolfburn.com/
Sources
What makes Wolfburn distinctive?
Revived distilling in Thurso, Caithness
Wolfburn whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Wolfburn Northland | NAS / batch varies | Check bottle | Revived distilling in Thurso, Caithness |
Wolfburn Aurora | NAS / batch varies | Check bottle | Revived distilling in Thurso, Caithness |
Wolfburn Morven | NAS / batch varies | Check bottle | Revived distilling in Thurso, Caithness |
This compares documented expressions, not live shop stock. Strength, age, casks and availability can vary by release; check the producer's bottle information.
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Frequently asked questions about Wolfburn
Where is Wolfburn?
In Thurso, Caithness.
When was Wolfburn founded?
1821, and revived in 2013.
Who owns Wolfburn?
The Single Cask names Aurora Brewing, a private Caithness group. The official site does not name a parent company on its home page.
Is Wolfburn peated?
The core style is unpeated according to The Single Cask. Morven is described by the distillery as having a delicate touch of peat.
What is in the core range?
8 Year Old Northland, 10 Year Old, 12 Year Old, Aurora, Morven and Langskip.
Sources and editorial checks
Original historical research and source notes are preserved in this guide. Producer details, distillery access and releases may change.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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