Wolfburn 12 year old - And a partridge in a pear tree

Profile: The Wolfburn 12 year old - And a Partridge in a Pear Tree at a Glance

• Limited Christmas bottling, aged 12 years
• Traditionally matured: The casks are stored in our own dunnage warehouses
• Mature in ex-bourbon and sherry casks - filled in 2013
• Also available in a 350ml bottle with a matching label
• Natural: Bottled without added colorings & Without chill filtration

Portrait: What makes the Wolfburn 12 year old - And a Partridge in a Pear Tree so special

When it's Christmas at Wolfburn, it's a real celebration – with humor, craftsmanship, and a good dose of history. For the Christmas Release 2025, the northernmost distillery on the Scottish mainland has delved deep into its cellars and created a very special homage to the Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.

The 700ml version of the festive duo is released under the name “And a Partridge in a Pear Tree”, while the smaller sister bottle “Two Turtle Doves” comes in a 350ml size. Together they make a charming pair, almost too pretty to be opened - but of course only almost. For this limited edition, casks from 2013 were selected, which were allowed to mature for a full twelve years. This makes the whisky one of the oldest bottlings Wolfburn has ever released. The blend is composed entirely according to the classic Aurora recipe: 50% ex-bourbon and 50% ex-sherry casks – precisely the combination that has made the distillery's character so renowned, but this time with a full decade and two bonus years of maturation.

As always at Wolfburn: no rush, no shortcuts, no gimmicks – distillation here is still done by hand, slowly, carefully, and with great attention to detail.

The result is not just a special Christmas bottling, but a small time capsule of patience, tradition, and northern Scottish serenity. And while elsewhere people are still tying up their Christmas lights, at Wolfburn, one thing is already certain: this is what Christmas sounds like – at cask strength and with a twinkle in its eye.

Conclusion: A well-balanced, mature single malt with the distillery's clear signature – traditional, precise, and with a fine balance between sweetness, spice, and subtle smokiness.

Tasting Notes: This is how the Wolfburn 12 year old - And a partridge in a pear tree tastes like

• Nose: On the nose, a balanced mix of sweet and floral aromas is presented. A fine hint of peat smoke lies subtly on top without being intrusive. The aroma is harmonious, rounded, and typically Wolfburn – elegant, yet with character.
• Palate: On the palate, the whisky shows a distinct depth and balance. Sweet impressions of honey and caramelized sugar combine with gentle spices. The sherry sweetness remains consistently present, providing structure and warmth. A full-bodied impression that reflects twelve years of maturation.
• Finish: Long, smooth, and pleasantly lingering finish. Notes of dried fruit and caramel remain perceptible until the very end, giving the whisky a rounded, harmonious conclusion.