Wolfburn Highland Whisky Festival Cancelled
70cl / 46%
£59.00
- Cask type: Oak
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Chilfiltered: No
- Coloring: No
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The "Highland Whisky Festival Cancelled" release embodies a unique piece of modern distilling history.
Historical Context: A Rarity Born of Global Crisis
Wolfburn Distillery, situated in Thurso, Caithness, holds the distinction of being the most northerly mainland Scottish whisky producer since its re-establishment in 2013. The distillery is known for its commitment to traditional crafting principles, including non-chill filtration and natural colour.
The "Highland Whisky Festival Cancelled" release embodies a unique piece of modern distilling history. This limited bottling was specifically intended to commemorate the Highland Whisky Festival scheduled for May 8th–15th, 2020. However, the event was regrettably called off due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, creating a special, unplanned piece of memorabilia.
The primary factor driving the exceptional collectible value of this spirit is the profound scarcity linked directly to this narrative. The cancellation itself transformed a standard festival bottling into an immediately recognizable, time-stamped collector’s item. This limited status resulted in an extremely constrained outturn of only 660 bottles. The value of this spirit is therefore predominantly determined by this intense narrative scarcity and the low production quantity.
Technical Specifications and Production Detail
The Wolfburn Highland Whisky Festival Cancelled is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky from the Highland region. It is bottled at 70cl with an Alcohol by Volume (ABV) of 46%. It is confirmed as being non-chill filtered and retaining its natural colour.
The maturation process is crucial. The limited edition was matured exclusively in Bourbon Quarter Casks. The utilization of Quarter Casks, which are significantly smaller than standard barrels, is a strategic technical choice. The rationale behind using smaller casks is the acceleration of the maturation process, permitting the young spirit to achieve a richer, creamier, and more rounded profile much faster. This technical decision ensures that despite its youth, the spirit offers satisfying depth.
Liquid Profile: Bourbon Quarter Cask Influence
The sensory profile of this Wolfburn expression is heavily influenced by the intensive, accelerated maturation in Bourbon casks. The liquid is frequently described as having "Lots of creamy notes". The core Wolfburn bourbon-matured profile typically presents notes of honeyed malt, vanilla, and ripe fruits. The heightened wood interaction provided by the Quarter Casks naturally amplifies these characteristics, resulting in the rich, creamy texture noted in the descriptions.
Market Analysis and Sourcing Notes
The primary market dynamic for this bottle is the vast divergence between its initial offering price and its current secondary market value. The initial Recommended Retail Price (RRP) was modest, around GBP 59.00. However, its immediate scarcity and unique backstory saw secondary market pricing quickly escalate. Observed UK retail asking prices have been listed as high as GBP 174.00, with average prices in the US market noted around $105 per 750ml bottle (ex-tax).
The market performance clearly illustrates that the value of this bottle is cemented not by traditional age or intrinsic quality metrics, but by the extreme scarcity (660 bottles) and the specific, compelling narrative of the cancelled festival. This makes it a difficult bottle to acquire, commanding a significant premium for collectors seeking modern rarities defined by historical context.
