【Exclusive Interview】Richard Paterson OBE & Jamie Lunn – Wolfcraig Distillers

Wolfcraig Distillers is a newborn Scotch whisky brand established in 2020. The distillery will be built in Stirling, and it released its finest blended whiskies.
Richard Paterson, the Master Blender of Wolfcraig Distillers, is a legendary icon in the Scotch whisky industry. Having worked in the whisky industry for over half a century, he has been a highly influential figure, and he is also known as ‘The Nose’.
Jamie Lunn is the co-founder of Wolfcraig along with with his Father, Michael Lunn, who unfortunately passed away last year. Jamie was raised in Glasgow, receiving a whisky education from his father and in January 2020, they founded the Wolfcraig project, where he passionately leads the team, carrying on his father’s legacy.

Richard and Jamie travelled to Japan this February to hold the launch event of Wolfcraig in Tokyo, where they showcased their finest whiskies. We were fortunate enough to interview them the day before the event and learn more about the story of Wolfcraig Distillers and their newly released whiskies.

(Photos taken at: Bar Five Arrows)

The Basic Information of Wolfcraig Distillers

Company’s Name	Wolfcraig Distillers
Year of Establishment	2020
Founder	Michael Lunn and Jamie Lunn
Location	Craigforth Campus, Stirling, United Kingdom
Official Website	Wolfcraig Distillers (Official Website) Wolfcraig Japan (Japan Official Website)

About Wolfcraig Distillers

Stirling-The historical capital of Scotland

Dear WHISKY：
Having the newborn distillery in Stirling, what are the charms of this city?

Richard：
Stirling has played a significant role in Scotland’s history, as it was the old capital of Scotland. The city boasts a rich history, with many historic landmarks including the formidable Stirling Castle and The National Wallace Monument. It is also the birthplace of ‘The Legend of Wolfcraig’, where we derived the name ‘Wolfcraig’.

Dear WHISKY：
What are the benefits of establishing a distillery in Stirling?

Richard：
Stirling is near the Highlands and Lowlands border, by the River Forth, making it a gateway to the Highland region. It has a good access to major cities such as Glasgow or Edinburgh, so we are willing to encourage people to come and visit our distillery.

The legend of Wolfcraig

Dear WHISKY：
Could you tell us about ‘The Legend of Wolfcraig’?

Richard：
 ‘The Legend of Wolfcraig’ is a Scottish legend that originates in Stirling. Legend has it that Norse invaders were about to attack a garrison of Celts who had settled on the banks of the wild River Forth. One of the Norsemen stepped on the wolf cub’s paw as they crept up at night. Awakened from his sleep, the wolf cub howled at the mother wolf, who then raised the alarm to the sleeping garrison. A battle was ensured, and the Celts drove off the Norsemen. Since then, the wolves have been the protectors of Stirling, and this battle has been known as ‘Wolfcraig’.

An Innovative House Style

The current lineup of whiskies

Dear WHISKY：
How many products do you have on your current lineup?

Jamie：
We have four products. Wolfcraig 30 Year Old Premium Blend, Wolfcraig 35 Year Old Premium Blended Grain Scotch Whisky, Wolfcraig 14 Year Old Deluxe Blend Triple Sherry Cask and Wolfcraig Gin.

Dear WHISKY：
What was your approach when creating your products?

Richard：
All four of our products are crafted to meet the discerning palates of our consumers. We will get on to each of their characters later, but most importantly, all three whiskies have been bottled at a natural strength of 46% alcohol. This enables the drinkers to customise their drinking experience by adding an appropriate amount of water suitable to their preference. This practice also ensures that the whisky is enjoyed in ideal condition.

Flavour profiles

Dear WHISKY：
What kind of flavour profile would you like for newly produced whisky to have?

Richard：
Our whiskies will have a full body and character. We aim to create a smooth and silky whisky with citrus notes, which will be manipulated by maturing in the proper cask.

Producing high-end whiskies

Dear WHISKY：
Could you please explain the ideas or principles that inspired the creation of your whiskies?

Jamie：
We have noticed a shift in the drinking culture. People are now more interested in the quality of their drinks rather than the quantity. We have focused on producing high-quality whiskies at Wolfcraig to reflect this change. These whiskies are aged and limited edition, which makes them luxurious and sought after. Quality is paramount to us.

The daring design of Wolfcraig whisky bottles

Dear WHISKY：
What’s the idea behind the unique appearance of the Wolfcraig whiskies?

Jamie：
We recognize that the younger generation are willing to spend money on premium products, and prioritize quality over quantity. Our main focus is on ensuring the quality of our whisky, and we also wanted a bespoke bottle design to make sure it was aesthetically pleasing.

Wolfcraig 30 Year Old Premium Blend Scotch Whisky

Basic information

Product Name	Wolfcraig 30 Year Old Premium Blend
Age	30 Years Old
Abv	46.3%
Type	Blended Whisky
Award	Global Scotch Whisky Masters Awards 2023 – Gold Medal (19-30 Year Old Blended Category)

Outline

Dear WHISKY：
Could you give us the outline of this product?

Richard：
This is the first whisky we have ever produced. Once the blend was completed, we transferred it to specially selected Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks and let the whisky further mature for 26 months. This ageing process gives the whisky softness and richness, combining the malts and the grains.

Notes & tastes

Dear WHISKY：
What character does it have in terms of notes?

Richard：
The softness and richness of this whisky is outstanding. It is because of the long ageing years and the 26 months of marriage in the cask. The notes of manuka honey also bring body and harmony bringing similarities to an XO cognac. It is a suitable drink after dinner, and its bold and luxurious flavour will last in your mouth for a long time.

Wolfcraig 35 Year Old Blended Grain Scotch Whisky

Basic information

Product Name	Wolfcraig 35 Year Old Blended Grain Scotch Whisky
Age	35 Years Old
Abv	46.8%
Type	Blended Grain Whisky

Outline

Dear WHISKY：
What makes this product unique?

Richard：
Unlike blended whisky, this 35 year old whisky comprises an assemblage of grain whiskies. The grains used in our products were distilled at closed distilleries: Cambus, Caledonian, and Port Dundas. Fortunately, we could get the casks from these distilleries that are no longer operational, making this whisky special and unique.

Notes & tastes

Dear WHISKY：
What are the characteristics of this whisky?

Richard：
As you bring the glass of whisky closer to your nose, you’ll be greeted with a delightful and inviting aroma that will awaken your senses. Take a deep breath, and you’ll notice the subtle hints of sweet melon, juicy grape pulp, tangy pineapple, rich white chocolate, smooth caramel, and sweet manuka honey.

Dear WHISKY：
How do you recomend having this 35 Year Old Premiumm Blended Grain Scotch Whisky as well as 30 Year Old Premium Blend?

Richard：
This smooth and silky 35 year old grain whisky is incredibly seductive. It has a light body, light enough to have without adding any water, making it ideal for a pre-dinner drink. If you want something heavier to enjoy after dinner, you can have the 30 year old blended whisky.

Wolfcraig 14 Year Old Deluxe Blend Triple Sherry Cask

Basic information

Product Name	Wolfcraig 14 Year Old Deluxe Blend Triple Sherry Cask
Age	14 Years Old
Abv	46.1%
Type	Blended Whisky

Outline

Dear WHISKY：
What did you focus on for this product?

Richard：
After our seasoning programme the outstanding quality went beyond our expectations It was matured in three types of sherry casks: Amontillado, Pedro Ximenez, and Moscatel. The creaminess of the whisky is owed to the Amontillado, which contributes to its overall richness. I believe this bold and majestic character appeals to everyone.

Notes & tastes

Dear WHISKY：
What are the characteristics like?

Richard：
You will sense the lovely citrus, orchard fruits and honey coming through the smoothness. The fruity hints of sun-kissed raisins show the outstanding contribution of the sherry casks, but it is also not dominated by the sherry, and the creaminess brings a warm feeling to the whisky.

Wolfcraig Gin

Basic information

Product Name	Wolfcraig Gin
Abv	44.5%
Botanicals	Juniper, Orange Peel, Vibrant Lemon, Cassia, Raspberry, Wild Thyme, Scottish botanicals from the wild landscapes of Stirling
Award	Global Gin Masters Awards 2023 – Gold Medal (Ultra Premium Category)

Outline

Dear WHISKY：
What are the characteristics of this gin?

Jamie：
We used botanicals from the Stirling area and produced it using a traditional method. When macerating the botanicals, we add them to the pot still, and by doing so, the botanicals add fruitiness when they vaporise. Its traditional smooth taste allows you to feel the richness of the juniper berries.

Notes & tastes

Dear WHISKY：
How do you recommend tasting this gin?

Jamie：
We usually let people try it neat at first because the roundness and the smoothness are unbelievable for a gin. It is uncommon to have a gin straight, but by doing so, you can enjoy the silky texture of it. We also recommend serving the gin into a rocks glass and adding 75-100ml of light fever tonic, which enhances the floral notes of the gin without being overpowering.

How to Taste Whiskies?

Choosing the right glass

Dear WHISKY：
What is the particular whisky glass you always use?

Richard：
When tasting whisky, it’s essential to use the right glass. A Copita glass is an excellent choice because of its unique shape. The short stem and bulbous bowl allow you to bring the glass right up to your nose without any space in between. This is ideal for nosing because it will enable you to fully immerse yourself in the aroma of the whisky and pick up on all the subtle notes.

Step-by-step guide

Dear WHISKY：
What is the correct way to nose whisky?

Richard：
Firstly, you must swirl the whisky around the glass, bring it up to the nose and say, ‘Hello’, ‘How are you?’, ‘Quite well’, ‘Thank you very much’ . To properly sense the notes, use either of your nostrils. Once you have identified the best nostril, take your time and inhale slowly. Remember to enjoy the experience.

Give the whisky the time it matured

Dear WHISKY：
What is the most critical factor in tasting whisky?

Richard：
Once again, the key to enjoying whisky is taking time. When drinking whisky, some people knock it back like a cowboy, but this is something you should not do. To create whisky, it takes time. Although it depends on your whisky, all whiskies have matured for years, sometimes decades.

Dear WHISKY：
How exactly should you drink the whisky?

Richard：
I want you to keep the whisky in your mouth and give it time as much as it has matured. For instance, if you have a 30 years old whisky, you need to keep it in your mouth for at least 30 seconds before swallowing.

Dear WHISKY：
What is the purpose of keeping whisky in the mouth?

Richard：
When tasting whisky, you want to look at and investigate its flavours. To do so, once you put whisky in your mouth, it should go on the top of your tongue, underneath it and then back in the middle. The more you keep it in your mouth, the more you extract the flavours.

Dear WHISKY：
What is the key to enjoying the aftertaste of whisky?

Richard：
After letting it go down your throat, wait for ten seconds and then all the notes and flavours start to emerge. If you find the whisky too strong, add a suitable amount of still water, making it easier to enjoy the flavours.

Exclusive Wolfcraig Japan Launch Event

Releasing Wolfcraig in Japan

Dear WHISKY：
What made you bring Wolfcraig to Japan?

Jamie：
Japan has a rich drinking culture, with whisky bars being particularly popular, and Japanese people really appreciate the quality and the experience of drinking whisky. Just like Scotland, Japan has a rich history in whisky making and we see it has a huge market which we are excited to get involved in.

Richard：
I have always loved Japan. This is because they take excellent care of the product, such as how they produce, wrap and serve the whisky, and they are highly respectful, which I admire. We believe getting recognition here is essential for Wolfcraig, and we want to achieve it by conveying to people how to enjoy whisky.

At Last

Wolfcraig Distillers, a newborn brand that has only started its long journey, started producing the finest whiskies. This distillery combines traditional techniques with innovative house style and is set to expand its range in the future with a house style that blends tradition and innovation. Richard Paterson and Jamie Lunn shared a solid passion for this new brand, and have a clear vision of the future of Wolfcraig and Scotch whisky. And most of all, they are huge lovers of whisky.