Availability
Wolves
This variation of Wolves signature blend incorporates a 7-year old whiskey distilled from California Pale Ale, and 6 and 7 year-old rye whiskeys with a higher rye-content. The other whiskey in the blend was distilled from Stout beer, aged in used French Oak for 9 years. The label is made of wine card stock.
Nose – Honeysuckle, citrus, hops, milk chocolate, black cherry, warm vanilla.
Tasting Notes – Tangerine, dark chocolate, hops, oak, citrus, nutmeg.
Finish – Long and warm on the front pallet, rising spice on the finish.
$145
Archive
Malted Barley Series, Lot One
Lot One of the Malted Barley Series is Wolves’ first Single Malt expression. These 12 barrels were distilled in 2015 in an antique alambic brandy still, from two-row pale malted barley, and fermented with California Ale yeast. A range of oak treatments from light toast to Char 3, along with alternating Hungarian and American heads, were applied across the 12 barrels. 11 of the 12 barrels were blended together and bottled at 110 proof for this expression.
A wolf in sheep’s clothing, the sheepskin label is printed with UV light, and laid by hand in Los Angeles.
Nose – Maple syrup, orange, currant, vanilla, and honey.
Tasting Notes – Dark chocolate, port, stone fruit, oak, oats.
Finish – Steady resolution, front to back.
Wolves x Undefeated Signature Blend
This collaboration blend is an excellent representation of Wolves’ signature blend. It contains a higher pilsner whiskey content than some prior releases, and drinks well in the cold weather. The craft Stout and Pilsner beer whiskeys were distilled over a 10 day period in a small, alambic pot still that was imported from Cognac, France in 1983. These beer distillates were aged in used French oak and New American oak, respectively. The vanilla, hops, and sweetness on the front palate is cut by the spice of the Indiana rye whiskey on the finish. The result is a decadent flavor and texture experience.
“Undefeated” was bottled at 103 Proof, with each bottle wrapped by hand in an Olive sheepskin label. Arrives with a canvas sleeve.
Spring Run, Batch Two
Spring Run, Batch Two. Spring 2022. A higher Pilsner content put forward a large and bold mid-palate on this variation of Wolves’ signature blend. Pale pink sheepskin. 916 bottles were produced.
Winter Run, Batch Two
Winter Run, Batch Two. Winter 2022. The additional time in the barrel brought additional depth and complexity to the mid palate. 753 bottles were produced for this 103 proof run. Each bottle was wrapped by hand in a sheepskin label.
Spring Run
Spring Run. Spring 2021. Robins’ Egg Blue.
Winter Run
Winter Run. Winter 2019. Wolves second release of its signature blend. The 1338 bottles exhibited a high-Stout whiskey content. Each bottle is wrapped by hand in a sheepskin label.
First Run
First Run was Wolves’ premier release. May 2019. It was a blend of California whiskeys distilled in a rare copper Alambic pot still imported from Cognac, France. 898 bottles were produced. Each bottle is wrapped by hand in a sheepskin label.
Story
Wolves is American whiskey made in California from an equally creative group of founders, also based in California. Wolves is distilled in Sonoma County by 13th generation Master Distiller Marko Karakasevic using an old, slow, brandy still that was imported from Cognac in 1983.
Uniquely, Wolves signature blend consists of whiskey created from refined craft beer, and Rye whiskey. The flavor profile is unlike anything else on the market.
Process
Master Distiller Marko Karakasevic creates a small batch (10 barrels) of distillate over a 10-day period, sleeping in four hour shifts so that he alone can make each cut, selecting “the heart of hearts” for double distillation in the small still. The distillation process is far less efficient than an industry-standard column still, but the end result is whiskey with more body, flavor, and viscosity.
In between each release, the Pilsner, Stout, and Rye whiskeys continue to age and change in the Oak. The Wolves team recreates the blend for each release, adjusting the percentages and proofs of the Stout, Pilsner, and Rye whiskeys to find the right balance for that particular moment in time. This process takes more than a dozen attempts and a few weeks to get right.
The full blend is finally cut with the mineral rich water from the Russian River.
Presentation
Each bottle is wrapped by hand with auto-grade vinyl and finally with Italian sheepskin. The glass is heavy and French-Cut, allowing the sheepskin label to lay flush against the glass. The cork top is made of maple wood.
Each bottle is numbered and dated by hand.
Allocation
Wolves is digitally native. We are not available in stores except in rare cases.
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Heresay
Special Projects
Undefeated
Wolves and Undefeated teamed up to produce a small capsule of apparel and a 520-bottle release of Wolves’ signature blend, hand-wrapped in Olive sheepskin. “As a partner and creative in both, I selfishly wanted to put the brands together,” noted James Bond. The project will be exclusively available on the Wolves’ website on December 15, 2022. Sign up for Allocation to be notified of the sale.
The Hotel Series
Wolves annually releases a collaboration whiskey with a hotel. The first release in The Hotel Series, titled Table 9, was with the Peninsula Beverly Hills. Table 9 is a variation of Wolves signature blend, with a high-pilsner content, and is named after the most sought after table in the hotel.
The bottle was not be sold to the public, and is available exclusively in the hotel. Certain Wolves clients were invited to purchase a bottle as well. 320 bottles were produced.
In celebration of the partnership, Michelin-starred chef of The Peninsula, Ralf Schlegel, prepared a private, four-course dinner experience at the hotel, with each course paired with a different Wolves expression.
The Rye Project
The Rye Project is a series of Rye expressions anchored by a very low-content (51%) rye whiskey aged for 6 years in new American oak. We are starting from a place of sweet more than spice, and going from there. No barrel finishes, no gimmicks. We aim to deliver straightforward and balanced Rye collaborations in a low-rye format.
Volume One of the Rye Project was in collaboration with Willett Family Estate. Wolves and Willett Master Distiller Drew Kulsveen selected barrels of 7 and 6 year straight Rye whiskey with a 74% Rye mash bill from House A, South Rick 14, and House H, South Rick 6. Between the the 51% Rye and the Family Estate Rye barrels, we found balance in a Willett-dominant blend and at 103 proof for Batch1, and released Batch Two at Barrel Strength.
The Quail
Wolves is an annual participant at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering – the pinnacle of automotive excellence. Wolves provides a tasting experience and limited run to Rally Participants and guests.
Wolves is tapped annually to create an award for Best of Show at the Quail. For this, in 2021, we ripped the seat out of a rare 1974 Porsche Carrera RS “Ducktail,” made a label from the leather, and wrapped it around a one-of-one 24 year aged California brandy.
In 2022, we executed a similar award with leather from the seat of a 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso and a bottle of our unreleased 11 year old California single malt whiskey.
Rolls-Royce
Wolves partnered with Rolls-Royce on the North America rollout of the Rolls-Royce Ghost – Black Badge Edition. In partnership, Wolves designed and produced a run of whiskey titled “The Black Badge” to celebrate the release of one of the finest automobiles in the world, and poured the whiskey at private Rolls-Royce events around North America. The collaboration is a celebration of bespoke, handmade product with the most finely detailed, bespoke automobile in the world.
