Wolfburn Single Cask 7 Years Old 2013

A Wolfburn single malt, a 7 year old from 2013, cask 802, bottled at 52%. Just 597 bottles were filled. Wolfburn, at Thurso on Scotland's far north coast, revived an old Caithness distilling name when it opened in 2013. Wolfburn distils, matures and bottles all on its one small site at Thurso.

Distilled by hand in a single pair of copper stills on Wolf Burn water, building the fresh far north style. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the coastal fruit. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper coastal fruit. Sherry wood suits the light make, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. The far north air, salt laden and cool, lends the maturing spirit a coastal edge. The original Wolfburn, founded in 1821 by William Smith, was once the largest distillery in Caithness before falling silent in the 1860s. The new distillery stands about 350 metres from the old ruins, sharing the Wolf Burn that names them both.

At cask strength 52% it is muscular yet fresh. A light, citrussy fruitiness, and the Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle. A green apple and a citrus note lift it. It finishes clean, fresh and fruity. This is Wolfburn, the far north Highland malt.