Wolfburn Single Cask Series 4 Years Old 2015

A Wolfburn single malt, a 4 year old from 2015, cask 70 / 2015, bottled at 56.1%. Just 215 bottles were filled. Wolfburn is a far north craft distillery at Thurso in Caithness, working by hand since 2013. It is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, on the North Coast 500 at Thurso.

Distilled slowly on soft Wolf Burn water, giving the clean, fruity coastal spirit. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the fresh fruit. At a youthful age the fruit is lively and the malt clean. A long fermentation builds the fruity esters the casks then frame. The stills came from Forsyths of Rothes, the most respected still maker in the business. The distillery sits among the rugged scenery of Caithness, near the cliffs and beaches of the north coast. Hand filling and hand labelling are still the rule in the warehouses here. A young distillery, Wolfburn has built a following quickly since its first single malt in 2016.

At 56.1%, undiluted, it is bright and full. Apple, citrus and a clean malt, and vanilla and a soft oak come from the bourbon wood. A vanilla and a sea air note give it lift. Apple, honey and a sea air lift see out the finish. This is a fresh, maritime far north single malt.