Wolfburn Chinese New Year 9 Years Old 2015

A Wolfburn single malt, a 9 year old from 2015, bottled at 46%. 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. It was matured in ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and a soft honey. Around six to nine years the fruit deepens into honey, apple and a soft spice. A patient maturation suits the light, coastal Wolfburn character. The new distillery stands about 350 metres from the old ruins, sharing the Wolf Burn that names them both. It is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, a stop on the North Coast 500. Everything here is done by hand, from milling to bottling, the mark of a true small distillery.

At an easy 46% it is light. A light, citrussy fruitiness, and the ex-Bourbon lends vanilla and a soft honey. It is clean and fruity, the young spirit shining through. A fruity, gently saline finish lingers. This is a fruity Highland malt from Scotland's most northerly mainland distillery.