Wolfburn Bourbon Aged Whisky

Wolfburn Bourbon Aged Whisky, a single malt from the far north distillery at Thurso, bottled at 46%. Just 127 bottles were filled. Wolfburn is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, at Thurso in Caithness, where whisky has flowed again since 2013. The new distillery stands some 350 metres from the ruins of the old, sharing the Wolf Burn that gives both their name.

It was worked through the distillery's small copper stills, for a light, citrussy spirit with a sea air lift. A refill bourbon cask held it, keeping the clean character to the fore. Carrying no age, it leans on apple, citrus and a clean malt. Hand filled and hand bottled, each cask is followed closely from fill to glass. 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.

At 46% it is smooth and fresh. Green apple, vanilla and a sea air lift, and the refill bourbon lends a quiet vanilla. The mouthfeel is light, the fruit carried on a clean body. A long, fruity finish carries a coastal lift. This is a clean, fruity Highland single malt.