Wolfburn Gessner

Wolfburn Gessner, a single malt from the far north distillery at Thurso, bottled at 55%. Just 1440 bottles were filled. Set on the wild Caithness coast at Thurso, Wolfburn has made single malt since 2013. Everything is done by hand here, from milling to bottling, in the manner of a true small distillery.

The spirit was made by hand in copper stills at Thurso, to build a soft, fruity, coastal character. A refill bourbon cask held it, keeping the clean character to the fore. Without an age statement, it is light, coastal and fruity. Years in oak round the spirit, the fruit and a coastal salt deepening with age. 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 a hearty 55% it carries real punch. A fresh, fruity coastal sweetness, and the refill bourbon lends a quiet vanilla. Beneath it run apple, citrus and a soft malt. It closes fresh, fruity and clean. This is a light, fresh Highland single malt from the far north.