Wolfburn 12 Years Old 2013 (Oloroso, Ex-Bourbon)

A Wolfburn single malt, a 12 year old from 2013, bottled at 46%. Just 960 bottles were filled. Wolfburn is a far north craft distillery at Thurso in Caithness, working by hand since 2013. Wolfburn distils, matures and bottles all on its one small site at Thurso.

Distilled slowly on soft Wolf Burn water, giving the clean, fruity coastal spirit. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. Approaching its limit of age, the spirit turns honeyed and deep. Sea air and active wood together shape the young far north spirit. 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. It is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, a stop on the North Coast 500.

At 46% it is soft, fruity and clean. Apple, citrus and a clean malt, and the Oloroso gives dried fruit and a toasted nuttiness. It is fresh and fruity, the fruit and oak well matched. The finish is bright, fruity and coastal. This is a bright young single malt from Caithness.