Wolfburn A Little Something Different (LMDW)

Bottled by La Maison du Whisky, this Wolfburn, a 3 year old from 2013 and at 50%. Set on the wild Caithness coast at Thurso, Wolfburn has made single malt since 2013. The original Wolfburn was founded in 1821 by William Smith and was once the largest distillery in Caithness, falling silent in the 1860s.

The spirit was made by hand in copper stills at Thurso, to build a soft, fruity, coastal character. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the coastal fruit. Still young, it is fresh and fruity with a coastal lift. Quarter casks, smaller than usual, speed the exchange between spirit and wood. The Kylver Series gathers single casks named for the runes of an ancient Caithness stone. Water is drawn from the Wolf Burn, the stream that runs past the distillery to the sea. Wolfburn distils, matures and bottles all on its one small site at Thurso. The stills came from Forsyths of Rothes, the most respected still maker in the business.

At a full 50% it is bold and fruity. A fresh, fruity coastal sweetness, and the Oloroso lends raisin, walnut and a dried fruit richness. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. The close is fresh, fruit over a clean oak. This is the light coastal malt of Thurso.