Wolfburn No. 318

Wolfburn's Small Batch release No. 318, named for the warehouse and stow the casks came from. Bottled at 46%. Wolfburn is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, at Thurso in Caithness, where whisky has flowed again since 2013. The Kylver Series of single casks is named for the runes of an ancient Caithness stone.

The spirit was run through the distillery's one wash and one spirit still, for a clean, fruity make. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the coastal fruit. Without an age statement, it is light, coastal and fruity. 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.

At 46% it is supple and fresh. Pear, honey and a clean malt, and the Oloroso gives dried fruit and a toasted nuttiness. 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.