Wolfburn No. 458

Wolfburn's Small Batch release No. 458, named for the warehouse and stow the casks came from. A 7 year old, bottled at 46%. Founded in 2013, Wolfburn is a small, hand run distillery at Thurso in Caithness. 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. Ex-Sherry wood added a dried fruit richness to the fresh make. Around six to nine years the fruit deepens into honey, apple and a soft spice. A young distillery, Wolfburn leans on active casks, the wood shaping much of the flavour. The core range runs Northland, Aurora, Morven and Langskip, names drawn from the far north. 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.

Bottled at 46%, it is rounded. Apple, citrus and a clean malt, and the Pedro Ximenez lends raisin, date and treacle. 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.