Wolfburn Private Cask Bottling 4 Years Old 2017

A Wolfburn single malt, a 4 year old from 2017, cask 2017#540, bottled at 59.6%. Just 95 bottles were filled. Wolfburn, at Thurso on Scotland's far north coast, revived an old Caithness distilling name when it opened in 2013. The core range runs Northland, Aurora, Morven and Langskip, each named for the far north.

Distilled by hand in a single pair of copper stills on Wolf Burn water, building the fresh far north style. An ex-Bourbon barrel or quarter cask shaped it, vanilla beneath the fruit. At a youthful age the fruit is lively and the malt clean. Sherry wood suits the light make, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. 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.

At its natural 59.6% it is concentrated. A light, citrussy fruitiness, and the bourbon cask adds vanilla and a gentle sweetness. 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.