Wolfburn Takashimaya

Wolfburn Takashimaya, a single malt from the far north distillery at Thurso, bottled at 58.7%. Wolfburn is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, at Thurso in Caithness, where whisky has flowed again 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 run through the distillery's one wash and one spirit still, for a clean, fruity make. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. No age is given, but the fresh fruit marks it as young Wolfburn. A long fermentation builds the fruity esters the casks then frame. 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. The distillery sits among the rugged scenery of Caithness, near the cliffs and beaches of the north coast.

At a full 58.7% it is bold and fruity. Pear, honey and a clean malt, and sherried dried fruit and a nutty edge come through. The texture is light and fresh, the fruit lifted by a coastal salt. The finish runs light, coastal and crisp. This is Wolfburn's clean, coastal Thurso single malt.