Wolfburn The Kylver Series – 15

This is release 15 of Wolfburn's Kylver Series, its single cask bottlings, named Algiz for a Norse rune., bottled at 53.6%. Wolfburn, at Thurso on Scotland's far north coast, revived an old Caithness distilling name when it opened in 2013. Water comes from the Wolf Burn, the stream that runs past the distillery to the sea.

It was drawn off a single pair of Forsyths copper stills, for the light, fresh, maritime make Wolfburn is known for. A sherry butt held it, the wood lending raisin and walnut. With no age statement, it shows the light, fresh, fruity character of young Wolfburn. Sherry wood suits the light make, lending dried fruit and a nutty depth. The new distillery stands about 350 metres from the old ruins, sharing the Wolf Burn that names them both. It is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, a stop on the North Coast 500. Everything here is done by hand, from milling to bottling, the mark of a true small distillery.

Undiluted at 53.6%, it is powerful. A crisp, coastal fruit, and the Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth. 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.