Wolfburn Vibrant Stills – Small Batch 8 Years Old 2015

A Small Batch release from Wolfburn, named for the warehouse and stow the casks came from. An 8 year old, bottled at 50%. Wolfburn brought whisky back to Thurso in 2013, reviving a name first raised in 1821 just up the burn. 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. It was matured in ex-Bourbon oak, lending vanilla and a soft honey. Past five years the make gains a fuller fruit while staying fresh. The cool, salt laden far north air works into the dunnage warehouses by the burn. Hand filling and hand labelling are still the rule in the warehouses here. A young distillery, Wolfburn has built a following quickly since its first single malt in 2016. The far north air, salt laden and cool, lends the maturing spirit a coastal edge.

At cask strength 50% it is muscular yet fresh. A crisp, coastal fruit, and the ex-Bourbon lends vanilla and a soft honey. 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.