Wolfburn Vibrant Stills – Small Batch 8 Years Old 2016

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. The new distillery stands some 350 metres from the ruins of the old, sharing the Wolf Burn that gives both their name.

It was drawn off a single pair of Forsyths copper stills, for the light, fresh, maritime make Wolfburn is known for. Maturation in a sherry cask laid dried fruit over the coastal fruit. Past five years the make gains a fuller fruit while staying fresh. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, the wood adding much of the colour. 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. The stills came from Forsyths of Rothes, the most respected still maker in the business.

At a natural 50% it is full and lively. A crisp, coastal fruit, and the Sauternes lends honey and apricot. Soft orchard fruit and honey sit behind the cask. The close is fresh, fruit over a clean oak. This is the light coastal malt of Thurso.