Wolfburn Langskip Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Wolfburn Langskip is an unpeated single malt Scotch whisky bottled at 58% ABV.

The name comes from the Norse longships that once worked the Caithness coastline near the distillery, which is a reasonable claim this far north. The whisky was matured entirely in first-fill bourbon casks laid down in 2013 and 2014, hand-selected years in advance for the purpose, making it the oldest release from here at the time. It is not quite a cask strength bottling, since a dash of water was added to hold the alcohol consistent, but at 58 per cent it behaves like one, and it is rich and spicy with it.

Full and warming, with vanilla, baked banana, cinnamon and a long peppery finish from the first-fill wood. Serve neat at room temperature in a tulip glass, adding water drop by drop to find the level you like. Good with dark chocolate or a strong coffee.