Wolfburn Releases Its Fourth Permanent Expression: Langskip

Wolfburn Distillery has today launched its fourth permanent single malt whisky expression, named ‘Langskip.  Following the global success of the Northland, Aurora and Morven expressions, Langskip is bottled at a much higher alcohol percentage (58%) – making it as close as possible to a cask-strength release.  Initial orders are already far beyond the forecast number.

‘We’ve crafted Langskip from whisky matured in casks laid down in 2013 and 2014,’ commented Shane Fraser, distillery manager. ‘It’s our oldest release to date. The casks are all first-fill bourbon barrels, which make spectacularly good whisky. The result is a truly special single malt, bursting with flavour. It is lovely to see the great reviews it has already received.’

Wolfburn’s strongest expression takes its name from the Norse word for longship – the Viking vessels that once dominated the Caithness coast. Sleek, smooth, purposeful and strong, the legacy of these ships surrounds the Wolfburn distillery – in addition to settlements and burial sites, Wolfburn’s home town of Thurso was named by the Vikings in honour of the god Thor.

‘Malt fanatics worldwide have long asked us to do a cask-strength release.’ states Shane. ‘This is as close as we can make it currently. It really is a very pure Wolfburn flavour profile – the nose and palate are both smooth and complex. We’re totally delighted with the result.’

Shane Fraser (distillery manager) and Iain Kerr (deputy manager) with Langskip bottles

ABOUT WOLFBURN:

The original Wolfburn Distillery was founded just to the west of Thurso by William Smith in 1821.  In its day it was one of the largest distilleries in Scotland, producing, according to HMRC records, 28,056 “gallons of proof spirit” in a single year.  Taking its name from the stream that provided the water – the Wolf Burn – the distillery operated until around 1870.  The reasons for its closure are lost in time, but by 1877 the newly produced Ordnance Survey maps showed it being in ruins.

In 2011 plans were laid to resurrect the old distillery. Construction began in 2012 and in January 2013 the new Wolfburn Distillery commenced production, thereby becoming the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland.  Situated 300m from the site of the original distillery, the new Wolfburn operates in much the same way as the old: craftsmen use traditional methods to produce fine spirit, which is laid down in best quality oak casks to await the day when it is bottled as single malt scotch whisky.  Wolfburn’s single malt scotch whiskies are now available in 26 countries globally.

Wolfburn Distillery, Henderson Park, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7XW

www.wolfburn.com

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