Wolfburn The Kylver Series – 2

An early and limited Highland single malt showcasing Wolfburn’s distinct maritime character framed by Oloroso sherry.

At-a-Glance

Historical Context

Wolfburn Distillery, situated in Thurso, Caithness, holds the distinction of being the northernmost mainland distillery in Scotland, having been revived in 2013. The Kylver Series was conceived by Wolfburn to highlight special casks and small batch bottlings that possess distinct maturity or unique cask characteristics, stepping beyond their established core releases. The series name, taken from a Viking burial stone featuring the Elder Futhark runic alphabet, reflects the deep Norse heritage of the Caithness region.

Kylver Series No. 2, featuring the 'Ūruz' rune (meaning 'wild ox' or 'water') on its label, was released in May 2017. This expression is foundational, demonstrating the distillery’s early proficiency in cask management despite the relatively young age of the spirit. Its limited nature—just 1,450 bottles globally —immediately cemented the Kylver line as a primary target for collectors charting Wolfburn’s journey since its reopening.

Technical Specification & Variant Map

This single malt release is defined by its precise, small-batch vatting profile. It was composed of spirit drawn from only three casks: two ex-Bourbon barrels and one second-fill ex-Oloroso Sherry butt. This choice of components is critical. The ex-Bourbon wood supplies the foundation of vanilla and sweet orchard fruit notes, characteristic of Wolfburn’s new make spirit. The deliberate use of a second-fill Oloroso Sherry butt is important, as it imparts restrained sherry notes, such as raisins and brown sugar, without overwhelming the delicate, sometimes peated, young Highland malt with overly aggressive tannins or strong sulphurous notes that a first-fill sherry cask might impose. The bottling strength was set at 50% ABV, higher than the standard 46% ABV for premium releases, ensuring that the flavour integrity derived from the limited three-cask batch was maintained for consumer appreciation.

Variant Matrix

Packaging & authenticity checklist

As a key early release in a collectible series, the packaging integrity is highly important. Each bottle is a standard 70cl size, clearly marked at 50% ABV.¹⁰ The label should feature the Ūruz rune. For maximum secondary market value, the presence of the original presentation box, detailing the bottling information, is essential. The Kylver Series, being a modern, premium limited edition, is produced to be Non-Chill-Filtered and of Natural Colour, aligning with the quality philosophy of the distillery, although explicit confirmation on NCF/NC status is often implied rather than stated on every single piece of literature.

 Regulatory/terminology notes

The liquid is verified as Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The 50% ABV strength places it above the typical minimum bottling strength but below full Cask Strength, resulting in enhanced body and flavour integration without the overwhelming heat of higher proof liquid. The adherence to NCF and natural colour is widely expected from independent and limited-edition distillery bottlings in the contemporary market, reflecting a desire to showcase the purity of the cask influence and spirit character.

Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)

The resulting flavour profile is complex, balancing fruit and earthiness with a light sherry influence.

• Nose: Exhibits bright notes characteristic of fresh fruit salad, including mango, melon, peach, and pear. These light notes are layered with ginger snaps, subtle hints of earthy peat, and a touch of caramelised brown sugar. A distinct "dunnage warehouse earthiness" and a touch of ginger spice are also noted.¹³
• Palate: The earthy notes reappear, this time more pronounced, though they are balanced by the sweet, dark elements of milk chocolate and buttery sultana. The sherry influence is noted as restrained, showcasing raisins and brown sugar, alongside softer fruit notes of tart pears and peaches. A minor charred oak presence completes the mid-palate structure.
• Finish: The conclusion is long and characterised by the spiciness of ginger and cinnamon. Other notes include pine resin, cumin, and candied orange sweeties.
• With water: Not stated by the producer.

Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)

Original RRP (GBP): The exact initial RRP from the distillery is not definitively available, but early specialist retail listings varied significantly. A major UK retailer listed the price at £186.95, which serves as a benchmark for its initial premium positioning.

Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): Due to the limited release size of 1,450 bottles, this expression is highly sought after and often out of stock at standard retail. Secondary market pricing reflects this scarcity, ranging from the original RRP up to £367.45 in hard-to-find specialist outlets.

Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): Not stated by the producer.

Pricing stratification: This bottling’s value appreciation is entirely driven by its low outturn and status as an early entry in a highly collectible distillery series. The wide variance in secondary pricing demonstrates high market enthusiasm and difficulty in sourcing pristine bottles.

Price Snapshot

Distillery/Bottler Snapshot

Wolfburn is recognised for its rapid establishment of a quality reputation despite its youth, focusing on traditional methods and minimal automation. The Highland single malt style leans towards smoothness, often carrying subtle honey, vanilla, and soft maritime/peat characteristics. The Kylver Series acts as the distillery’s showcase for unusual and highly matured or specially treated whiskies, offering rare snapshots of their evolving spirit in unique cask environments.

Sourcing

Target formats/eras: Acquisition should focus strictly on the 70cl, 50% ABV version with the identifying Ūruz rune and original packaging.

Red flags to avoid: Due to its modern production, any significant signs of poor storage, label damage, or fill variation detract seriously from its high secondary value. Buyers should verify the 50% ABV to distinguish it clearly from the standard 46% core expressions.

Condition thresholds: Mint condition is required, including the pristine state of the original presentation box, to justify current secondary market valuations.

Margin/velocity expectations: Velocity is constrained by rarity. Margins are strong, particularly for bottles secured below the established high-end retail price, making it a high-return collector acquisition.