Tomatin Cù Bòcan

This official Cu Bocan release, bottled at 46%. A release of 6000 bottles. Made at Tomatin in the Highland hills, Cù Bòcan is the distillery's peated single malt. Cu Bocan takes its name from a spectral hound said to haunt the Tomatin hills.

Distilled from peated malt for the smoky Cu Bocan make, building the smoky Cu Bocan style. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, a light sweetness under the smoke. Without an age statement, it is smoky, fruity and soft. The smoke softens with age while the fruity base deepens. Special releases like Decades and Warehouse 6 have marked the distillery's milestones. Cold, clean water runs down to the distillery from the hills above. Under Japanese stewardship the focus turned from sheer volume to quality. The very long fermentation is central to the distillery's fruity character. The distillery sits beside the A9, the old road north to Inverness.

At an approachable 46% it is soft and balanced. Wood smoke, honey and a fruity sweetness, and honeyed vanilla comes through from the ex-Bourbon. A baked apple and a wisp of smoke lift it. It finishes smoky, soft and warming. This is a smoky Highland malt with a fruity heart.