Tomatin Cù Bòcan (46% 2014)

This official Cu Bocan release, bottled at 46%. Only 6000 bottles were released. Cù Bòcan is the peated single malt of Tomatin distillery, made in the Highland hills south of Inverness. Water comes from the Allt na Frithe, the burn of the deer, in the Monadhliath hills.

It was worked through onion stills from peated malt, for the smoky Cu Bocan make over a fruity base. A sherry cask wrapped the smoke in dried fruit and a nutty depth. Without an age statement, it is smoky, fruity and soft. Unusual cask finishes are central to the Cu Bocan style. It closed in 1906 and reopened in 1909, finding its feet over the following decades. The Antiquary blend came into the group through the blender J and W Hardie. Malt is bought in, the distillery's own floor maltings having closed in the 1980s. For most of its life the distillery rarely ran to its full capacity. The make is light and fruity, easy to like and easy to drink.

At 46% it is clean and fruity. A smoky, fruity sweetness, and the Oloroso lends raisin, walnut and a dried fruit richness. It is gentle and smoky, the fruity spirit beneath. A smoky, gently fruity finish lingers. This is Cu Bocan's smoky, fruity Highland style.