Tomatin Cu Bocan Highland Single Malt 46% 0,7 l

That Highland whisky and peated characters can match is attested by the Tomatin Cù Bòcan.

Its has 15 ppm smoke, which seems not much compared to Islay malts, but is already quite intense for the Highlands.

The Tomatin Distillery did a very good job creating a whisky with an aromatic and balanced bouquet. It shows notes of a warm, gentle bonfire smoke and crisp hints of citrus, grapefruit and oranges. Additionally, coconut and anise give a fresh impression.

The first feeling on the palate is velvety smoke and thick, sweet honey. Little by little a slightly prickling spiciness shines through and with notes of Christmas baking comes the taste of star anise, cinnamon and almonds.

The finish has a medium length and appears soft and smooth with nuances of smoke as well as star anise.

The first batch of the Tomatin Cù Bòcan was released in 2013 and ever since a whole collection of different Cù Bòcan expressions arose.

The non-chill filtered whisky matured in first fill ex-bourbon, ex-sherry and virgin oak casks. Its name is Gaelic and can be translated as “Ghost Dog”. This title was chosen because of story of a hellhound that was frightening the residents of the little village Tomatin.

Even though the ghost dog was rarely seen, each encounter was a horrible experience. In one night, all ended when a distillery worker was chased by the beast but suddenly stopped running and tried to touch the hellhound’s fur.

The Cù Bòcan dissolved and left just a cloud of blue smoke. In order to remind the old legend the Tomatin Distillery created the Cù Bòcan.

In 1897, Alexander Allan, John MacLeish and John MacDougall founded the Tomatin Spey District Distillery Ltd.

However, the tradition of whisky production in the area of Tomatin is much older and it is suspected that the illicit distillation already started in the 15th century.