Tomatin launches 2005 vintage edition Cù Bòcan

Highland-based Tomatin Distillery has released a limited 2005 vintage edition of its peated Cù Bòcan single malt.

Bottled at 50% ABV, the whisky is stronger than its core range counterpart, and is matured in ex-bourbon and sherry casks. Described as having aromas of butterscotch and toffee apples with flavours of candy floss and a gentle touch of peat smoke, typical of the Cù Bòcan range, there is only 11,400 bottles available worldwide.

The Cù Bòcan brand is named after a mythical Highland hellhound, which was rumoured to haunt the village of Tomatin and was launched in 2013 as a lightly peated alternative to the traditional fruity flavours of Tomatin single malt. The distillery has been producing peated malt for the last week of every year since 2005.

This latest release follows previous limited editions including the 1989 vintage in 2014, along with the Virgin Oak, Sherry and Bourbon expressions in 2015 with the latest release the 1988 vintage launched in May 2016.

Stephen Bremner, sales director comments: “When we started distilling peated whisky in 2005 it was intended to be used for our on-site blending activities. However when it became of age we recognised it had to be released as a single malt and so Cù Bòcan was born. Three years down the line, we are constantly looking for ways to develop the brand and experiment with new expressions. This vintage release celebrates how our light, fruity flavours when combined with peated barley make for a sensational smoky spirit.”

The vintage creation is currently being rolled out worldwide and is expected to retail at £49.99.

3 August 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor