The beast has escaped..

Tomatin Distillery is fast becoming a favourite of mine, so recently when I had the opportunity to visit the distillery how could I resist.  The  distillery is producing some absolutely stunning whisky and while at the distillery they had just recieved delivery of the first bottles of the new beast, unfortunately I was too early to be able to sample but  upon returning home they sent the beast known as the Cu Bucan after me.. After Taming the beast and getting it into the Glencairn nosing glass I offer you my review..

So the Cu Bocan 1988 limited edition has been created by the marrying of both refill hogsheads and refill sherry butt matured whisky that was distilled on the 2nd of December 1988 , this  whisky is not a peated  whisky but it has been matured in casks that originated from a certain wwell known Islay distillery, this in itself has imparted a smokey/ peaty flavour to the whisky..

Bottled at 51.5%abv this is a limited edition of only 2200 bottles worldwide, it is cask strength, NCF and Natural colour.. Does it get any better..

Nose.. The delicate smoke mingles so well with some lovely fruity notes, there is still the strong hint of the Tomatin citrus notes and some rather subtle vanilla aromas that twist around the smoke in a enticing way.  Poached pear with heather honey  and toffee apples add to the sweetness while the most delicate of floral notes hang on to the smokey tails..

Palate.. The sherry side is a little more prominent here, the peat is more detectable but it actually blends rather well with the fruity side of this whisky. After a while the dark fruits take control and with a hint of kiwi and passion fruit the fruity side really is the winner in here..

Finish.. A smoke infused fruit bomb with a rather pleasent drying feel..

Thoughts.. The beast has been tamed ( for now ) this is very much Tomatin with a twist.. Frankenstein himself would be proud of this monster.. With each sip you get something a little different, it changes constantly, the smoke comes and goes in waves while the fruity side is constantly battling to be top dog.. The balance is perfect and the flavours just keep on coming..congratulations Tomatin, another great whisky has been born..

My my thanks to Tomatin distillery for sending this sample for me to review..