It’s been a while since I reviewed something from Tomatin Distillery so let’s check out their latest peated whisky, Cu Bocan 2006 which was released last fall.

Cu Bocan 2006 is vatting of sherry and bourbon casks from 2006, so the whisky is 10 or 11 year old. It was bottled at 50% and 12,000 bottles were made available around the world.

Tomatin Cù Bòcan 2006 (50%, £49.45/€56.50)

Nose: Malty, subtle honey and then sweet peat. Feels light and fresh and after a few minutes, bread and cookies dough, a bit of vanilla, weak pears and peaches. After some more oxidization there are soft smoked red fruit. With a few drops of water more fruitiness with stronger peaches smell, less malt/bread and very subtle smoke.

Palate: Malty and bready, then smoky, honey, subtle fruitiness, dryness at the end. After oxidization, red fruit. With a few drops of water apricots and more honey.

Finish: Medium length, lingering honeyed fruit sweetness and semi-dry peat smoke.

Thoughts: At first I was a bit disappointed as the Cu Bocan 2006 felt too simple and not on par with its age statement (10 or 11 year old) with mainly gentle peat and lots of malt. It took a while to get out the fruitiness and the sherry cask impact but eventually it turned into a nice daily tipple so be patient and let time and air do their job.