Outstanding! Not many whiskies do “floral smoke”, but this one gets it and nails it. That’s not the only note though: there’s so much interest here. Those savoury peat notes on the nose are just gorgeous, the foresty notes, rich fruit and spice, and mulled wine are lovely too. There’s quite a lot of oak showing on the back of the palate, but it seems to just work somehow.
It confidently beats out Laphroaig 25 CS.

Nose: Soft, floral, and ethereal, but rich as well. Sweet floral smoke up front, like burning flower petals. Heather honey, nectarine, roses, slivered almonds, and cereals (Honey Nut Cheerios, perhaps). Sweet citrus: grapefruit, mandarin, and candied lemon zest. The peat smoke gets slightly richer and meatier as it sits. There’s distant autumn leaves, roast pork, bonito flakes- ah, it’s the flavour of a perfectly-cooked tamago ramen egg yolk. Maybe some mirin too.

Palate: Soft texture. Gentle woodsmoke and cereals up front. It gets very rich and floral. Rich fruit and spices: Plums, raisins, banana, ginger, clove, and cinnamon. It develops to a good bit of old oak, wine tannins, tobacco and leather, along with clean hardwood smoke. More earthy autumn leaves, then apples and mulled wine.

Finish: Long and fragrant. Loads of apples here: baked, dried, and cider’ed, spiced with cinnamon of course. Honey, cherries, cranberries, and nectarine. An underpinning of soft woodsmoke and tobacco. More of those cereals and warm baking spices, particularly cardamom. Autumn leaves again.

Nose: full and juicy, cooked fruits, especially pear, also some apricot, in addition peach jam, creamy, also some coconut is to be found. The peat is noticeable, but not very strong, is also more likely to smoke / smoldering wood fire. In addition, a clear sweetness, which lies like a icing on the whole impressions. In the background, the oak comes to fruition with a deep spiciness

Taste: first slightly fruity, then the peat is very clear, mineral, almost iodine

Finish: long, earthy peat with dried fruits and very strong and dry oak, the sweetness of the nose is gone

The nose is great, but in the taste and just in the finish he flattens off. Unfortunately, he does not hold what the nose promises 85 points

Cù Bòcan have unleashed a different kind of beast. This special limited edition Cù Bòcan has been crafted by marrying refill Hogshead and refill Sherry butt matured whisky distilled on 2nd December 1988.

In their past lives, the casks were home to one of Islay’s peatiest potions and hints of the untamed spirit have been working their smoky magic over the years. The final creation – earthy, oaky and sweet - is now ready to be devoured.

Nose: Delicate campfire smoke and sweet ash give way to stewed pears, Peach Melba and toasted coconut. Hints of fresh cut grass, heather and cereal linger in the background with creamy buttermilk.

Mouth: Candied tropical fruits are perfectly balanced with an earthy peat tang. In time, warming dried fruit, blood orange and a gentle nut note emerge.

Finish: Earthy smoke and oak spice linger with a creamy texture.