Cù Bòcan has stalked residents of the remote Highland village of Tomatin for centuries, his legend embellished by the hellhound’s increasingly fractious behaviour.

Sightings are rare, once in a generation, always terrifying. A distillery worker, out walking late, was once relentlessly pursued by an imposing black beast, steam spiralling from flared nostrils, teeth bared.

Compelled beyond all natural reason to feel the hound’s dense fur he stopped and reached out, hand trembling, only to see the ghostly spectre – Cù Bòcan – dissolve before his eyes leaving nothing but a vacuum of deathly silence and an inky blue cloud of smoke, soon spirited away across the peat moorland…

THE WHISKY

Cask Type:

Matured in a combination of Virgin Oak, Bourbon and Sherry casks.

Strength:

46% alc./vol.

Availability:

September 2013

Distribution:

Worldwide

Price:

RRP £43.99 per 70cl bottle

This whisky is described as “light smoke intertwined with rich citrus and exotic spices”.

AROMA

Coconuts and cream with some botanic notes, parsley and coriander. The smoke emerges after a minute followed by a mix of lime, grapefruit and tangerines with rich almond and aniseed.

PALATE

Initially feather light, followed by a honeyed smoke. The rich spice of cloves, cinnamon and star anise create an enigmatic elegance.

FINISH

Light with a hint of sweet smoke.

NOTES

• LAUNCH DATE: 3rd September 2013

• LAUNCH DETAILS: The launch will be announced online via the company’s Twitter account – a link to www.cu-bocan.com will be published where all the details of the whisky and its story will be revealed. A selection of whisky bloggers and writers received teaser samples with no details of the whisky contents or brand, just instructions to log on to Twitter at 7pm on 3rd September.

• The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd is a producer and blender of Scotch whisky, boasting a strong core range of single malt whiskies along with a range of popular blends.

• Website: www.tomatin.com  / www.cu-bocan.com Facebook: facebook.com/cubocan facebook.com/Tomatin1897