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Cù Bòcan
unveils first-ever peated Scotch matured
in ice wine casks
Cù Bòcan, the experimental single malt
whisky label from Tomatin Distillery,
has unveiled what is believed to be the
world's first peated Scotch whisky
matured in ice wine casks: Cù Bòcan
Creation #8.
Renowned for pushing the boundaries of
whisky maturation, Cù Bòcan continues
its innovative streak with this latest
addition to its limited-edition
Creations series. Produced each winter
in the Scottish Highlands, the series
pays tribute to the lightly peated
spirit once crafted at the distillery
more than a century ago, showcasing
distinctive cask pairings and
experimental maturation techniques.
Creation #8 introduces an entirely new
dual-cask maturation approach, combining
rare Canadian ice wine casks with
premium Spanish Verdejo wine casks. The
result is a layered flavour profile
featuring notes of fruit salad sweets,
lime zest, gentle earthy smoke, and
subtle oak spice.
Ice wine, a rich dessert wine made from
naturally frozen grapes, is produced by
harvesting fruit after it freezes on the
vine. Pressed at temperatures of
approximately –7°C, the grapes yield a
highly concentrated, intensely sweet
juice. For this release, Cù Bòcan
sourced casks from the family-run
Canadian winery Pillitteri, whose cold
climate produces lush ice wines with
tropical and sweet fruit
characteristics.
The Verdejo casks came from Belondrade,
a highly regarded French-owned winery in
Spain's Rueda region. Verdejo wines are
celebrated for their crisp citrus,
herbal freshness, and vibrant acidity.
In keeping with Cù Bòcan’s experimental
philosophy, the whisky was filled into
the Verdejo casks only weeks after the
wine had been emptied, preserving the
wine’s lively character.
Whisky matured in the 18-year-old ice
wine casks contributes flavours of
apricot preserve, candied peach,
pineapple syrup, and delicate oak spice,
while spirit aged in the 16-year-old
Verdejo casks introduces bright citrus,
grassy notes, and herbal complexity.
Jamie Muir, Distillery Manager at
Tomatin, said: "Our Cù Bòcan Creations
series is all about going beyond
convention, creating genuinely
distinctive whiskies that excite and
intrigue.
“Marking the oldest release in the
series to date, Cù Bòcan Creation #8 is
a pioneering single malt, marrying our
gently peated spirit with the bold
sweetness of Canadian ice wine casks,
something we believe has never been done
before with a peated Scotch.
"Equally the Verdejo casks and the
experimental decision to fill them
shortly after emptying, have also
introduced a vibrant citrus and herbal
dimension, the blend of these two cask
types make Creation #8 a truly
surprising dram."
Creation #8 also introduces refreshed
packaging, featuring a vivid electric
purple and neon green colour palette
that reflects the whisky’s bold
character. The bespoke twisted bottle
design incorporates engraved contours
inspired by both Cù Bòcan’s signature
wisps of smoke and the wooden staves of
the casks used during maturation.
Bottled at 46% ABV, Cù Bòcan Creation #8
is presented with natural colour and
without chill filtration. The whisky is
available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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