LeeEvolved
Cù Bòcan Limited Edition Virgin Oak
Single Malt — Highlands, Scotland
Reviewed
June 28, 2018 (edited October 21, 2024)
I finally added a bottle of this TRE special version of the Cu Bocan to my online cart a couple of months ago. I was looking for something easier to sip on a couple weeks ago and decided this should be a winner. This Virgin Oak version of Cu Bocan was bottled at 46% and I got it from a store out of London for around $55.
All of the Cu Bocan NAS releases are based on a mystical beast that roams the countryside near the Tomatin distillery. Some locals describe it as a smoke beast, so of course Tomatin had to use a little peated malt to add a different layer to their normal, sherried whisky. This one is mellow gold in color and makes some seriously fat legs in the taster.
The nose is incredibly lively with fresh oak and some sawdust, but there’s some citrus notes playing along with the faint smokiness. The palate is very reminiscent of American bourbon: vanilla and oak with just a tease of pepper and wood. The smoke isn’t as apparent on the tongue as I seem to recall from the original Cu Bocan, but it’s there on the nose and finish. Speaking of finish, this is slightly harsh, which is to be expected with most NAS whisky. The youthful spirit leaves behind a slight metallic note, but it’s not off putting at all. This is another bourbon sippers scotch. I’d like to keep a bottle of this on hand for just those kinds of days where I want a bourbon, but I don’t want to drink bourbon- if that makes any sense haha.
Overall, another winning and cheap dram from the fine chaps at Tomatin. If I were to make a short list of NAS favorites this one, and the regular Cu Bocan, would surely make the list. If you’re in the mood for a lightly smoked bourbon, you can’t go wrong here. 3.5-3.75 stars. Cheers, my friends.
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@LeeEvolved I think it worked. Looks like you vetted out a likely suspect in @Champ_Kind. Listen to that aggressive tone. I wonder if that is why he is truly angry or there is something more he wants...
Jeez, I take a little nap after a hard night’s work and a horrible round of golf- and this happens. These guys are a nuisance!
And just like that, the flood gates opened. Wow
Hey everybody, I just found my Blu-Ray copy of Fernando, lets all watch it tonight!
@LeeEvolved. And this is where I write: “ I told you so”. 😐
Alright boys, I think he's learned his lesson. Lets all go home and prepare for tomorrows newscast. You stay classy @LeeEvolved, because if you don't I won't hesitate to give Fernando a call
Now look what you did @LeeEvolved, you made Brick cry! I swear I will bust you upside the head with a knuckle duster the next time I see you!
I miss my little kitties :(
You’re right Ron. Sorry again about that one @BrickTamland. But hey, at least that family of possums never came back to bother you.
@Brian_Fantana I think maybe stick with Black Beard's Delight. You remember what happened the last time you wore Sex Panther? We never did get the stains out of Brick's playhouse
Sweet! I may just wear a little Black Beard’s Delight or London Gentlemen. No, no those girls deserve only the best cologne...Sex Panther it is.
Awe man, your right @Brian_Fantana. Ok @LeeEvolved, you've earned a reprieve for now, but you just watch yourself. Oh and @Brian_Fantana, I got those girls to fly in tomorrow to meet up with us after that test. We're in for one hell of a night...WHAMMY!
@Champ_Kind don’t forget we have that test tomorrow at 3:00. That important test. That VERY important test! Speaking of which, I wonder what those two Tibetan girls are up to these days. Do you still have their number?
Hey @RealRonBurgundy is this @LeeEvolved guy giving you a hard time again? I tell you I've had it with this nobody! Accusing us of plotting against him over a bottle of Twinkie-Dink 18. The nerve of some people. I tell you what LeeDe-Evolved, we dont need to call Fernando Vidal, I will meet you at the corner of my fist and your face at 3:00 sharp tomorrow to settle this once and for all. Until then just know that you will never be anything other than a nuisance on a whisky app, while we are world wide celebrities.
Who feels like having Chorizo Swedish meatballs? I know I do!
Oh @BrickTamland, my lovable Brick. The song was Fernando by the Swedish band ABBA, not a Swedish guy named Ferdinand by Twisted Sister.
I thought Ferdinand was the Swedish guy that band Twisted Sister was singing about.
@BrickTamland I believe you are thinking of Ferdinand, the lovable bull from the children's movie of the same name. While it was a good movie, the two are not the same. Hope that clears things up for you.
Fernando Vidal? I love that guy! Especially the time he got caught in a china shop and tried so hard not to break anything. Ha ha ha, good times!
How dare you! How dare you sir! To imply that I would stoop so low as to murder you over a bottle of Tinker Toy 18 or whatever it is you were going on about. I happen to drink only the finest scotch in the world...Great Odin's Raven. Other than that I am partial to J&B Rare, a 50/50 mix of Johnnie Walker Red/Black and the occasional 60 year old Macallan when I feel like adding a little something to my Coca Cola. Now, if I were to need you murdered for some slight you may have committed against me I would simply hire Fernando Vidal, the world's most devious assassin. He can shoot the fleas off a dogs back at 500 yards or slip a little cyanide into your precious Tinsel Town 18. You'd never see him coming, so you just watch yourself @LeeEvolved
@PBMichiganWolverine - I’m baiting the trap for my murderer. Let’s see who takes the bait...
@LeeEvolved dude, no—-what you doing? Let sleeping dogs lay 😃
@LeeEvolved @Generously_Paul @Telex funny... @Scott_E still be finishing up round 1
But then again, it could end up being one of the Anchorman News gang, too. @RealRonBurgundy or @Champ_Kind or @BrickTamland. Who knows?
@PBMichiganWolverine , @Generously_Paul - yeah, but @Scott_E won’t get around to the review until 12-15 months after my murder. By then the trail will have gone cold haha.
@Generously_Paul it’s always the quiet ones. Probably in partnership with @Scott_E . And then they’ll have the cahones to go on Telex’s show and do a review of it
I’ve got my eye on @Telex as the #1 suspect
@Generously_Paul , @PBMichiganWolverine , @Rick_M - I’ve also heard I’m going to get shivved before I can accomplish my final middle finger to the world. If someone you know offers you pours of Talisker 40 after my demise I implore you to reopen the investigation into my murder. That person will be a primary suspect.
I have it on good authority that @LeeEvolved plans to give a big middle finger to everyone on his deathbed and smash a bottle of Talisker 40 after taking one sip. He won’t be leaving anything but a pile of broken glass and a sticky whisky mess for his family to clean up
@PBMichiganWolverine - you know, you could leave those 450 bottles to someone who’d truly appreciate them... 😬
@LeeEvolved at least you’re not leaving 450+ bottles as the only inheritance to your kids. ☺️
@PBMichiganWolverine - at the rate I buy bottles I don’t expect to ever be able to afford retirement.
@Rick_M - I do some foolish things for sure. Like, I’m about to go play golf when the temp is expected to reach 95 here today. I worked the overnight shift and technically have been up since 7pm last night. I’m sure my game will be top notch.
@Rick_M when @LeeEvolved retires, I’m expecting to see an average of 50 reviews a day.
@LeeEvolved - I’ve got notes on about 15 whiskies to review. Once you retire, you have to be in the mood to do anything. :)
@Generously_Paul, @Rick_M - I haven’t been doing any early morning drinking. I’ve got completed notes jotted down for 7 bottles and samples so I figured I’d bang out a few in between my catnaps while working the overnight shift.
@Generously_Paul - it’s easy to find the time to drink. What impresses me is where he finds the time to write. :)
It would appear that the cheap NAS wins the early morning drinking for the day