WhiskyNet Insight: Three Highland Single Malts – From Tradition to Experimentation

  • 8 May 2023 1:10 PM
WhiskyNet Insight: Three Highland Single Malts – From Tradition to Experimentation
The Scottish Highlands was named as one of the ‘Best of the World’ destinations of 2023 by National Geographic. There is no wonder why: with dramatic landscapes, romantic castles, lush green fields and crystal clear water, this is the perfect location to produce award winning whiskies.

Let’s use our imagination to travel to the Scottish Highlands where we will visit two fantastic whisky distilleries. Our first stop will be the Glenfarclas Distillery, where whisky is the result of the family’s experience of over 150 years.

Then we will head over to the Tomatin Distillery, where Tomatin Highland Single Malt and the experimental spirit, Cù Bòcan Single Malt are produced.

Glenfarclas Whisky

One famous surname, five generations: a family business in the truest sense, this is the story of the Glenfarclas Distillery. Since 1865 Glenfarclas has been owned and managed by the Grants family. Now in the hands of the fifth generation of the family, the Grants remain committed to the vision of creating the best quality Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Glenfarclas 8 years old

The 8-year-old expression is the youngest Glenfarclas whisky produced by the Grants family. It is a very sweet, fruity and well-balanced whisky, perfect choice for those who are just getting to know the Scotch Single Malts whiskies.


Of course, we can find older whiskies in the range of Glenfarclas, they offer 10, 12, 15, 17, 21, 25, 30 and 40 years old whiskies for those who can appreciate aged spirits. In 2023 they even launched a Glenfarclas 50-Year-Old which marks the 50th anniversary of chairman and family member, John Grant. Fun fact: the popular Guy Ritchie movie “The Gentlemen” features a Glenfarclas whisky.


Tomatin and Cù Bòcan Single Malts

Tomatin Distillery is located quite close to Inverness and Loch Ness. This is where Tomatin Single Malt whisky and Cù Bòcan Single Malt whisky brands were born. While Tomatin whiskies are not peated and rather fruity, light and vanilla flavoured, on the contrary, Cù Bòcan whiskies are lightly peated, the wisp of smoke intertwines with the rich citrusy and exotic spicy flavours.

Tomatin 12 years old whisky

The Tomatin 12-Year-Old is classically smooth, having been matured in traditional Scotch Whisky, ex-Bourbon and ex-Spanish Sherry casks. Aromas of wild heather, pine and cedar soon sweeten to reveal notes of crème caramel with apples, pears and mango before a full-bodied and buttery finish.


Cù Bòcan Signature

The slogan of the Cù Bòcan brand is “Unlock the Unusual” which means that Cù Bòcan is an experimental Highland Single Malt that explores innovative finishes to create whiskies full of intrigue and surprise. In Cù Bòcan Signature whisky light smoke intertwines with rich citrus and exotic spices.

Subtly smoky, surprisingly sweet, it opens up the world of lightly peated whisky. Recent news: Cù Bòcan Signature Highland Single Malt has just recently won a double gold award at the 2023 San Francisco Worlds Spirits Competition.

Glenfarclas, Cù Bòcan and Tomatin Highland Single Malt Scotch whiskies can be purchased in the webshop of WhiskyNet.

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