Who’s there? A 12 and a 24 year old from Knockdhu distillery, Speyside. Goes by the the name of AnCnoc. This distillery mostly ends up in the Hankey Banner blend, but at least the older age statement single malt has received a small following for being a great quality and undervalued (hence affordable) dram. But apparently vendors have caught onto this now and raised prises a lot. Today it’s my turn to see what the fuss is about. Well, I actually already have a good relation with Knockdhu thanks to a single cask bottling from D. Rattray at 10 years of age. I would’ve included it for this review, but the last dram in the bottle had oxidized into cardboardy oblivion. Maybe I will be inspired to get another Knockdhu, though?
AnCnoc 12yo
Type: Scotch single malt
Alcohol: 40%
Cask info: american oak ex-bourbon barrells
Bottling info: —
Price and availability: Available €33 (Germany, Dec 2023)
🔗WhiskyBase
2cl sample from Soul of Whisky for €4.50
Experience ⚡
A nose of fresh fruits: kiwi, lime, and peach; as well as summer green grass and flowers, and mild vanilla. There is a slight earthiness and minerality in the background. On the palate, light and fresh, zesty and a little gingery. Easy-drinking. The finish rings our quickly but cleanly.
Thoughts 💡
This is an good entry point into the light and delicate side of whisky. There are enough different notes on the nose to entertain and give a little bit of character, although the palate is quite anaemic. For what it is (a humble 12yo for a broad audience), I like it.
Worthwhile and enjoyable ✔️
AnCnoc 24yo
Type: Scotch single malt
Alcohol: 46%
Cask info: —
Bottling info: unchillfiltered and natural colour
Price and availability: Available ~€175
🔗WhiskyBase (or other batch)
2cl sample from Soul of Whisky for €7.50
Experience ⚡
There is a lot of woody notes here, but it’s pleasant: polished wood, cinnamon bark, dry walnuts, a touch of hay. A little tiger balm, and vanilla, some dried fruits, in particular banana chips and orange. Tangy green apples and cream gives something of a fresher counterpoint. The palate is flavoursome, and bit sour, malty and predominantly nutty, earthy and grassy in taste, with a small whiff of smoke blooming out in the finish.
Thoughts 💡
Very nice! It’s got character, without overstating it, and does not stick to the classic (boring?) sherry notes. The woodiness and the sourness does somehow not translate into sour wood here. I’d be happy to keep exploring this for a few more drams, if I had any.
Cognac Paradise recently sold a recent shipment of this product for €135, down from the €175 RRP. I hadn’t tried my sample yet, and didn’t feel like taking a chance with a full bottle. That special price is closer to what the bottle used to be, and where I’d now say a good value would be had, although I’m happy to have saved my cash for something more memorable for me. There’s much to explore with the indie bottlers at this price point. But I get those who want to have a well-aged, relatively consistent official bottling at a good price rather than trying to navigate the jungle of single casks.
Worthwhile and enjoyable ✔️
Hmm, might just get a new Knockdhu bottle — another one of my beloved D. Rattray!
DuckDrams 
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