It’s surprising to realise there hasn’t been a single anCnoc review on this blog until now, despite the whisky’s steady presence in the scene and Knockdhu Distillery’s unique approach to traditional production methods. That oversight ends here: first up is the anCnoc 12-year-old – a staple from Knockdhu’s core range and often cited as a go-to for those who prefer lighter, more approachable malts. After that, a direct comparison between two 24-year-old expressions from different years will shed some light on how batch variation shows up in the distillery’s older releases. This should give a fair look at how consistency and character evolve at Knockdhu over time. So let’s review one anCnoc 12-year-old and two 24-year-old!
Knockdhu Distillery
Knockdhu Distillery is located in Knock, Banffshire, Scotland, and has been producing whisky since 1894. It was established after John Morrison purchased the Knock Estate in 1892, drawn by abundant local water sources, barley-growing land, and the convenience of a nearby railway line for transport. The original purpose of the distillery was to provide malt whisky for Haig’s blends, making it the first malt distillery built specifically for the Distillers Company Ltd. (DCL). The site itself is constructed mainly from local granite and, from the beginning, made use of two copper pot stills.
The distillery has operated on and off throughout its history, closing during the economic depression of the early 1930s and again during the Second World War when barley was restricted and military use took precedence. During WWII, Knockdhu was repurposed as a barracks for Indian Army troops. After several ownership changes and another closure in 1983, it was purchased by Inver House in 1988, with production resuming in 1989. To avoid confusion with Knockando Distillery, its single malt was rebranded as anCnoc in 1994. Today it remains a relatively small operation, with output used both in blended products and as a single malt.
AnCnoc 12-Year-Old (2020) Review
Starting with the anCnoc 12-year-old, the sample comes from a bottle filled on 13 December 2020 and probably reached shops in 2021. This bottling sits at 40% ABV, undergoes chill filtration and most likely carries added colouring. Around 2023, Knockdhu withdrew this version and launched a different 12-year-old at 43% ABV named ‘Sweet and Smooth’. Some shops still stock the older bottling at under £40 or €40.
Colour:
Old gold (but fake)
Nose:
Neat: The nose opens with apples, pineapple, and apricots, along with a tart citrus edge. The aroma carries a bit of sharpness, yet the modest ABV prevents any burn. Malt appears dusty and reminiscent of visits to malting floors, followed by some wood.
Palate:
Neat: The palate echoes the fruit notes, with apples and citrus. Oak brings cloves and a hint of white pepper. The mouthfeel stays light but creamy, never watery. Powdered cocoa, vanilla and a touch of dark honey round out the palate.
Finish:
Dark chocolate, green apple, citrus and clove linger through a medium finish.
Comments:
This release offers a straightforward entry point with an age statement, fruit notes and enough character for a budget dram. Chill filtration and low ABV don’t compromise the mouthfeel, which stays creamy and delivers plenty of flavour. Knockdhu replaced this expression with ‘Sweet & Smooth’ in 2024 or 2025. Whether only the packaging and branding changed or the recipe as well remains unclear. As said above, a handful of shops still stock the original.
Rating: 6/10
anCnoc 24-year-old (2017) Review
Next, we have a 2017 bottling of anCnoc 24-year-old, which comes with little cask detail from Knockdhu, though sherry most likely plays a role either throughout maturation or as a finishing touch. Bottled at 46% ABV, un-chill filtered and showing natural colour, it carried a retail price of £100 – £120 and now rarely appears on shelves.
Colour:
Cider.
Nose:
Neat: The nose delivers beautiful sherry-related aromas – dried fruits, tobacco and leather. Sweet citrus notes join plums, a few floral hints and gentle vanilla.
Palate:
’Neat: The palate starts with dark fruits such as cherries and berries, sharpened by spice with a real presence for the strength. You’d guess it’s closer to 50% ABV if you were to taste it blind. After the initial clove and pepper fade, chilli chocolate and leather step in. Heat grows softly in the mouth; gums dry for a short spell.
Finish:
The finish carries warmth, spice and citrus tartness, alongside chocolate, wood and pepper. The aftertaste stays long, with lingering heat and tart citrus.
Comments:
This anCnoc 24-year-old finds praise among whisky enthusiasts, as it ticks the boxes for age, non-chill-filtration, natural colour and solid ABV. More importantly, it delivers flavour at a reasonable (original) price. Knockdhu delivered a strong classic with this expression.
Rating: 7.5/10
anCnoc 24-year-old (2019) Review
We conclude our session with another anCnoc 24-year-old, this time bottled in 2019. Like its older brother, it is bottled at 46% ABV, non-chill filtered and without added colour. Like the 2017, stocks now prove scarce and the remaining bottles command much higher prices than the original RRP.
Colour:
Bronze.
Nose:
Neat: The nose brings more intensity than the 2017. Apples, raspberries and dark berries appear at first, feeling tangier overall. Raisins and milk chocolate follow, along with vanilla, mint and eucalyptus. The impression suggests bourbon cask maturation finished with sherry.
Palate:
Neat: The mouth (I always say the palate, let‘’’s change for once) carries rich, tangy fruits: Granny Smith apples, various dark and red berries, dates, dried figs and lemon juice. The chocolate comes darker now than on the nose, with orange, old leather, pepper, walnut wine and sugar syrup adding complexity. Mouthfeel is creamier compared to the 2017 batch.
Finish:
The finish stretches long, with lingering spice, gentle heat, chocolate, honey, mint, eucalyptus, salted liquorice and strong echoes again of dark chocolate.
Comments:
Knockdhu produced an excellent whisky in this release – and the decision to discontinue it remains baffling, especially as the distillery’s own website still lists the expression. This bottle stands as evidence that remarkable, well-aged whiskies at fair prices do (or at least did) exist, even as such opportunities fade. The price hike at retailers for existing stocks confirms the reputation this bottling built. Superb.