Without much fanfare, Knockdhu distillery launched a new core range product earlier this year. The anCnoc 10 Years Peated is a smoky single malt and was introduced alongside the new anCnoc 16 Years Rich & Sweet.
Knockdhu distillery and it’s anCnoc brand isn’t a priority for its owners, Inver House Distillers (in turn owned by ThaiBev, one of Southeast Asia’s largest beverage companies). Balblair is viewed as their premium brand, and to a slightly lesser extend Old Pulteney as well. Speyburn is positioned as a supermarket brand at the lower end of the market.
But anCnoc? Right now it kind of seems like the forgotten distillery. Inver House may well make me look dumb for saying this, because who knows, they might announce a rebrand soon. The anCnoc 18 Years and anCnoc 24 Years seem to have been discontinued. The new 16-year-old (bottled at 43 per cent) is one of its replacements, but I believe a new 21-year-old is also in the works.
To illustrate the lack of priority Inver House currently gives anCnoc: the anCnoc 10 Years Peated and its 16-year-old sibling aren’t yet included on the distillery’s website. The brand’s social media channels have been silent for well over six months too.
Knockdhu is one of Scotland’s more underrated distilleries. It produces a weighty distillate with a distinct character that works well in either ex-bourbon or ex-sherry casks. I sincerely hope anCnoc will soon receive the treatment it deserves.
anCnoc 10 Years Peated – ‘Smoky’ (40%, OB, 2025)
Nose: A gentle hint of fermented cabbage alongside vanilla, bonfire and smoked honey. Hints of ripe apple, maybe some porridge too. Also a sliver of resin.
Taste: Hints of ashes, honey and with a touch of lemon and eucalyptus, but also some light notes of green apple and Madeira cake.
Finish: Medium length. Lingering notes of sweet peat, light earthy notes and some gentle oak spices, as well as honey.
Sample provided by De Monnik Dranken
