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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- I'm looking at a single malt scotch whisky from the Knockdu distillery in the highlands. This is the famous AnCnoc 12. I'll taste it and give you my thoughts. Cheers!
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Scores:
0-75 - Crap
75-79 - For cocktails & people you don't like
80-82 - Not bad
83-85 - Getting good here
86-89 - Delicious
90-94 - Awesome
95-100 - Cowabunga Dudes
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Looking forward to buying this one next week. Thanks for the review 😊
Occasional contact-breaker here 🙋🏼♂️ often involving this particular whisky!
That whisky nerd contract is able to be worked around by instantly stating “I wish they would present their whisky’s unchill filtered, natural colour and at a decent abv” (Addendum 3.1) - this is what I say every time I sip on a Highland Park! Have this on the shelf but not opened it - this coming spring 🌼 perhaps. All anCnoc need to do is look at how Glencadam is smashing it - such a simple fix…
Hah very true. If we complain about the abv we're given a free pass! 😂
This was one of the whiskies I kinda fell in love with early on in my whisky journey - a quiet dram that reveals more and more as you sit and sip it over a long evening watching an old movie from the 40s - there's a variety of delicate and subtle flavours that are elusive at times but worth chasing down - and at $30 in my market - a shelf staple for me now. The perfect summer dram.
I brought this one up to my roof last week just around sunset. 25° out, gentle breeze, view of the mountains towering over the city, and AnCnoc 12. Perfect.
Waterboarded with Crown Royal Apple ... INHUMANE!!! :P. Geneva Convention violation in the extreme! ;). Aside from the crimes against humanity, this IS a lovely whisky. I definitely enjoyed my bottle of this a while back. You're persuading me to go pick up a replacement! Cheers, Geoff. :)
Well it certainly matches the season. I enjoyed mine on my rooftop watching the sunset the other day! 🥃
Nice presentation!
Yes, we do get this at 43% and I enjoy it quite a lot. I have never tried the 40% and it is good to see it retains some of that love. Interestingly, it is more fruity and citrus at 43% and only after adding some water do you get some of those spices you talked about.
How I wish it was at 46% or at least un-chill filtered. Good stuff this.
I genuinely think this would be a favourite if given the proper treatment. Beautiful character. I'd love to try it, even at 43%! 🥃
I really enjoy this whiskey. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for watching! 🥃
Hi Geoff, Nice Review as usual. I haven't tried Ancnoc 12 yet, but i have tried the 18yo, and it is a Nice whisky, it is one i find a lot more interesting when adding some water. I would like You to Review a couple more bottles that i just bought and i'm enjoying, those would be the Edradour Caledonia and The Glenturret 12. Cheers!!! 🥃
I've reviewed the Caledonia. Good stuff! Unfortunately I can't get the new Glenturret 12, as their new line hasn't made it to Taiwan yet. I wish I could! 🥃
Interesting review Mr G
I have the 18 and 24 and enjoy them both , but never really considered the 12 ..until now , I’m a tiny bit off sherry finish right now so the 12 sounds perfect .
Cheers
Funny you should mention that. I'm a bit off of sherry myself these days. Much more into clean, bright, bourbon matured stuff. Must be the season! Cheers! 🥃
Those whisky nerd contracts are rough and negotiations are hard. Glad to hear your thoughts on anCnoc 👍
Hah they are indeed! Thanks Rohit! 🥃
I opted to get the 2009 vintage instead of this one which is at craft presentation and I was very impressed. I would recommend strongly
I'll have to try that one. I haven't seen it around but I'll be on the lookout. Thanks for the recommendation, Ieuan! 🥃
Hi Geoff, often thought about buying this ( around €32 in Germany) but other whiskies just keep jumping in front. At least you didn’t put it down, a good review, enjoyed watching it. Slàinte Geoff.
It's a good one, despite being a bit light. As always thanks for watching David! Cheers my friend! 🥃
😂😂😂😂 excellent episode. Love the humour
Hah thanks. Cheers buddy! 🥃
Love anCnoc 12. I believe its lightly chill filtered. The whisky has legs and definitely has some viscosity to it. You can get a sense of the terroir, I pick up "farm" notes if that makes sense. Great stuff!
Edit: Its bottled at 43% in the US
Agree, there is a sense of terroir. Beautiful character. I'd love to try it even with the mild 3% bump in abv. You guys are lucky in the States! 🥃
The last bottle of this I tried I remember being unremarkable and anemic, but I was probably deep into sherry bombs at the time. Have since come to appreciate the many lighter, as you say "characterful" single malts out there. Will have to try it again on your recommend it's very affordable here at $60 CAD. Cheers!
For the price not much to lose. It makes for a great casual summer sipper. If you do pick it up I hope you enjoy it buddy!
Just found a bottle today on the close out shelf for $39… I’m in the USA and it’s 43%…. Damn it’s very nice on the first pour! Nice video!!!
Great price and a better abv! Enjoy! 🥃
Interesting that you should detect some Cumin / curry powder spices. Perhaps a soldier left some spices behind when the Indian army was billeted in the Knockdhu malt barns between 1940 and 1945? 🤣😂
(See Charles MacLean's Whiskypedia book).
Just had a dram of my bottle last night and realized how good it is at just 40%. Forgot about it a bit after hunting 46% and CS bottles. A friend of mine bought it last week and we both experience a honey/liquorice note in the aftertaste. We like that in a whisky as dutchmen, haha. I'll add this one on my list of summer whisky's too! 😉
I'll have to look for that note during my next session with it! Wonderful summer sipper indeed! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I think it's the fennel note that you describe that look's like anise which is also used in liquorice for scent and taste. I have eaten so much types of liquorice here in Holland that I can get notes from another source and still associate it with it. Fennel, anise, eucalyptus.
That makes sense!
Geoff, my tasting note from 2017 is: "a hidden gem, but it would be a diamond at 46%". They're doing good things there at the Knockdhu Distillery. When a dram shines at only 40%, the distillation must be really good and also the wood management. And only lightly chill-filtered, as Richard suggests?
Exactly! Really good stuff at 40%. No joke this would be one of my all-time favourite entry-level whiskies if given the proper treatment. The distillery doesn't tell us about the production, but it's surely filtered to a certain degree. 🥃
Don't have a bottle open right now, but usually do, and have used this or the Glencadam 15, or Tomatin Legacy as a calibration dram, or starter, especially before a blind-tasting flight. None of them get in the way, no peats, clean, malty and fruity to me, and is perfectly acceptable IMHO, despite ABV. Not thinking there is too much E150 in it, though I'll lose geek points and suffer that torture you mentioned, for saying so. Yours is a very fair review. The Edradour you mention (10) is a dirtier dram to me. That is not a complaint, just an observation.
Oh yeah the Edradour 10 is much dirtier. That was just to illustrate that there are several whiskies that I enjoy despite the 40%, not inplying any similarities. Agree about being a good calibration whisky. We often use it as an "opener." Cheers! 🥃
peated AnCnoc is really interesting, i tried cutter few times, and i am impressed by its floral note that able to overpowered to peatiness lol
I haven't had cutter. Sounds interesting!
With all due respect to AnCnoc and its fans, I found Glencadam 10yo far superior not only because of its natural presentation and higher ABV, but especially for the perfect balance of fruity notes and spices, for its character and strength, so I consider it one of the best (if not THE best) in its age category among spirit-forward whiskies.
I also prefer Glencadam 10yo to Arran 10yo, which I find a little overrated (I indeed prefer the Quarter Cask version).
When I tried AnCnoc 12 for the first time, it immediately reminded me of Glenmorangie 10yo. Both are on the bright, clean, fragrance and light category, and I love them all! Probably only this kind of flavor can be acceptable in low abv; for whisky with darker flavor but at 40% normally is disaster to me, though there are still few exceptions, hah.
I find this to be a bit more characterful than Glenmo, although I also like the Glenmo 10. I agree that this kind of profile can fit with a lower abv. Light, bright, clean, and casual! 🥃
Agree, AnCnoc is more characterful, going further on that spectrum with some non-typycal notes.
You liked a Macallan - THAT should be reason enough to revoke your Whisky Nerd License!
And yes, there are some good Whiskies at that kind of presentation. When I order something I don’t know or that is not recommended, though … I certainly will go 46%+ and natural colour (which here in Germany is easy to detect).
Of course that makes sense! If I see a 40% on the label of something it's a huge turn-off. If I buy a 40% whisky, it's either because it's been recommended by someone I trust or I have prior experience with it.
@@Gwhisky exactly!
I laughed so hard at the water boarding by Crown Royale, its the Regal Apple that really makes this torture!
😂😂😂
Somehow the US market is lucky enough to get this at 43%, for now. I was also "fortunate" to get a sample of the 40% version in a tasting set. It really is amazing what 3% can do for an already very good whisky.
You guys are lucky. Loads of 40% whiskies are amped up to 43% in your market!
A good whisky, and not just for beginners (good review too, BTW). I tore up my nerd contract 30 years ago 😁. Higher abv carries more flavour and texture, but it’s just one small part if the jigsaw. If I had my way it would be illegal to sell whisky except at natural cask strength, as a single cask out-turn, straight from the barrel and with minimal barrier filtration. However if something tastes good at the lowest permitted proof, with colour added and heavy chill-filtration, then fine. The only time I’ll object is if such a presentation comes with a premium price tag - that’s just plain wrong. If you make whisky with mass appeal it has to be priced down accordingly.
Well said. At the end of the day, if we like something that's all that matters. Contracts be damned! Cheers! 🥃
Very well done review, as usual.
As for the 40% ABV I drink so little that I just can't afford the time and liver needed to polish a full bottle of weak presented whisky.
I have no doubt that AnCnoc is by no means bad whisky. I'd gladly taste a sample or even buy a bottle of it to treat my buddies at the office who won't appreciate craft presented stuff anyway.
AnCnoc 12 costs roughly 29 euros in Bulgaria which falls in the same price bracket as Glenfiddich 12 and Glenmorangie 10. The "problem" is that Arran 10 costs roughly the same money and is way better value given the natural presentation. If I wanted super-market level presented malt my first choice would be most definitely Tomatin Legacy which even comes at 43% for ~20 euros.
In the end whisky "nerdness" has nothing to do with my choice. It's all about the value. Well, at least most of the times 😀
Cheers!
Its a fine whisky and excellent value! Glad yours improved! 🥃
i can not speak on behalf of others, BUT "WE" LOVE them TUBERS' RANT ! (other channels have high view count & "foot traffic" on RANT episodes ! ! hehe just saying). Here, its price is the same range as G'Rothes-12, Craigellachi-13, Pulteney-12, Hi-Park12, . . . which are 2 price-steps above GOyne-10, Deveron-12 and Lomond-12.
Hah... yeah, but I do like having my concise to-the-point reviews. I suppose there's space for a few more rants, though. It's similarly priced to the other whiskies you mentioned here, albeit on the cheaper end of them. Cheers Timothy!
In the US we get this at 43% and until recently it was at a price below it's 46% ncf competitors that made it a good summertime hot weather dram. Unfortunately it is now priced right with bottles like Arran 10, Craigalliche 13, Deanston 12 and so is now off my list. If you see the AnCnoc 2009 vintage around for a reasonable price give it a go. 12yr 46% ncf nc full maturation in a combination of first fill bourbon and oloroso sherry butts. It's what the regular 12 could be.
Sounds like a winner! Sadly I've never seen that one in my market. Cheers!
I'm in the US and can confirm that ours is only 43%. I think 43% is a great ABV for this set of flavors. Agree with the metallic note, but for me it's more of a rose water/turkish delight kind of thing + very ripe/fermenting fruit. Super interesting, kind of weird, very unique. I even get a touch of Parmesan funk. I think peat or sherry would take away from this whisky because some of the subtle flavor are going to be masked. I really like it, but I can see it being a little off for some people, which is okay. Overall I think this is a great whisky.
Fantastic stuff. I think the sherry does work in the 18, but it's not "necessary." I wish they had an older standard bourbon-matured expression.
I see your point, however, I agree there are some 40% malts that can be fun!
Not surprising, given your name. Clearly you're a Macallan fan. I am too! 🥃
@@Gwhisky I used to like Macallan but these days are over! I do not support their luxury strategy and their pricing. However, my TH-cam name was established. 😉
I got a Cadenhead’s bottling of a single cask cask-strength 10 year-old Knockdhu (listed as such) not too long ago. Classic highland vanilla-honey-heather profile but on steroids with the high strength ABV (56.2%).
Well worth the money if you can find one!
Sounds really cool. I've never tried a Knockdhu IB. I'll be on the lookout. Cheers!
I haven't bought or seen this in a few years, but I could've sworn that the 12yo was 46% in NA? I need to check.
I liked the stuff, and bought a few bottles over the years, but I can't say that I loved it; but that's when it sold for about $45. Today I would not pay much more that that for it; too many other, preferable options around that price-point IMO.
Yeah I'm lucky this is the same price it's always been in my market. It's a great whisky for that price.
UPDATE: AnCnoc 12 is now 40% which makes it a sold PASS in my opinion; not because it's weak, but because it's weak and not cheap ($55 USD).
...I must've been thinking of the 18yo, which I've also had. Come to think of it, I might have a bottle of 18 in my stash somewhere?
@@MrChristopherMolloy The 18 is good. Craft presentation and delicious. Totally different though with a sherry influence, though. I actually prefer the flavours in the 12, but the 18 is delicious and wins out because of the 46%.
@@Gwhisky A series on budget 18s would be interesting.
I saw a bottle of this at a good price, but turned it down due to the specs... might circle back, but for now I'II prefer to reward craft presentation, especially with the up-and-comers you mentioned in the earlier video (I have a bottle of Lochlea and a peated Glasgow 1770 coming my way, to join my Ardnamurchan...).
Hah. This is a great whisky, but I can't argue with your priorities! 😉
It's a shame they discontinued the anCnoc 16: "Wholly matured in the finest hand selected American Bourbon barrels", "neither chill-filtered nor coloured" and "46% Vol."
I used to use it as my "Peat: No; Sherry: No" example in 'starter packs'; now I have to use Glencadam 15 instead. Although, as we have previously established, I'm quite partial to 40% chill-filtered whiskies with e 150a... 😉
That 16 is sorely missed...
I have the same idea of “how good it could be if it was bottled at 46% and unchill filtered”. However, recently I struggled to find a light and colorful whisky that can bring in beginners. I decided to pull out this one to share with others. I have tried sharing Arran 10 but unfortunately the flavors are too intense for beginners. This light and pretty will do a better job to beginners than Glenfiddich 12.
Agree! Perfect gentle intro whisky, but it's got much more character than the standard big brand 12s! 🥃
Try Glencadam 10. Here in the States, you can get a bottle for about $40!!! It's 46%, non chill-filtered, no E150 and has a very fruity, almost white wine palate that's perfect for beginners.
@@bdwilcox Thank you for the suggestion. I ran out of Glencadam 10 stock, so I needed to improvise on what I have in the cabinet.
I would be keen to try it but it's $73 in my country so I probably won't.
maybe in some years, theyll do a 16 or 18 years, with higher ABV!
They've got a great 18 at 46%. 🥃
Ancnoc 12 was the second scotch I tried that gave me a huge wow factor. So smooth and delicious and the next step in complexity from the first scotch that wow'd me, which was Aberfeldy 12. Side be side they are almost the same but Ancnoc has the extra burst of bourbon deliciousness. Today I bought a bottle of Bunnahabhain 12 (largely due to your review) and It's also very good but I have to wait for the bottle to open up to get the full experience. I am thinking the Bunnahabhain is more sherry influenced whereas the Ancnoc is more bourbon influenced.
My question is apart from Ancnoc 12 and Bunnahabhain 12 what are the other competing whisky's for best entry level?
AnCnoc has some kind of magic in there. It's one of my favourite entry-level whiskies, even at 40%. Bunna is MUCH more sherried than AnCnoc, so we're really looking at a completely different style of whisky. A great entry-level for peat would be Ledaig 10. For bourbon, if you're up for a challenge, I'd suggest Craigellachie. For sherry I'm a fan of Edradour 10, although that's another one at 40%. Loads of options out there!
@@Gwhisky thanks so much for the recommendations. Craiggellachie 13 has been on my radar and will likely buy soon. Just worried about the sulphur/industrial notes I hear about. I know you're not big on deanston but I've also been eyeing the 12 and Virgin oak as well as the Aultmore 12 for the bourbon matured scotches
Loch Lomond 12!
What fermented yellow fruits are you thinking of? I can only think of bananas.
I get hints of pineapple and starfruit as well.
That whisky would change quite a lot if it wasn't chill-filtered and it came in at 46%. It wouldn't be the AnCnoc 12 we know and love. But I guess that would be great too. :D
I have no doubt it would be better. That being said, I admit that this kind of profile does work as a light whisky. Cheers!
To me, Ancnoc 18 is one of the best 18 year-old single malts, but 12 isn't bad either. Slainte!
Both excellent! Cheers! 🥃
I have become a bit of an Ancnoc fanboy. My shelf contains the 24, 18, 12 and 2009.
Annoc 12 can be bought for £30 in the UK whereas the 18 y/o is now £90. Is the 18 three times as good ??? (not sure but the 18 is my favourite)
Both the 18 and 24 prices have gone up dramatically in the last 12 months. The 18 used to be just over double the price of the 12 y/o. Then the 18 was probably worth it over the 12.
It's a great core range. I wish I could get my hands on the 2009. Sadly it's tough to find in my market. The 12, 18, and 24 are all excellent! 🥃
43% ABV in the US
The Specs are such a pity.87 is a good score.✔️🤓😧
I would like to press charges against the Test Dummies. They enjoyed of all things, the Cardhu 12. Not only 40% but Diageo also.
Seriously, WTF? I got onto to this whisky journey to learn about the market and why there are 230 different Single malts at my local shop from $10 (50ml Macallan) to $6000 for a 30 year Macallan.
At the low end, different strokes for different folks, I guess, and there are blends too. Glad to hear some are good.
I think some people stick with the same thing over and over again. Probably change spouses more often than their whisky choices. For me, I want a different flight everyday and sometimes I look at my collection and walk away because I can't decide what to pour.
I need the variety, too. I tend to have a lot of open bottles, more than I need. That obviously a result of the channel, I wouldn't otherwise. But I love having a little bit of everything for every mood. I also like being able to offer guests something they've never tried.
Cardhu 12 eh? Not a big fan myself. Been like 8 years though...
@@Gwhisky I would love to try this 12, but it'll have to be at a bar. Sounds like if it's available it will surely be the most interesting option. I have great memories of a dram of the NAS "Blas". A most righteous whisky.
I simply have no space for underperforming bottles. I'm thoroughly enjoying the Ancnoc 2001 vintage 14 year old and I snuck a neck pour from the 18 year old the last time I caught a new video review. I have a lot of hope for Ancnoc, at 46% and I'm kicking myself for not grabbing the 22 year old when it was on the shelf. At $155 it would have been my most expensive bottle at the time.
If you're having it at a bar, I'd suggest making it your first dram. It's likely easily overwhelmed by the bigger flavours from well-presented whiskies.
I've looked at the 2001 release before, but never pulled the trigger. Interesting...
now we all have different tastes, but I'll tell ya a little something about my taste, my taste doesn't wanna taste this whisky cause my taste tastes it as tasteless.
Fair enough! 🥃
Just as click on this video, I get a notification that Jeremy form Sippers Social Club has just posted a review of the 18 year old Anconc. Is there an Ancnoc day for Canadians? :D Anyway, I will tell you why people like this brand, because the price is fair. Fair price should be considered as a part of the natural presentation.
True! Very fair pricing and not just for the 12. The 18 is great bang-for-buck!
@@Gwhisky Even the 24 seems to have an OK price, but I haven't tried it yet.
@@CharlesOffdensen It's good!