Hi ladies, Thanks for this entertaining and honest review. I am sorry that you didn't like the 12 year. I really like anCnoc and it's whiskies. They are honest and old-school. I always have the 12 year old at home. The 18 year is excellent, too. Cheers from Germany
That's the beauty of whisky really isn't it! We all like different things and we can have long chats about it. We have opposites tastes from each other so often of one of us doesn't like a dram the other will and vice versa. Its more unusual for us both to not be so bothered about one.
The anCnoc 12 is my go to lower priced whisky. Smashes the likes of Glenfiddich and Glenlivet out the park. More complex than some people give it credit for. For the price point its great. As far as I know the 12 isnt sherry cask matured, however it is chill filtered and possibly not natural colour but the 18 and 24 year old are non chilled and natural.
I definitely think its more complex than we gave it credit for before! However, still not a fan of the 18 or 24 either. We can see why others do like it though! I found conflicting information on the casks its been in! I did do a tasting with them a couple of years ago but I can't remember what was said about the maturation on this one!
I'd have lost money betting on this one. I always find Knockdhu whisky similar to Tobermory and because of that would've thought Jen would love AnCnoc 12. But if you don't like honey, it makes sense you won't love AnCnoc 12. Very interesting review. 👏👏👏
@@TheGrailTastings so its time for breakeaway! When winter will come with cold days try to warm up a bit your self before have a dram. Just put the Earl Grey wee tea bag into a mug pour the boiled water in wait few minutes and add 2 tea spoon of good honey and slice of lemon. Blend it and sip. Its delicious and good for your health and immune. 👍🙈🥂🙋🏻♂️
Synesthesia is a fancy name for when you experience one of your senses through another. For example, you might hear the name "Alex" and see green. Or you might read the word "street" and taste citrus fruit.
Haha glad you enjoyed it! A worm tub is a condenser at the back of the still. Most distilleries have a shell and tube condenser these days. This consists of lots of tiny copper pipes that the vapours/spirit run through, alongside tiny pipes filled with cold water, to cool and condense the vapours. A worm tub is a bigger pipe running through a tub of cold water to cool and condense the vapours. With the shell and tube you get more copper contact and so fewer impurities. The older style worm tub means less copper contact and more impurities, mainly sulphur, though into the final spirit, often making it "funkier" or maybe heavier. Hope that makes sense!
@@TheGrailTastings thanks so much for the reply! I just enjoy drinking it , love to learn how it's made. I will make It to Scotland one day and check it out. I landed in Ireland on my way back to Canada from Africa once ; that's the closest I have been. Love you gals!!
"I know it's wet cuz it's liquid" sometimes the fountain of Scotch wisdom overflows 😂 Recent Scotch hunting here revealed a Cadenhead's 175th anniversary knockdhu for retail that me and the better half find quite nice. I'm sure it's a far cry from the core 12. Got a knockando 18 shipped here from the UK as a curio before it disappears altogether. Ahem. Work on that international shipping.
Hi, You aren't the first reviewers to say that AnCnoc 12 has some Ex-Sherry cask influence. However, in direct conversation with the distillery manager, Gordan Bruce, he categorically denies this. It is 100% First-Fill and Refill Ex-Bourbon barrels. Moreover, he confirmed that E150a colour has been added.
I'm with Jenn. AnNoc is not for me. There is a certain something (funk) I find in all of AnNoc's bottle nags. Yup, including the 18yo. just don't like. But a good review! You two are fun!!
Totally! I can definitely recommend it to others and they love it but its just not for me! I didn't identify it as a "funk" until now, I thought it was maybe overly sweet but I see now its a combo of the two I think!
In the US we get this at 43% which helps it. However with everything getting more expensive it's priced close to 46% ncf nc bottles so I don't buy it even though I like the distillery. A year or two ago they did a vintage release that was 12yr 46% ncf nc and a high percentage of first fill bourbon and sherry casks that for me is what the standard 12 should be.. Cheers ladies
I don’t find the honey note off putting, but it is certainly lacking development and a one dimensional finish. I always find rosemary when I smell it, maybe just me. This is the 40% mass market version but there is another line that they put up vintages 12 years old. That line is 46% unchill filtered. I couldn’t get a hand on that yet, but if you have chance, please try. Great content.
Oh rosemary is a good one, get that in a few whiskies hadn't noticed it here, yet! We didn't realise they did another line too! Will definitely need to seek that out!
I just got thin tobacco water with this one and didn't enjoy it. I got glimmers of something interesting and herbal which I did appreciate, so I wonder if the 12 has just been processed and watered down too much
Based on other reviews of this Agnoc, ai thought I'd like it. It was interesting to hear its nose is described as having bourbon notes. I'm not a fan of bourbon whiskey. I have noticed scotch aged in sherry casks seem to pick up a bourbon note, which I don't enjoy.
@@TheGrailTastings Didn't try it. I'd certainly buy a drink at a bar but would be reluctant to buy a whole bottle knowing it has notes of bourbon. Off topic question, what do you whiskey geeks think of Drambuie? It's a liquor with a whiskey base. Maybe you can have an episode that discusses Drambuie.
Your smell references are a bit scary - I worry about where your noses end up sometimes 😁. UK trip just booked - will be overwhelming with all the choices!
Complex but unremarkable? Could be interesting for its price... At least as a reference point. You don't have ham in a hot car with cheap honey on top every day after all...
Wow 30 drops! I'm sure it would! We should give that a go in the interests of experimentation but I don't think it would make us like it any better! Thanks for the tip!
I'm curious: what does Jen dislike about honey? Oh, and did you ever try the anCnoc 16 before it was discontinued? That used to be my quintessential ex-bourbon-only dram...
Oh you'll be sorry you asked and it might bring up more questions than answers.....honey smells like ferrets! No we haven't tried the 16 I don't think!
Hi ladies, Thanks for this entertaining and honest review. I am sorry that you didn't like the 12 year. I really like anCnoc and it's whiskies. They are honest and old-school. I always have the 12 year old at home. The 18 year is excellent, too. Cheers from Germany
That's the beauty of whisky really isn't it! We all like different things and we can have long chats about it. We have opposites tastes from each other so often of one of us doesn't like a dram the other will and vice versa. Its more unusual for us both to not be so bothered about one.
The anCnoc 12 is my go to lower priced whisky. Smashes the likes of Glenfiddich and Glenlivet out the park. More complex than some people give it credit for. For the price point its great. As far as I know the 12 isnt sherry cask matured, however it is chill filtered and possibly not natural colour but the 18 and 24 year old are non chilled and natural.
I definitely think its more complex than we gave it credit for before! However, still not a fan of the 18 or 24 either. We can see why others do like it though! I found conflicting information on the casks its been in! I did do a tasting with them a couple of years ago but I can't remember what was said about the maturation on this one!
Another super review.
Jen has got a new Ring….. 🫣
I think Rachel had her whisky confused with that Hall and Oates song "I Can't Go For That (No-can-do)" and Knockdhu distillery.....LOL
There actually is a distillery called Knockando ("little black hill" in Gaelic)...
The bottle I had went down well. Quite refreshing and inoffensive. Cheap as well which helps.
Agree! Inoffensive is a very good description!
I'd have lost money betting on this one. I always find Knockdhu whisky similar to Tobermory and because of that would've thought Jen would love AnCnoc 12. But if you don't like honey, it makes sense you won't love AnCnoc 12. Very interesting review. 👏👏👏
Oh an interesting comparison, I can see why you might find them similar although I don't myself!
Whew. Really delightful tasting. I truly enjoyed this. What about having a beer with it?
I bet it would pair quite well with a Scottish red ale!
I had to Google worm tubs, that's crazy.. I have never heard conversation about them before!
Thanks ladies, always learning and ye are class!
Brilliant! Thanks! We love to learn all the time too!
Love your tasting notes. “Dried ham in a hot car”… that certainly can get in the ring with our “baby puke” and “rubber he man toy from the 80s”.
😂
Could I hear in the background a “necessary works event” at 10mins23sec? 😂👍🥃 xx
Great video as always ladies, not a big lover of the 12, but the 18 is superb 🙂🥃
Thanks! We weren't that fussed for the 18 either but we have a bit of a new perspective on it now.
You girls are very entertaining, great palates😂
Thank you so much 😁
Cannot wait for the AnCnoc AnCnoc jokes.
Aw how did we miss this opportunity!?!
Love watching you guys! Great review. Always good fun. Have you never had honey in your tea? Tea is also damp I have heard..... because its a liquid😁😁
😂 We like our tea damp too! But NOT with honey in!🤢🤢🤢
@@TheGrailTastings so its time for breakeaway! When winter will come with cold days try to warm up a bit your self before have a dram. Just put the Earl Grey wee tea bag into a mug pour the boiled water in wait few minutes and add 2 tea spoon of good honey and slice of lemon. Blend it and sip. Its delicious and good for your health and immune. 👍🙈🥂🙋🏻♂️
I enjoy your thoughts on all these whiskies! I loved the Irish whisky series ❤️
Thanks! Glad you like the the Irish ones too! We're discovering some really fab Irish drams these days thanks to everyone's recommendations!
Synesthesia is a fancy name for when you experience one of your senses through another. For example, you might hear the name "Alex" and see green. Or you might read the word "street" and taste citrus fruit.
Oh yeah, I know all about this! I have colours for the days of the week and everything!!😂
‘It tastes damp”. Of wow, I never would’ve guessed 😎
Just tried my first bottle, I get the damp comment, ever smelt an old
wet towel?
Had to pause and pour a dram of it for myself. It's up there with one of my favorites. Bunna 12 is my go to now.
Great, thanks for joining in!
Crazy the "off" notes you picked up here. I still enjoy this and don't mind the honey. Cheers!
If you like honey this is the dram for you!
For me is the best 12 years 40% ABV that I tested.
Unfortunately very expensif in France
Oh really? An excuse to visit Scotland!
@@TheGrailTastings
it won't be long :-)))))
Interesting Tasting Notes! 😁👍 Old ham in a hot car! 😂
Hope that doesn't put you off!😂
@@TheGrailTastings no, I‘m Not very jumpy 😀
I like AnCnoc 12, a good 40% whisky but Jen doesn´t, opposites attract they say :) Nice review.
That was an awesome review! Old ham In a hot car! My gosh you had this Canadian laughing!! By the way what the heck is a worm tub??
Haha glad you enjoyed it! A worm tub is a condenser at the back of the still. Most distilleries have a shell and tube condenser these days. This consists of lots of tiny copper pipes that the vapours/spirit run through, alongside tiny pipes filled with cold water, to cool and condense the vapours. A worm tub is a bigger pipe running through a tub of cold water to cool and condense the vapours. With the shell and tube you get more copper contact and so fewer impurities. The older style worm tub means less copper contact and more impurities, mainly sulphur, though into the final spirit, often making it "funkier" or maybe heavier. Hope that makes sense!
@@TheGrailTastings thanks so much for the reply! I just enjoy drinking it , love to learn how it's made. I will make It to Scotland one day and check it out. I landed in Ireland on my way back to Canada from Africa once ; that's the closest I have been. Love you gals!!
"I know it's wet cuz it's liquid" sometimes the fountain of Scotch wisdom overflows 😂
Recent Scotch hunting here revealed a Cadenhead's 175th anniversary knockdhu for retail that me and the better half find quite nice. I'm sure it's a far cry from the core 12.
Got a knockando 18 shipped here from the UK as a curio before it disappears altogether. Ahem. Work on that international shipping.
🤣Glad you enjoyed that bit of wisdom!
Good name for a SMWS bottling of AnCnoc: "Don't Cnoc it 'til you try it."
They should use that! Or someone should!
I have a bottle of the 18 in front of me - non chill filtered, natural colour and 46%
Enjoy!
Hi, You aren't the first reviewers to say that AnCnoc 12 has some Ex-Sherry cask influence. However, in direct conversation with the distillery manager, Gordan Bruce, he categorically denies this. It is 100% First-Fill and Refill Ex-Bourbon barrels. Moreover, he confirmed that E150a colour has been added.
Good to know thank you!
I'm with Jenn. AnNoc is not for me. There is a certain something (funk) I find in all of AnNoc's bottle nags. Yup, including the 18yo. just don't like. But a good review! You two are fun!!
Totally! I can definitely recommend it to others and they love it but its just not for me! I didn't identify it as a "funk" until now, I thought it was maybe overly sweet but I see now its a combo of the two I think!
This is a really good review for people who haven’t tried it before.
Personally, I find it underwhelming.
Thanks! And yes, that's probably the word we were searching for!
AncNoc: The taste so powerful it befuddles the mind.
😂
In the US we get this at 43% which helps it. However with everything getting more expensive it's priced close to 46% ncf nc bottles so I don't buy it even though I like the distillery. A year or two ago they did a vintage release that was 12yr 46% ncf nc and a high percentage of first fill bourbon and sherry casks that for me is what the standard 12 should be.. Cheers ladies
Like the idea of it at 46% abv! Would be good to try!
@@TheGrailTastings There may still be some about? AnCnoc 2009 vintage, released late 2021 I think?
I don’t find the honey note off putting, but it is certainly lacking development and a one dimensional finish. I always find rosemary when I smell it, maybe just me. This is the 40% mass market version but there is another line that they put up vintages 12 years old. That line is 46% unchill filtered. I couldn’t get a hand on that yet, but if you have chance, please try. Great content.
Oh rosemary is a good one, get that in a few whiskies hadn't noticed it here, yet! We didn't realise they did another line too! Will definitely need to seek that out!
Try blending with Glen Scotia Double cask about 10 percent, both very affordable but lifts the AnCnoc to a new level, wet towel smell gone!
Oh fantastic thanks for the recommendation = we'll definitely try that!
Better still...excuse the pun, is Tomatin Legacy, great dram for the price.
I only have their Peatheart.
Is any good? Can you compare it to any peated dram? 😁🥂🙋🏻♂️
I quite liked it but very mild and light again. Can't think what it would compare too. Lacked the oomph I was looking for in a peaty dram I think.
I just got thin tobacco water with this one and didn't enjoy it. I got glimmers of something interesting and herbal which I did appreciate, so I wonder if the 12 has just been processed and watered down too much
Quite possibly!
Based on other reviews of this Agnoc, ai thought I'd like it. It was interesting to hear its nose is described as having bourbon notes. I'm not a fan of bourbon whiskey. I have noticed scotch aged in sherry casks seem to pick up a bourbon note, which I don't enjoy.
Did you try it? What did you think?
@@TheGrailTastings Didn't try it. I'd certainly buy a drink at a bar but would be reluctant to buy a whole bottle knowing it has notes of bourbon. Off topic question, what do you whiskey geeks think of Drambuie? It's a liquor with a whiskey base. Maybe you can have an episode that discusses Drambuie.
I'd say it tastes like "damp oil paint in damp autumn" when i draw paintings outside🤣
Oh yeah that could be it too!😂
Your smell references are a bit scary - I worry about where your noses end up sometimes 😁. UK trip just booked - will be overwhelming with all the choices!
Haha! Us too!😂 Great! Pop by if you are in the area! Hope you have a great time!
@@TheGrailTastings Thank you, London this time so a bit far but visiting the home of whisky is for sure on the bucket list!
Complex but unremarkable?
Could be interesting for its price... At least as a reference point.
You don't have ham in a hot car with cheap honey on top every day after all...
Defo a good one for the price! Hope the ham in a hot car doesn't out you off! 🤣
Ham in a hot car just ain't selling it for me.
Fair enough!😂
Let it breath and add 30 drops of water,give a litle swirl and let it breath again...maybe would change a bit...
Wow 30 drops! I'm sure it would! We should give that a go in the interests of experimentation but I don't think it would make us like it any better! Thanks for the tip!
@@TheGrailTastingsI know...when is bad ...its bad...😅...ok...try 15 drops instead...
Or...ad some old fashion syrup for cocktails...like 3 drops...swirl and ...give it a go...
I'm curious: what does Jen dislike about honey? Oh, and did you ever try the anCnoc 16 before it was discontinued? That used to be my quintessential ex-bourbon-only dram...
Oh you'll be sorry you asked and it might bring up more questions than answers.....honey smells like ferrets!
No we haven't tried the 16 I don't think!
@@TheGrailTastings Ah, I've never encountered ferrets myself... I do like honey, though.
@@TheGrailTastings This might be the greatest reply ever posted on the internet. 🤔 It’s a thinker.
@@TheGrailTastings I can't...I just can't...😂🤣
You ladies are a-knockin' my go to dram. Sorry 🙂
Aw sorry Drew! We can see how it is popular, just not our cup of tea so much although we can appreciate it!
I'm going to go out on a limb here and ask the question on everyone's mind: does this have a dung note?
There's something lurking in there but I don't think its dung this time!😂
Compared to cask strength Bunnahabhain 12yo.. ... EVERY THING IS PURE P#SH!!!!
Pure goat a boatle fur ma burfday!!
Happy Birthday! Enjoy! Slainte!🥃
I don’t mind the taste as long as I don’t smell it. All I can smell is wet clothes in a musty old basement.
Yep! Totally get that too!