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Knockando
Region: Highlands
District: Speyside
In Gaelic, Knockando (Cnoc-an-dhu) means "little
black hillock". The distillery sits on a tree-covered hill
that overlooks a sweeping panorama of the Spey river. It is
a relatively new malt, having been exported only since 1977.
The distillery was constructed in 1889. The somewhat unusual
ages at which Knockando can be found is due to the long-standing
practice/philosophy of bottling the casks only when they are
deemed to be at their peak maturation, as opposed to bottling
them automatically at certain ages. This same philosophy dictates
that the use of sherry casks is deliberately kept to a minimum
in order to preserve the delicate flavor of the Knockando.
One can find three "brands" of the Knockando. Each retains
the "Knockando style", but each having a different profile,
which is determined by the length of time that it is matured.
The most familiar brand, Knockando, is matured at least 12
years. The Knockando Special Selection is matured at least
15 years, and the Knockando Extra Old, or Reserve, is matured
at least 20 years. One can make an excellent "study" of the
effects of age with these three malts. Tough assignment, huh?
12 year old
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| Proof |
86 |
| Color |
Light gold. |
| Nose |
Aromatic. Fragrant,
flowery, dry. |
| Body |
Light to medium.
Very smooth. |
| Palate |
Complex, smooth,
flowers, nutty, and a hint of mint near the end. |
| Finish |
Long and lingering.
Soft, with some sweetness, smoky and coffee notes. |
15 year old, Special Selection
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|
| Proof |
86 |
| Color |
null |
| Nose |
Aromatic. Fragrant,
flowery, dry. |
| Body |
Medium. Very
smooth. |
| Palate |
Complex, with
more fullness than the 12-year-old. Smooth, flowers, nutty,
and a hint of mint near the end. |
| Finish |
Long and lingering.
Soft, with some sweetness, smoky and coffee notes. |
21 year old, Extra Reserve
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|
| Proof |
86 |
| Color |
Gold |
| Nose |
More rounded
and fuller than the younger versions. Aromatic. Fragrant,
flowery, dry. Traces of peat. |
| Body |
Medium. Very
smooth. |
| Palate |
Complex, with
more fullness than the younger bottlings. Smooth, flowers,
nutty, and a hint of oak near the end. |
| Finish |
Long and lingering.
Soft, with some sweetness, smoky and coffee notes. |
18 year old
|
|
| Proof |
86 |
| Color |
Light gold. |
| Nose |
Fragrant, but
with more pronounced almond aroma. |
| Body |
Medium. Soft. |
| Palate |
Smooth and with
more complexity and depth of charcter than the 12 year
old. Some sherry is evident along with the almond flavo |
| Finish |
Long with slight
sweetness and a hint of smoke and coffee. |
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