Knockdhu anCnoc Rascan
July 23, 2024
This time, the pour comes from a limited edition release put out by the Knockdhu Distillery. It’s the anCnoc Rascan, born near the town of Knock, in the Aberdeenshire council of the Highland region of Scotland.
There is some confusion around this whisky when it comes to branding. The spirit is produced by the Knockdhu Distillery, which means “Black Hill” in Gaelic. It’s a big hill next to the distillery where their water comes from. But because that distillery name sounds kind of close to the Knockando Distillery, starting in 1994, Knockdhu changed the branding of its whisky releases to anCnoc, which means “the hill” in Gaelic. One of those rare cases where the name of the distillery and the single malt whisky it sells are two different names. Unless, of course, you buy an independent bottling of their spirit where you’ll usually find the independent bottlers using the Knochdhu name. Like I said, somewhat confusing.
Much like its region of origin. The Scotch Whisky Association classifies it as a Speyside whisky but they prefer to call themselves a Highland whisky, which they’re certainly entitled to do. I think they just want to keep you on your toes.
And the name of this particular whisky? There are five anCnoc releases that have the names of various tools used in the growing and harvesting of peat. This one, the rascan, is a tool used to break up the top level of rough ground and expose the peat for harvesting.
This non aged statement release, with a little bit of smoke, has been matured in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels and has been bottled at 46 percent ABV. They have done great job in stating everywhere that this whisky is non-chill filtered and has no color added. Just the way whisky should be.
The natural color has a light hue to it, like a white wine. And the viscosity displays some medium fast legs down the glass.
Nose:
It’s initially fruity on the nose. Then I get a great childhood sensation, Bazooka Joe bubble gum. There’s a kind of soap scent, then keeping it in the bathroom I pick up toothpaste. An unusual antiseptic spray smell is noticeable. Then I get the pleasant aroma of vanilla. Even though it’s an inland distillery, I get the sense that there’s a little coastal there. And lemon.
Palate:
Right off the bat you can easily pick up that here’s a nice sweet and peat combination going on here. The sweetness manifests itself like brown sugar. There’s a surprisingly chemically taste of rubber bands. If you can imagine the first layer of road tar that gets laid down on a hot summer day, then you get the next flavor I pick up. And licorice.
Even though it’s at a comfortable 46 percent ABV, I felt it was best to counteract that little bit of peat with a little bit of water.
Nose + Water:
That slight dilution brings up the smell of ginger ale for me. That’s followed by the sensation of being in a musty warehouse, which is okay because I LIKE musty warehouses. And then maybe some sweet honey.
Palate + Water:
The water releases more sugars. I also get caramel. There’s the taste of coffee, although not in an overpowering way. And a little more noticeable smoke shows up on the tongue.
Finish:
The finish is long. There is some subtle sweetness on the lips. That sweetness gets pushed aside, however. for some end-of-the-night-ashtray-full cigarette ash, but then there’s some lingering “caramel toffee candies” “lurking about”, to balance things out.
Rating:
The peatiness of this rascan release comes in at 11.1 ppm so it’s not intended to be a barn burner like a Bruichladdich Octomore which comes in at over a hundred PPM higher. But there’s just enough of the smoke bite there to make you sit up and take notice. This is a tasty pour. But whether or not you should buy it comes down to a simple value proposition, in my opinion. At the time of this review it was available at quite a few online sites. If you’re being asked to pay in the hundred dollar range, I don’t think it’s quite unique enough and you might be paying too much. But if you can score it for under $50, then, by all means, scoop it up. I’m giving the Knockdhu anCnoc rascan limited edition release an 8 finger pour.
Age Statement: NAS
ABV: 46 %
Chill Filtered: no
E150a caramel coloring added: no
Average Price (750ml): $50 (US)
