
July 20, 2018

Two wee Knockando

My compatriots keep quaffing it all, it seems. So not much Knockando around I’m afraid, while the indies just wouldn’t do any. I remember an old Cadenhead, then some by Blackadder, D. Laing and D. Taylor, and that’s more or less it. But I’ve probably missed a few…

Knockando 12 yo 2004 (43%, OB, +/-2016)

We’re trying to taste most vintages of this baby. They’re usually good, pretty easy, and in my opinion do make for perfect access-category malt whiskies. Colour: straw. Nose: it really is very nice, and it seems that there’s rather less ‘caramel/fudge-y’ notes than, say ten years ago. Nice malty notes, Weetabix, Jaffa cake, apple crumble, sponge cake, compote, milk chocolate, chicory… Mouth: a tad rougher, and this time you’ll find a caramelly side. Mars bar, toasted bread, brioche… The background is a wee tad oaky/drying, perhaps, or say on bitter chocolate, but that’s more than fine, really. Finish: medium, very much on chocolate. Some marmalade and tobacco in the aftertaste. Comments: solid, rather firmer than its lighter compadre Cardhu, and a little old-school. We’re talking 1980.
SGP:441 – 81 points.

Knockando 18 yo 1994 ‘Slow Matured’ (43%, OB, +/-2012)

Missed this one when it came out, sorry. Oh, and did you ever notice that strictly all Knockandos are bearing vintage statements? Oh, and always liked that mention, ‘slow matured’. I suppose they’re using those famous ‘long years’ that other makers are advertising ad libitum. Colour: gold. Nose: pear cake and white chocolate, plus Weetabix again and marzipan. Some coffee too. I think this one’s much nicer than the 1995 and 1996 that I’ve already tried (do first things first next time, S.!) Mouth: yes, this is fine, really, even if I enjoyed the brighter 12 better. Many burnt cakes, some kind of smoked cakes, brownies, Ovaltine, chicory, bitter oranges, walnuts… Tends to become oloroso-y indeed, but there’s also this drying side, cocoa, black tea… Finish: medium, chocolaty, roasted, malty. Comments: again, I tend to enjoy the 12 a wee bit better, but both are very fine drams in my book.
SGP:451 - 81 points.

Check the index of all Knockando we've tasted so far