Review #73: Knockdhu 18yr 1978/1996, Adelphi, 58.8%, Cask #1888, 638 bottles

also known as An Cnoc

This is from Knockdhu, which the distillery is still called, even though the OB's are now called An Cnoc, to avoid confusion with Knockando, I guess, because none of this is confusing. They've had some pretty labels in duty free, but haven't established much else of an identity yet, I don't think. They're an 80's whisky crisis distillery in Speyside that managed to re-open.

This one smells sherried -- although not too much so -- right out of the bottle, which makes sense given the output of 638 bottles at 58.8%

nose: it starts very grassy, actually, with a touch of smoke and aspirin, before it nicely turns into soft cider and raisins with a hint of marshmallow. all sorts of very subtle sherry notes in the background: dusty old leather, cocoa, honey ...

palate: nicely balanced between sweet and bitter, with a little saline nip, too. cider apples, vanilla, dried fruit, and cocoa. a little bit of a burn, too (58.8%1), but not particularly full bodied.

finish: longish, but the alcohol takes over where the fruit and spices leave off.  I should probably add water, but I like it fine like this.


This strikes me a nice, well-made, Speyside malt from a very good refill sherry butt. There's nothing spectacular here, but also nothing wrong. I really should add some water, but I like it a lot.

score: 85