First Impressions
anCnoc 12 is the kind of whisky that slips under the radar of casual drinkers — and rewards the ones who pick it up handsomely. Clean, bright, and immediately refreshing, it is a benchmark for what a sub-£40 Highland single malt can achieve.
Distillery & Heritage
The distillery is called Knockdhu — founded in 1894 at the foot of Knock Hill in Aberdeenshire — but the single malt is bottled under the name anCnoc (Gaelic for 'the hill') to avoid confusion with the unrelated Knockando distillery. Owned by Inver House, Knockdhu runs a very traditional operation with worm tubs and slow distillation.
Tasting Notes in Detail
The nose offers lemon zest, cut grass, vanilla fudge and honeysuckle — a classic unpeated Highland calling card. The palate is honey-forward: barley sugar, vanilla custard, a little citrus peel and an almond-skin nuttiness from the ex-bourbon casks. The finish is medium and clean.
Verdict
At around £38, anCnoc 12 is one of the smartest everyday buys on the shelf. A perennial recommendation for anyone asking where to start beyond the obvious names.
