A trio of Knockando


January 5, 2022

A trio of Knockando

Always a joy to try this easier malt that remains a big hit in France. Sometimes you need easier sessions, especially during this very busy season…
1983 -> Remember that in Scotch whisky, age doesn't matter but time does. Sure, be my guest.

Knockando 15 yo 2005/2020 (43%, OB, Richly Matured)

This one's 'Richly Matured', while other official Knockandos are rather 'Slow Matured'. This is a familiar label in our wee country… Colour: light gold. Nose: I find it rather less sherried and rather grassier and nuttier than before. Some pils and some bitterer black teas, walnut skins, whiffs of button mushrooms, toasts, and just a mocha-spoon of dark honey… Mouth: rather light, malty and on beers, with some toffee, Nescafé, breads and leaves. Something a little bitter, some green walnuts, a wee dustiness, some oak spices, Seville oranges… I find it pretty fine, perhaps actually a tad rounder than last time, not too sure. Finish: a little short and tea-ish. More oak spices, leaves and a little cardboard in the aftertaste. Remains very okay, though. Comments: nothing earthshattering but a rather good drop.
SGP:451 - 79 points.

Knockando 18 yo 2001/2019 (43%, OB, Slow Matured)

I believe this is the latest vintage of the 18. Colour: pale amber. Nose: a whole different game, with some richer sherry, perhaps drops of moscatel, various honeys and nougats, pastries, orange blossom water, Turkish delights, old wine barrels, Jaffa cakes… Well this is really pleasant on the nose. Mouth: really better than I remembered it from earlier vintages, with indeed more honey, sweet wine (gewurz VT), some apricot jam, also something exotic with some mango jelly… Lovely notes of homemade marmalade too, then some cocoa powder. Finish: medium, more drying because of that cocoa powder, but very fine, with these jams that are still here. Honey-coated roasted pecans in the aftertaste, really a hit in any household. Some Smyrna raisins too. Comments: really better than I remembered the 18, is there an actual vintage effect? High quaffability ratio.
SGP:541 - 85 points.

Signatory are having some indie Knockandos from time to time, which is cool…

Knockando 12 yo 2007/2020 (46%, Signatory Vintage, Un-chillfiltered Collection, hogsheads, casks #304095-304097)

Colour: virtually white. Nose: pure crushed barley, grist, porridge, then white asparagus and granny smith. A drop of lime juice, a little yoghurt, something slightly acetic. A toddler's gym socks. Mouth: very little wood, rather a mentholy and sugary development, some curaçao perhaps, peppermint syrup, white chocolate, apple juice… It's actually pretty simple, and even a little newmakey here and there, but it is a good eau-de-vie de barley. Finish: medium, pretty naked. Barley syrup. Cappuccino in the aftertaste. Comments: sadly, the very good official 18 would tend to try to kill this one. I remember a sister batch (casks #304102-304106) that had been more to my liking. Still a perfectly good one, in my humble opinion.
SGP:541 - 80 points.

Next Knockando session, perhaps in 2023.

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