Knockando Slow Matured 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

"Dense, intense, sharp, full...just sheer barley...concentrated... Beautiful for sure." - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible.

High quality sherry casks are considered a luxury in the world of whisky, and the spirits they mature often command top dollar. This is the second oldest age statement and reportedly the most Sherry influenced expression in the Knockando line up. Akin to a ‘cleaner’, toned-down and more contemporary version of Glendronach 18 or Glengoyne 21, it retains distinct notes of dried fruits in a soft, succulent delivery making it the perfect choice for anyone wanting to acquaint themselves with sherried styles without emptying their wallet. The deep colour will be the first attractor for sherry-heads. An appealing medley of fruity American oak and winey sweetness comes next, which is also mildly nutty (think walnuts / almonds). Air contact develops the dried fruit aspect with prunes, dried fig, raisin slice and honey. Later hints of ‘old books’ and rancio too. First taste and you get a beautifully rounded mouthfeel with classic dried fruit / sherry input followed by light orange zest. Poached orchard fruits, sweet spice and pepper notes build through the medium long finish. It's simply a lovely balance of mature woody / fruity aromas and flavours that's too easy to like. Indulge as often as you can find it at the right price. Matured in European x-sherry casks and x Bourbon. 43% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Malt. To the power of malt... the barley boasts a malt intensity that is rare to match in pure atomic mass; Dense, intense, sharp, full...just sheer barley...concentrated... Beautiful for sure. 94 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021

In Gaelic, Knockando (Cnoc-an-dhu) means "little black hillock". Neighbouring big names like Cardhu and Glenfarclas, Knockando is situated on an isolated bend of the Spey River. It’s another Diageo dark horse distillery, with the major component going into the J&B blends. It was founded in 1898 by John Thomson and in the early 1900s was the first Speyside distillery to use electricity. Closed two years after its creation, it was then acquired by W&A Gilbey Ltd, the famous Gin producers from London. The distillery was rebuilt in 1969, when it doubled its production capacity. More recently it became part of the Diageo group. The whiskies are not always available on Australian shores. Only 8% of the production is marketed as single malt, typically bottled with a vintage statement. They persist with a long-standing practice of bottling the casks only when they are deemed to be at their peak maturation, as opposed to bottling them automatically at certain ages. Lightly smoky, fruity, nutty whiskies like Knockando complement the savoury notes in vegetarian dishes such as tapenade or vegetarian haggis.