anCnoc Batch 2 Peatheart
Just in at Whisky Boys HQ is a sample of a new anCnoc expression, Peatheart. This small distillery was established in 1894 and through the years its production methods have hardly changed.
AnCnoc is produced at Knockdhu Distillery, which sits in the shadow of the ‘Black Hill’ (Knockdhu in Gaelic) near Huntly in Aberdeenshire.
It was a good few years ago that the distillery manager, Gordon Bruce invited Nicola and I up to the distillery to work 2-3 days doing 12 hour shifts. This enabled us to get up close and personal with all aspects of the production, even allowing us to decide when to make the middle cut of the spirit run. A once in a lifetime experience, still well remembered to this day.
Let’s talk about this new expression, bottled in 70 cl bottles at 46% alc/vol and jnon-chilled filtered with a peat content of 40 ppm. Matured in bourbon barrels with no age statement.
Let’s have a wee taste.
anCnoc Peatheart Batch 2 – Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Heavily Peated, 46% Alc/vol 70 cl
Colour…Sun-bleached straw.
Nose…First thoughts were Islay. Gentle smoke was burnt heather, honey-cured smoked ham, a boat builder’s workbench, puff candy sweetness, ripe fruit (green apples and pears).
Taste…Effervescent, earthy, sweet and chewy, rich smoke, honey on burnt toast, sackcloth and ashes, cinder toffee, BBQ ribs, simplicity at its best.
Finish…Long and warming, a light sweetness and a hint of spice, a delight.
As I said my first thoughts were Islay, but this dram offers something a bit different. It has a bit more refined character. With a RRP of only £51.95.
A joy to taste and this bottling is sure to make into The Whisky Boys cabinet and will be used in future tastings.
Well done to Gordon and his team at anCnoc distillery you have once again got a winner on your hands.