Knockando 32yo 1986/2019 Casks of Distinction

Knockando 32yo 1986/2019 Casks of Distinction

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Mahogany
47.9% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, prunes, honey, red grapes, cream, weetabix, malted grains, hints of hibiscus. 
Mouthfeel: Heavy body, syrupy, thickens, mouth coating.
Tasting:  Sweet. Weetabix, black pepper, prunes, red grapes, raisins, honey, dried apricots, dried blueberries, hints of hibiscus. 
Finish: Long. Malted grains, weetabix, cream, prunes, dried apricots. 

Comments: 

Cask 394. A very sophisticated dram, very classic aged whisky. Layered and complex with loads of black pepper and dried fruit. There’s also a very prominent cereal note with a mouth watering mouth feel.  Great whisky. 

Verdict:

I like this.

Knockando 13yo 1974/1987

Knockando 13yo 1974/1987

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber gold
40% ABV
Dram

Nose: Pears, raisins, orange peel, lohan fruit, nutmeg, cloves, hints of leather. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, loosens, volatile, expands. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Raisins, leather, lohan fruit, cloves, vanilla sponge, orange peel, hints of cinnamon. 
Finish: Long. White pepper, lohan fruit, vanilla sponge, orange peel. 

Comments: 

Quite herbal, lots of raisiny dried fruit flavours with plenty of vanilla. No water, it’s perfectly drinkable as is. The finish is surprisingly peppery and fragrant.

Verdict:

I like this a lot. 

Knockando 12yo 2007/2020

Knockando 12yo 2007/2020

Vintage, Signatory
Single malt - Speyside 
Pale silvery gold
46% ABV
Dram

Nose: Cream, white wine, sour cream, sandalwood, lemon zest, hints of tyre rubber. 
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens, tingly, warm. 
Tasting:  Sour sweet. White wine, sour cream, raisins, cinder toffee, sandalwood, white pepper, hints of tyre rubber. 
Finish: Long. Cinder toffee, white pepper, caramel, vanilla, hints of sandalwood. 

Comments: 

Tart, rich, fragrant, and slightly sulphurous, this whisky is complex and interesting. I haven’t had Knockando for a good few years, but this one is quite good, so I’m going to search out a few more.

Verdict:

I like this.

Knockando 25 yo 1985/2011

Knockando 25 yo 1985/2011

Official bottling 
Single malt - Speyside
Dark red
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Red grapes, red wine, raisins, plums, black pepper, dried cranberries.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, thickens slightly, static.
Tasting: Sweet. Red grapes, raisins, plums, apricots, black pepper, dried cranberries, hints of cucumber.
Finish: Short. Honey, cucumber, raisins, plums, red grapes.

Comments:

Matured in first fill sherry casks, and it shows. Grapes, fresh and dried and vinous, spiced up with black pepper and perhaps a hint of cucumber. Reminds me - somehow - of a good vermouth, fruity botanical flavours in a gentle red wine sleeve.

Verdict:

I like this a lot.

Knockando 12 yo

Knockando 12 yo

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Amber
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, butter, chocolate, honey, vanilla, plums, prunes, hints of redcurrants.
Mouthfeel: Medium body, loosens, cool, slightly tingly.
Tasting: Sweet. Chocolate, raisins, honey, prunes, apples, hints of cinnamon, hints of redcurrants.
Finish: Short. Peanuts, chocolate, apples, honey, prunes.

Comments:

A refreshingly sweet and fruity whisky. A very decent dessert wine, with slight tart notes on the nose and on the tongue. Not very unusual flavours, but very well made.

Verdict:

I like this.

Knockando 1981 Extra Old

Knockando 1981 Extra Old

Official bottling
Single malt - Speyside
Dark gold
43% ABV
Dram

Nose: Raisins, oak, coconuts, pears, peat, hints of wood smoke, hints of strawberries.
Mouthfeel: Light body, slightly oily, smooth, warming.
Tasting: Sweet sour. Oranges, pears, raisins, white wine, roses, peat, hints of wood smoke, hints of toffee.
Finish: Short. Salt, raisins, white wine, roses.

Comments:

An obscure official bottling indeed! Tastes quite young, not like a flavourful 1981. Quite enjoyable and refreshing though.

Verdict:

I like this.