Review #215: AnCnoc 18

Speyside - 18 - NCF - NCA - $110 - 46%

AnCnoc is the name of the whisky from the Knockdhu distillery.  It is a blend of Spanish oak ex-Sherry and American oak ex-bourbon.  

Color - Russet 

Nose - Golden raisins, orange marmalade, vanilla, coconut, lemon drops, more floral notes

Palate - Apricots, fresh apples, candied lemons, baking spices- very oily mouthfeel for 46%

Finish - Long - Spice, peppers, citrus, and treacle - a touch hot for 46%

Overall - 7 - Wow, I was really surprised by this one.  I like AnCnoc 12, but as a cheap daily dram, not as anything really worth exploring.  The nose is lovely, it just evolves going from the familiar AnCnoc lemon drops through a complex fruity and floral aroma's.  The palate and finish is not super complex, but is balanced.  The fruit, citrus, spice and sweetness just work so well together.  

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Rating system is price influenced as it is based on my shopping decisions when buying a bottle.

10 Best in Show

9 Great Dram for Special Occasions

8 Worthy of consistent spot in my collection

7 Worth picking up a bottle if in the mood

6 I would buy a bottle if it went on sale
5.5 I really enjoyed but it will never be priced at where I would buy a bottle

5 I would drink it happily if offered

4 I would drink it if offered on the rocks

3 Maybe some soda will make this potable

2 I'll Pass

1 Toilet cleaner

Inclusive Ratings

Overall 6.1

Standard Deviation 0.91

Skew 0.66

Kurtosis -0.16