anCnoc 22 Year

Shared this with a bourbon enthusiast, even a bourbon professional. We both found it enjoyable, though not exceptional. My companion found the aroma unpleasant. Now that it's been open for some time and I've allowed a serving to air out, let's give it another try. Nose - Notes of fruit, earth, wax, and minerals. This is challenging to describe. A sweetness is present in the malt, but I can't detect the barrel finish. An aged oak funkiness is prominent, making other scents difficult to discern. A drop of water reveals more fruit; the bottle mentions holiday spices, which I'd liken more to baking spices. I don't detect any honey as claimed. Taste - This is an intricate pour. I perceive figs, raisins, honey, spices, leather, and oak. It concludes with a lasting impression of raisins accompanied by an oak presence. A persistent dusty oak/leather scent remains. It is genuinely delicious, but the aroma is flawed, perhaps even off-putting to some. I will cherish this bottle over the next few years. It's a spirit to own and contemplate, but not a masterpiece or particularly remarkable. If these characteristics appeal to you, acquire a bottle, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. I rate it 2.5 due to the complexity of the finish, which I appreciate, and I might be factoring in the value for its age. The color is also impressively rich and natural. After the initial pours Alright, the sherry influence is now dominant on both the aroma and the palate. The spices persist but are less bothersome now. I'm upgrading the score to 2.75. There's still a spicy kick, and I don't sense the age despite 22 years.

Nose: Rich notes of raisins, caramel, honey, spiced cake, lemon and orange zest, baked and fresh green apples. Taste: Spicy raisins, candied ginger spice/heat, flamed orange zest, well-oiled leather, spiced cake, vanilla, and light bitter dark chocolate. Finish: Lingering dark chocolate bitterness, a hint of leather dryness, and raisin sweetness. Score: 90/100 Final Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this dram. It presented a lovely balance between a sherry-matured malt without being overly sweet, and a pleasant spiciness to unify the elements. The only drawback I'd mention is a slight bitterness that persists for a bit too long, bordering on cigarette/cigar ash at the end of the palate, but it does dissipate. This is very well-crafted and quite pleasing. It feels more like an evening dram. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I buy a bottle? - Yes NOTE - All reviews are done without factoring in price.

My past experiences with ancnoc haven't been satisfying; the 18 and Blas were misses, and this one is too. It shows promise with notes of sherry, vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate, and a hint of dried fruit with a vegetal character. I enjoy it, but the alcohol feels unrestrained, leaving a drying ethanol sensation. Adding water didn't significantly improve it. Overall, it's a 3.5 to 3.75, but it had the capacity for more if the 'balance' aspect of the 'bbc' (body, balance, complexity) was stronger. I would not purchase a bottle.

The smell is predominantly heather honey, pollen, cream soda, and powdered malt. The taste is full of milk chocolate, mild sweet peat, vanilla, and a malt ball finish. Chewing reveals a hint of chimney smoke. A spirit that indulges the senses, evoking the song "Alabama" by The Doors (whisky bar). While it may not be the height of complexity, it beckons for many more servings. "Oh show me the way to the next whisky bar, oh don't ask why, oh don't ask why..."

It has a sweet and spicy character, reminiscent of Clynelish and Dalmore with their fig, dark fruit, and oak notes, plus a touch of chili oil. A truly distinctive and pleasing whiskey, in my view.

Fruitcake on the nose, sweet and smooth on the palate. The finish wasn't as long as I anticipated but was delightful nonetheless.