anCnoc 24 Year

Review #082 Type: single malt scotch Strength: 46% Details: aged 24 years, matured in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Treacle colored. Swirling shows a thick line clinging to the glass, with slow-forming legs. Nose: 17/20 Primarily apples and cinnamon, with underlying notes of milk chocolate, brown sugar, and mango. A faint scent of wood polish is also present. Palate: 36/40 A pleasant creamy texture. A good blend of sweet caramel, vanilla, and berry jam against bitter black tea, oak spice, and black pepper. Finish: 35/40 A medium-long finish. It carries a light honey sweetness throughout, with hints of ripe pears and zesty lemon. It gradually becomes drier, ending with mild bitter tea tannins. With Water: A few drops of water add honey to the nose and a very mild baked bread flavor to the palate. Total: 88/100 Final thoughts: A well-balanced and enjoyable dram. It leans sweet but is kept dynamic and complex by spicy and peppery notes. I wouldn't actively seek it out but would certainly purchase a bottle if found at a good price. Thanks to a friend for the sample. Price: gifted sample Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.

Nose: outstanding, undoubtedly the finest aspect. Raisins, sherry, marsala, honey, hazelnuts, nutella, custard. Very sweet. Palate: intense sherry, marsala, wood. Exactly the kind of robust and pure whisky you'd expect: the somewhat rough palate contrasts with the sweetness of the nose, creating a highly enjoyable juxtaposition. Finish: medium-long, sherry-forward, slightly bitter. Overall, a superb product with an appealing cost. Score 4.25 _________________________________________________________________ Nose: exceptional, no doubt the best part. Raisins, sherry, marsala, honey, hazelnuts, nutella, pastry cream. Very sweet. Palate: pungent sherry, marsala, wood. A whisky just as you'd expect a strong and pure whisky: the slightly rough palate doesn't match the sweetness of the nose, but creates a very pleasant contrast. Finish: medium-long, sherried, slightly bitter. Ultimately a great product with an attractive price. Rating 4.25

Eagerly anticipated trying this for ages. Nose: Peculiar fruity chewy chocolate, brandy-soaked raisins, aged leather, vanilla chews, tart yellow fruit, dusty wood, sandalwood, a faint vegetal stew aroma, and light caramel drizzle with a whisper of sea salt. It's somewhat like an exceptionally fruity and malt-forward aged bourbon. Taste: While the sherry was obvious on the nose, it wasn't the dominant sherry bomb I anticipated on the palate. However, the rich fruit and malt are what make this stand out. It's a full-bodied experience with prominent orchard fruits and sour fruit notes. The oak and sherry then bring it into perfect balance. A rich, potent, and outstanding pour for 46% ABV. I'm rating this 3.75. This is from a sample, so it might change. It could be a 4-star or a 3.5-star. A wonderful whisky that makes me regret not purchasing it when it was reasonably priced.

Nose: Deep honey, rich red berries, toffee, mature pears and apples, dried fruit, subtle citrus peel Palate: Mild ginger heat/warmth, sweet red berries, tender pear, delicate cocoa, faint astringent black tea, whisper of citrus peel, rich honey Finish: Persistent mild ginger spice, sweet honey, ripe pear, subtle red berries, faint astringent black tea Rating: 90/100 Overall Impression: A rather pleasant spirit. Excellent aroma, well-rounded on the palate, superb from beginning to end. The astringency of over-steeped black tea is slightly bothersome, but it's otherwise quite delightful. A pleasant sherry touch enhances the sweet red berries against a wonderful honey and pear foundation. Would I partake if offered? - Absolutely Would I seek it out? - Definitely Would I purchase a bottle? - Yes

This whisky's aroma is rich with pineapple, mango, peach, and orange. Milk chocolate, marzipan, coffee powder, and the warmth of the malt contribute to a full, enveloping, and sinuous scent. As it sits, a fresher, more balsamic note emerges, with a hint of lemon zest. The palate is greeted by malt and wood, with a very waxy and sherry-forward character, presenting notes of liqueur-infused raisins, hazelnuts, cinnamon, tropical fruit, candied orange, and vanilla. This mirrors the nose, including the balsamic undertone. The finish is fairly lengthy and dry, characterized by wood, malt, orange, and hazelnut. It is a gently elegant and refined whisky, possessing a calm demeanor, skillfully balancing the sherry's influence without being overpowered by it, allowing its best qualities to shine.

This distillery appears to be another contender for the budget-friendly category. Two decades of aging have produced a classic Highland malt with integrated sherry notes. The nose has buttered toast, and the palate offers warm malty bread alongside a well-balanced mix of rich sherry flavors like spices, fruit cake, and marmalade. The medium-long finish begins pleasantly sweet and concludes somewhat dry. At $135 a bottle, it's a bargain for its age, especially considering bar markups on a 2oz pour.