anCnoc Peatheart

While the standard 24-year-old Ancnoc did not fully win me over, I was curious about this distillery's take on peated expressions. After sampling many different whiskies, I've found that I not only prefer peated spirits but also tend to rate them higher than unpeated ones. This no-age-statement bottling from Knockdhu Distillery greets you with an inviting peat aroma, noted at 40 ppm, placing it in the medium range. It's certainly not overpowering, offering more of a s'mores or toasted marshmallow vibe blended with a vanilla-orange marmalade. It's straightforward yet develops richness with patience. I genuinely enjoy it. The palate is more subdued, featuring a gentle red pepper warmth while maintaining a sweetness reminiscent of whole grain biscuits. The oak is present. The smoke is present. The bourbon cask influence is present. All elements are harmoniously blended into a simple, pleasant, and approachable spirit, perfect for easy drinking. Initially, I felt it lacked complexity, intensity, and a more engaging finish. However, I came to understand that this whisky isn't aiming for a multifaceted experience. Instead, it delivers a pleasant peated, young, sweet, and woody dram suitable for an evening. It accomplishes this admirably. I appreciate it for what it is and it makes me keen to explore older, more refined peated Ancnoc bottlings.

COLOR: Very pale gold, resembling diluted pear nectar. VISCOSITY: Small, thick beads that lingered on the glass, descending as thin streaks. AROMA: Delicate (2/5); tart, floral heather peat; creamy; butterscotch and honey; faint fresh red apples; a hint of citrus and lime; earthy undertones; minimal to no smoke. WITH WATER (5 drops into 10mL): increased peat presence and some wisps of smoke; sweetness lessened. Score 7/10 TASTE: Robust (4/5); sweet honey; firming creamy peat; abundant smoldering smoke; notes of citrus, black pepper; drying oak; slight earthiness. WITH WATER: improved; sweeter; more peat; significantly more smoke. Score 7.5/10 AFTERTASTE: Comforting and extended; persistent highland honey and peat smoke. WITH WATER: lengthier and sharper, with a drying sensation. My tongue feels scorched and numb. Score 7.5/10 GENERAL IMPRESSION: A rather pleasant and subtly peated Highlander; enhanced with water. Weighted Score 7.4/10 VISUALIZATION: The bee farm is ablaze!

Never disappointed by anCnoc. With every bottle, I remain impressed by their ability to produce both peated and unpeated products. They are definitely among my favorite distilleries! #Top3 Like all their peated expressions, it is very pale. The aroma resembles smoked bacon. On the palate, it's quite sweet with tastes of smoke, pears, and vanilla. The finish is very long and peppery. It's genuinely well-made and balanced. The best anCnoc bottle I have tasted. Solid, solid. Bottle opened in 2021-09.

Nose: Strong peaty notes of black pepper with hints of leather; green apple and iodine. Palate: Oily with caramel and peat; butterscotch and sultana; faint pepper. Finish: Very well-balanced; smooth and peaty, though not smoldering; relatively short but not disappointing—slow fading embers. Overall: A really pleasant dram. Would be nice to try a few different variations as it ages.

Nose. Hints of peat and medicinal qualities, with black pepper and citrus zest. Mouth. Velvety and spicy, with increased peat and smoke. It's subtle and nicely balanced, though it seems a little youthful. Finish. A sweet, spicy taste provides a pleasant warmth and lingers for a considerable duration. Truly delightful.

Nose: - Ribs that were smoked, like from a BBQ - Bacon - Peat that is earthy and herbal - Peat moss - Seaweed - Charcoal - Pear - Floral notes - Vanilla flower - Lime peel Palate: - Pear - Chocolate - Very light - Peat that is medicinal - Lime peel