We sell gift vouchers - for more details call us on 0115 911 0555 or email us at eann@gauntleys.com
We sell gift vouchers - for more details call us on 0115 911 0555 or email us at eann@gauntleys.com
Region: Speyside (Speyside-Glenlivet)
Owner: Diageo
Founded: 1898
Knockando is one of those distilleries that quietly goes about its business with what appears to be a minimal amount of fuss. You won’t see it releasing shouty adverts proclaiming some old weird cask finish release, no, it just gets on with the job of making whisky, which, like many distilleries ends up in the hands of blenders, principally the J&B blend.
As I have mentioned, distilleries that rely on sales to the blenders are left at the mercy of not only the blenders whims, but also the whims of the whisky buying public. When tastes change distilleries have no option but to change their style. Sometimes this requires a crystal ball and as we know crystal balls can be notoriously unreliable at predicting the future. Knockando has no such problems however as the J&B blend was specifically created for the American market and those delicate souls obviously can’t deal with big, heavy robust blends, so lightness is the order of the day. The production at the distillery is a classic example of balance and as you have probably guessed by now, I do like my balance.
(Image Copyright James Mortimer Photography)
In order to tread the line between producing a spirit that is a bit lightweight and one that has an element of robustness, the distillery has come up with an interesting working practice. Starting in the mashtun, the distillery does sixteen mashes per week over its five working days. Once the wort is transferred to the tradition Douglas Fir washbacks half is fermented fairly quickly, 48 to 50 hours and half longer, at around 100 hours. The resulting combination wort will then give a bedrock of both fruity esters and a heavier cereally character. Let’s call it a hybrid-wort!
The distillation time in the spirit still is fairly quick and although the still themselves feature short necks they also feature considerably large boil balls, add to that shell and tube condensers and that balance of typical Speyside floral/ grassiness is augmented by a rich, nutty character. When I first tasted Knockando’s single malt I felt it was definitely in the light, which is indicative of the J&B blend, but over the years I have noticed a subtle shift towards a fuller bodied style with more of the honey richness on display along with a bit more oak character too.
(Image Copyright James Mortimer Photography)
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