Whiskeytemple_Vladimir 
Оценка: 86/100. По спомен, цената му трябва да е около 50-тина лева.
Knockando 12 y.o. single malt whisky
„There, on the hill in the luminous skies …“
This is a line from a wonderful song of Bulgarian music group „BTR“. The song is called „Diamond and glass“. Amazing song, and the band I consider even more prominent. In my opinion, if they were born in America, they would’ve been international stars. But why I bother you with music? Because of the name of the distillery, whose whisky I will present you in the following lines. The distillery is called Knockando, and translated from Scottish Gaelic means „Little Black Hill“ – a geographical concept, of which, perhaps, „BTR“ could invent new ingenious song. The distillate is 12-year-old – this is Knockando 12 y.o. single malt whisky, distilled in 1997.
What more can be said about the distillery? It is founded in 1898 by John Thomson in the eponymous village in Speyside. Like many other distilleries of this period, Knockando arises at the time of the great whiskey boom in the late 19th century. A little later, however, is affected by the collapse caused by the scandal with Pattison brothers, who were traders and blenders, but after being convicted of fraud, the companies having trade relations with them, suffered financially. In 1904 Knockando was purchased by the gin producer „W & A Gilbey“ /an English company owning and Redbreast Irish whiskey at that time/ for £3,500 which in 1962 united with „United Wine Traders“, part of which were and „Justerini & Brooks“ /known from the labels of „J&B“ whisky/. Under the new management, the company received a cash injection, as its manufacturing capabilities were increased, and a large part of its malt production was directed to the ‘J&B’ blend. At present, the distillery is owned by Diageo. In 2005 its malt is added to the so-called ‘Classic Malts’ range of Diageo, including also Cragganmore, Oban, Talisker, Cardhu, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie and Clynelish. Its annual production capacity is 1 800 000 liters of alcohol. The whisky is matured in ex-sherry casks and ex-bourbon barrels, in which is aged Maker`s Mark or Jack Daniel’s Tennessee whiskey. And before I proceed with my notes, I’ll mention that Knockando was the first distillery to use electricity for lighting /it spins around in my mind, that Glen Grant distillery was also famous for such innovation/.
Aroma – salt, salted caramel candies /a scent, which I found also in Dalmore 18 y.o. single malt whisky/, leather and a big dose of tobacco, smoked fruits, honey, pears, caramel, raisins, dried fruits, slight perfume aromas. With water – the scent became sweeter, but still dominated by the hints of leather and tobacco. Taste – a hint, which I associated with rye, sweetness, mild spiciness, oiliness, dried fruits, with a longer swirling of the liquid in the mouth appeared stronger spiciness and very pleasant „tingling“ on the tongue. After the drops of water – the fruits stood out, minty freshness, a weak note of homemade vanilla cream, woody taste. Finish – medium in length, honey, light bitterness followed by sweetness, dried plums, and after the addition of water – more dried fruits and sweetness.
Assessment: 86/100.
