Where do they get these names….I mean honestly?! 9 year old AnCnoc (or Knockdhu as it were) that’s been drawn from a refill ex-bourbon barrel.
Nose: Dried mango and fresh peach slices served on top a bowl of golden cereals dashed with both milk and some indulgent cream. Deeper - buttered popcorn, Bird’s custard, olive oil and a smear of table polish. Dilution adds crumbled biscuits and freshly-baked bread alongside a scattering of dried basil and a pang of rocky minerality.
Taste: The arrival continues where the nose left off – peaches and apricots with bright cereals. Quite lovely. Then, we’re on a rollercoaster – first stop, vegetalness with green peppers and sauerkraut – then, a spice market for white pepper and ginger. Final stop, grainy bread and a scattering of zest lemon. Quite the ride. Reduction is all bakery – rolled pastry, toasted bread and doughy buns.
Finish: Medium and very greenhouse – peppers and vines with ripening warm stone fruits.
A well composed and tasty AnCnoc that offers a good combination of sweet and savoury, and a fairly wild development on the palate. No meatiness for me though – a case of hide the sausage?!