ralfy review 1028 - AnCnoc 12yo @40%vol: (2024)

[@chrisgwhisky]

A gateway whisky for me, and worth coming back to. When I was just a wee whisky noob, my local whisky shop recommended this and Bunnahabhain 12-year old. What a couple of fantastic recommendations to start out with…

[@peteacher52]

Bunnahabhain 12-year old is about the nicest I have tried and a very far cry from my untutored days of believing Johnny Walker Black Label to be the King of Whiskies!!

[@mrnosebear7406]

I am just enjoying a dram of the anCnoc 18 years that is sitting in my stash. What a wonderful dram. I always have the anCnoc 12 in my cabinet and I have an older version from the early 2000. The older version has some old bottle flavour which is fantastic. I also have all the peated versions in my collection. Keep on doing an excellent job, my dear Ralfy. Cheers from Oliver P.S. I have the 24 year old in my stash, too and two independent bottlings.

[@mrnosebear7406]

The Knockdhu Distillery is owned by Inver House having Balblar, Balmenach, Pulteney and Speyburn in their portfolio. Inver House also produces blends as Hankey Bannister, Catto's and Mac Arthur's. Inver House is now owned by ThaiBev in Thailand.

[@mr2gordons940]

Would that make it owned by a corporate multinational? I've not seen the definitive description of those.

[@dextercool]

The maltosphere should be aware there are 46% approx. 12 year old Ancnocs for sale that are labelled with vintage years (rather than age statements). There's also the CS Blas.

[@darrak1]

Vintages come at 14yo (or 15yo) and have more sherry casks in the mix than the normal 12yo. They are superb.

[@JC-77]

I purchased a bottle, here in the US at 43%, about 8-10 months ago. My first pour i didn't really like but I can't quite remember why. I gave it another shot a few months later and still was not blown away and shoved it into the back of the cabinet. Then I saw a video for 18y a month or so ago a decided to dig this 12y back out. What a change from what I first recall. I definitely enjoy it now and tonight sitting here with a dram watching your video has helped me enjoy it more. Thanks!

[@nguye578]

Can confirm that the US bottles are 43% and in my area is usually $40-$50 USD. A real gem compared to some of the bigger brand 12 years that are pushing $70+. I was able to find a store which had these on sale for $35 and I picked up 2 bottles. Absolutely crazy.

[@brianmundie1647]

Hi Ralfy , Cadenheads recently put out a 10yrd Knockdhu at 46% finished in a fino cask & its a belter

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Dear Ralfy, I didn’t have this bottle so I am sipping along with a Hazelburn 10 which I thoroughly enjoy 😉 thanks to you a few years ago. Thanks and my kindest regards, Sandro

[@JonathanRL98]

Picked it up on your recommendation and i'm really enjoying it. Thanks Ralfy!

[@jimster24]

Talking of bangers, Ralfy, I’m just in the process of comparing and contrasting the Ralfy Signatory bottling of the 16yr old Glenlivet, with the Springbank Society 16yr old Hazelburn! Absolutely superb, both of them! ❤

[@richardgenerazio5280]

Thank you for all you do Sir! Cheers!

[@anton7288]

It’s good indeed. My bottle started with an interested note of raw peanuts 🥜 However after some time it was gone and the drams became very enjoyable. As it’s 40% only I put it usually as a warm up before more powerful bottles. So it was gone much quicker than other bottles I have. You can get this for 27 euros at some European markets while Arran 10 46% is around 30 (sometimes even lower!). I hope they will make anCnoc 12 right after all!

[@rockers09plays13]

I recently visited knockdhu distillery whilst at the Speyside Festival and its fantastic! The staff are very experienced and happy to share their knowledge and the manager, Gordon Bruce is just a legend who is keen to keep producing top whisky and keep the prices affordable.

[@WhoeverNevermind]

I vividly recall the last time you reviewed this bottle. You convinced me to make the purchase, and I must say, wow... Here in Spain, "summer whiskys" are highly valued due to the temperatures, and this bottle has become a permanent fixture in my collection. Not only do I absolutely love it, especially during the summer months, but everyone I've shared it with has also fallen in love with it. An incredible whisky, in my humble opinion.

[@chentim1751]

I did not buy it because it is only 40% , but I was able to pick some AnCnoc 18 and 24 in Taiwan at decent prices, these are great drams!! thanks, Ralfy for your recommendation. I may try 12 since it is only $ 30 in Taiwan.

[@rojanshabani]

I enjoyed Duncan Taylor's bottles of Knockdhu/Ancnoc in the Octave series or Meadowside in the Maltman series. However, after watching your review, I realized that I'm missing the flavor of the standard bottle, and I will get one again. It's a beautiful classic!

[@GeoffreyBangers]

No spam here, Ralfy, just a fan. Love Acnoc, love your reviews, been here watching for many years, and I'm here for the long haul. Keep em coming!

[@jameslavides8688]

I’ve had this last Dec in Japan. Very good prices there too. Any of you travelling to Japan, take advantage of the good prices and most have tax free options if you are taking them home with you

[@andrejbezak1522]

Hi Ralfy, I´m watching Your channel regularly but with little more excitement when You review a bottle which is actually available in my country (Slovakia). I store anCnoc 18 for special purpose and You have tempted me to start with the 12 year old. Thanks!

[@JazznRealHipHop]

Fantastic, well priced, no thrills but just down right good malt. It should be a standard at every respectable bar. Love everything they make and hope they never change except to enhance. Cheers. 🥃

[@jonathanyunger2073]

One of my all time favorites. Thank you Ralfy.

[@chrislawson5754]

There are some Indy bottles about. I recently finished an Alistair Walker infrequent flyers bottle which was pretty good for its age.

[@michaelwood3203]

I added an AnCnoc 125 year anniversary peated 46 abv into my stash after finding it in a whisky shop earlier this year. Still to be opened, I need a special occasion.

[@msg6fl]

A shop near me has an IB from Signatory. Might have to give it a try.

[@DennisvanDommelen]

Would love to see you review something from Inchgower distillery. The few single malts on the market are great!

[@stevedemarsico924]

It is 43% here in the States. Not sure if that makes much of a difference but it is a great sipping malt for a spring or summer evening....

[@pavelmatousek980]

I just opened 24yo this evening, which I bought a week ago. It is really a banger, magnificent whisky.

[@DeftonE88]

A really good single malt. This along with Edradour 10 are the only 40% bottles I re-buy. Ancnoc 12 is normally what I start my night with if I’m having a few, and I always look forward to pouring a dram of it. Cheers Ralfy 🥃

[@nzmarco]

Ed 10 is a fine malt. Unfortunately, it's increased 30% in cost for me.

[@fusemunk]

Edradour Singleton is 46% and a great whisky.

[@nzmarco]

@@fusemunk The Signatory version is higher abv and however I actually prefer the standard 10.

[@DeftonE88]

@@nzmarco interesting. I was thinking of taking a chance on the 46%. And I agree on the pricing. Considering the Ancnoc can be found for under £30 at times

[@nzmarco]

@@DeftonE88 I hear great things on the Ed Caledonia. A great alternative to the Signatory by the sounds.

[@michaelm.9680]

Just great whisky, I do love the 18 year old. Was at the Distillery in 2013 when they even provided tours just by calling them in advance. Great place, grest Team, really awesome. We do get indepent bottlings in Germany, e.g. a 10 year old Single Sherry Cask, cask strength from The Maltman and an 11 year old from A.D. Rattray, Single cask and cask strength as well.

[@jamescostigan3721]

I had a bottle of this at 43% last year, purchase inspired by your review. It was one of the very few times where your (and others) review didn't mesh with my experience. I just did not enjoy this one. But your recommendation winning percentage and insights are still Hall of Fame stuff. And I thank you for that. Cheers, Malt Mate!

[@blablaogist]

Interesting review of an overlooked malt. I'm amazed by the 18 yo and wonder if 170 € for the 24 yo is still affordable? I guess, compared to other brands it is. By the way Ralfy, here in Germany there are a few options of independent bottlings of Knockdhu. I recently tried a new 10 yo version bottled by Maltman, sherry driven and quite interseting. Cheers!

[@roelandbrink1345]

The Ancnoc 12 sold in Germany does have e150 caramel colour added.

[@heatherharrison264]

I have a bottle of anCnoc 24-year. It is one of the best bottles of Scotch whisky in my collection, and its price is reasonable for its age statement. If I see the 12-year at a bar, I'll give it a try, but the lower strength and chill filtration aren't ideal. I'll likely stick to the 24 at home as long as I can find it for a reasonable price. However, maybe it is good that this version exists, as this type of whisky is good for beginners. I have a friend who I am introducing to whisky. We have gone through some bourbon and rye, and single malts are next. I think the lower strength, chill filtered ones will be a good starting point since she preferred the lower strength and mild styles of bourbon and rye. We can work up to the hard core stuff later.

[@Mike-vw7ct]

Love your reviews and advice. I don’t however, buy whisky bottled at less than 50%.

[@rubenheijstek5070]

Well thank you very much again Ralfy. I've learn a lot for following your channel and i enjoy it very much. By the way.......what is the malt mansion? And when i go to your website it only let me know to go to your reviews on youtube....anyway.....never thougt about buying a bottle of ancoc but after youre tastefull review i defenetly will thank you so much. cheers mate.

[@CraigDoverton]

Ralfy, big fan of yours, always good stuff. I am in the US in North Carolina in a small market for scotch and can't get many of the bottles you review and that is OK- I have my favorites that I can get, Ardbeg , Talisker, Highland Park, Aberlour, and plenty of great American Rye and Bourbon. I would love to know what are your favorites, what are the bottles you go to for special occasions or your birthday or to celebrate , even if I can't access them, would love to know what you rate 92 or higher that are non chill filtered single malts. I celebrated 1000 videos with you and hope to celebrate 2000 in the near future!

[@patrickmessinger7040]

AnCnoc 12 is always in my cabinet and still a favorite after all these years. (:

[@wevegraysquaw7855]

Ralfy ..theres an additional 17 points to reach the "ideal" dram (which admittedly is conditional and an ineffable other side of the fence experience)...but all that aside...it would be interesting to see if you could attempt to DEFINE what characteristics would get it there.

[@ps3inquisition441]

This is 43% here in the US and gives me a honey roasted cashew note. Love it.

[@davidoneill913]

A genuine value for money dram

[@V0odOo]

Aren't independent bottlings of anCnoc sold under the distillery name "Knockdhu"? E.g. the new The Maltman SC bottling Knockdhu 2013/2024.

[@rob_66]

Correct! But they couldn't name anCnoc whisky as Knockdhu because of Knockando distillery. To much name confusion😉

[@danieloconnell4225]

Just bought a bottle of this in Canada; it is 40% here as well. Many places that sell this here sell it for well over $100 per bottle (up to $140 when taxes are added). Rather shocking. Much cheaper back in Ireland (where I'm from and will be heading back to). A quality dram, but I question the prices I've seen on it around here...

[@ryanmillar9607]

CAD$64.68 on the shelf in Nova Scotia. Curious where you saw it for $100 or more.

[@danieloconnell4225]

@@ryanmillar9607 B.C. and Ontario regularly list it for over $100. Utter insanity.

[@yusufsayed1583]

Good Evening 😊 Awesome Review👌🏽 You are generous in your rating 👏🏼👏🏼 Have a good day 👍🏼 Greetings and Cheers 🍻 From South Africa 🇿🇦

[@whompbiscuits8930]

I can also confirm the US version is 43% ABV. Here in NC (a control state) the price currently is $60, special order to boot. Re chill filtration, considering that here in the US many bourbons in excess of 50% ABV are chill-filtered, the argument that 40% whiskies "must" be chill filtered collapses. Because just a year or so ago, the argument was "you don't need to chill-filter bottled-in-bond whiskies" regardless that at that time, many were in fact so. So each argument made defending it ends up collapsing for the lie that it is. Therefore chill filtration is absolutely unnecessary unless 1) you distilled the mash wrong, 2) you aged the spirit in bad casks, 3) you downproofed it with bad water, or something akin to those. In other words, the distiller did something wrong, a big mistake was made. That's just it.

[@jameslavides8688]

Yes. Ralfy, I have been drastically dropping the volume but “upping” if that this a word, the quality

[@bblair2627]

I got this at Christmas!

[@robfut9954]

I adore Ancnoc! They’ve suddenly become harder to find near me over the past 2-3 years, and have been a bit more expensive when I do see it. But our current government here in the US is all about inflation and alienating imports so no shock.

[@dksculpture]

Yes, US is 43% ABV.

[@andywalker6908]

👍nice one Ralfy

[@PatsPurposefulPutzing]

I am confused. You said this is a Speyside but my bottle says Highland. You're from Scotland, I am not. Which is it? Regardless I do like it quite well

[@francisoconnor2392]

Speyside

[@barryhamilton7845]

Glenfarclas and Macallan also say Highland on them but are both Speyside aswell.

[@johndillon8051]

AnCnoc 12 is the only 40% abv single malt that I buy. It is wonderful.

[@danjon1099]

Thank you Ralfy🥃

[@Maltmeister1]

I payed $145 Can for the 24 yr old out of Alberta Can when on sale.

[@chentim1751]

24 is an excellent dram!!

[@Maltmeister1]

@@chentim1751 I'll never know due to me being a purist,,don't consume alcohol only collect Scotch

[@Robertcollopy]

Spirit caramel has different E numbers E150a, E150b, E150c, E150d and E150A which mainly contains acetic and or citric acid as a tanning accelerator and is used in colouring products with a high alcohol content🍑🍒🍓🍅

[@petterstromfelt4640]

Love all their product

[@dane5896]

I wasn’t thrilled about it. It’s not on my rebuy list.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Some appropriate hyperbole there Ralfy, obviously you are impressed with this Whisky, hmm I just might grab a bottle for a few wee drams.

[@richardjarratt4921]

If anyone is in the Huntly area this distillery is really well worth visiting , you have to book as its so small but really good

[@DileepB]

I prefer their NAS Rascan which is non chill filtered!

[@nepomucen21]

On the bottle I got is info "mit farbstof" but nevertheless it is very good basic whisky 😁

[@tommccafferty5591]

In the States this is at 43%.

[@superkeiler]

"At 46% this would be a table turner"... Dilutes it down to 30% 😮

[@ryans_nature_vibes]

Available in Washington State @ 40%ABV for $65.99, if you are willing to drive to it (80 mile venture for me).

[@kenbob333]

sorry Ralfy but early in the video you said it was chill filtered then further along you say it isn't chill filtered. Always enjoy your videos.

[@gavincardy8458]

not easy to get am struggling although I've one unopened

[@Fra881]

Fact: Ralfy's marks in 2024 85 87 84 84 84 84 83 81 88 84 86 85 87 83 84 83 82 83 why. I remember good ol' times, 80-95...

[@chentim1751]

Ralfy rating system becomes so confusing?? so many 83? 84? what does it mean?? I think it needs to be clarified.....thanks

[@ironmantran]

83 is TOO generous . . . i was expecting 80 according to the New scale . . . aroma dissipates after jus t10-12 minutes, palate is near nil . . .

[@marekstrba2336]

what a Hax, i opened this AnCnoc 12yo version 2021 botttled and i opened and tasted Glendronach 12 yo version 2020 bottled a day before and MY GOD! ANCNOC is better! it´s chillfiltered,40% and still better than Glendronach 43%, N-CH-F, natural color as etickete says on bottle. Wood in AnCnoc feels nutiness while Glendronach i got artifitial sweetness of glaze, something as virgin American Oak Casks, i dont know but AnCnoc is winner subjectively. And when you look on prices, Dronach is skyrocketing while AnCnoc price rise not more than 10% of value in my country. That´s A deal👏

[@ianlaw6410]

If I buy 2 bottles of 12 yr old and pour them into a very big bottle, will that be a 24 yr old? 12 + 12 = ??

[@philjones1013]

Lol

[@antseanbheanbocht4993]

An Cnoc = the Hill in Irish and Scottish

[@peteacher52]

FYI -- once again youtube fairies waves their Delete wand over my comment and request. I suggest you tell them in no uncertain terms to stop messing around and playing god with your subscribers' comments as I bet there are many more. It takes me half an hour to think of and write a decent comment and I don't appreciate Tinkerbell removing them.

[@Gungrave123]

i never liked that bottle. Too bland, lacks character - the chill filtering and being 40% are certainly to blame, but it can't be all due to it.

[@Adam-yk7dx]

Logically 83/100 isnt a great score. Tell us what's 90+

[@Eunegin23]

This year non so far. But forget the number, listen to the words, the description.