Knockando 1984/1997 [Feather’s Flight Review Set #16]

Went to The Feathers Pub to try whiskies for an upcoming tasting. I also drank whiskies that were not on that list. This is one of those.

My wife and friend, who you’re still trying to figure out when he was born, decided to pick out a new mystery dram for me. Knockando 1984/1997 was their pick, because while I’ve had things from Knockdhu , and gotten them mixed up with Knockando, but never something from Knockando.

This could be less confusing. I’m sure.

Knockando is a key component in the J&B blend. Not only that, but it’s a best selling malt in France and Spain. It’s also Diageo’s fifth best selling malt based solely on these two countries buying it. Only 10% of the single malt is kept for single malt while the rest is put into J&B.

So it sounds like a dram where they only select the best casks, those are shipped to France and Spain, and the rest of us get J&B.

Seems like a shitty trade. Glad I could try this one. Let’s see how it tastes, shall we?

Price: N/A at the LCBO

Region: Speyside

Vintage: 1984

Bottling Date: 1997

Abv: 40%

Colour: 2.5Y 8/8

Nose: Grapefruit, floral, fruit gummies, lemon, coffee, lime, cereal

Tart. Sour. Then less so. There’s some earth parts. Nice nose on this. Not too strong like a sherry bomb or really fruit dram. But stronger than I’d give a 40% credit for.

This has some cereal notes that round it out nicely. As someone who has never had this distillery before, I’m thoroughly confused and have no idea what to guess.

Taste: Swedish berries, caramel, passion fruit, sorbet, raisins, malt, umami

Good amount of fruit, however not overwhelming. Again, surprising amount of flavour given the low alcohol content. After a few minutes out, it has this malt and umami flavour that really adds up the complexity.

Finish: Swedish berries, learther, raisin, ginger

Short finish. Like a slap to the taint during a blowjob, it let’s you down quickly. I want the tons of flavours on the taste, and varied complexity, however… just doesn’t have an ending.

Conclusion: This is both sad and fun at the same time. I really like the taste. The nose is fun. The quality is high enough to have been a no brainer, regardless of the low abv.

And then the finish just… doesn’t do it. Too quick. Some sherry influence and little else. Disappointment, truly, but makes me want to try an IB Cask Strength version of the Knockando to really see what the distillery is about.

81/100

Scotch reviews #549, Speyside review #167, Whisky Network reviews #909