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anCnoc 12 Year Old

Budget Connosr

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RReview by @Rigmorole

27th Feb 2014

0

anCnoc 12 Year Old
  • Nose
    ~
  • Taste
    ~
  • Finish
    ~
  • Balance
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  • Overall
    84

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

For the whisky connosr on a tight budget, the An Cnoc 12 might be just what the doctor ordered.

I'm not on a tight budget, per se, but I'm very far from being "well healed" either. But I'm a whisky nut. It's my hobby right now, and I embrace the magic of the dram. Over the past five years, I've tasted some really top notch drams like a 30-something Brora and a few glasses of Balvenie Tun 1401 Batch 3.

Yes, over the past few years I've become a bit of a whisky snob, so please forgive me if my review of the An Cnoc 12 is a little less than upbeat.

For another 20 dollars (American) a whisky drinker could buy a bottle of Springbank 10 year, which happens to be one of my favorites right now (2012 bottlings of it, anyhow).

I wasn't blown away by the An Cnoc 12. It's complex, yes, but not necessarily pleasing. In other words, it doesn't "ring my bell," so to speak, whatever the hell that means. . . .

Here are my tasting notes on this complex dram that Ralfystuff liked so much, he gave it an 89 (really, Ralfy?). Then again, Serge at Whisky Fun was not so kind (84).

AN CNOC 12 BASIC TASTING NOTES

Appearance: nice "straw" pale hue tells me this whisky has no artificial color. That's a plus right off.

Nose: Some sharp alcohol bitterness, even at 40%. This said, I will not add water. The palate won't support any more water, IMO. Floral nose with nectarine, green apples, prunes, Queen Anne's lace, living grass, compote. Just a hint of honey, along with model airplane glue (a minus in my book) and some slightly curdled malt.

Mouth: Sweet to bitter: Grass sap, unsweetened caramel, grape nuts (Post co. cereal), anise, hot buttered white wheat toast, pie crust, tart apples.

Finish: Medium length, bitter fruit, grass sap, English muffin (toasted), some bitter alcohol but not much burn. A little in the middle of the tongue.

Without seeing Serge's score last night when I filmed a video review of this whisky, I scored it first an 82, then raised my score to an 84, which happens to be the same as Serge's.

THIS IS MY 99TH REVIEW FOR WHISKY CONNOSR!

Here is my Youtube vid on An Cnoc 12: www.youtube.com/watch

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4 comments

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist commented

Thanks for a great review. I've been looking for a trustworthy opinion on this one for a while. Let me know if you ever get the chance to sample the 16. I've heard that's pretty decent.

Loved the video review. I really like it. Crisp and to the point. Makes me want to believe you, if you know what I mean. Seems honest.

Keep up the great work!

10 years ago 0

@Pierre_W
Pierre_W commented

Hey rigmorole, great video! Just watched it and had a good time doing so. Sincere, honest, and it made me want to taste the An Cnoc 12yo (I have never had an An Cnoc so far), so what better praise can there be? Well done!

10 years ago 0

@FMichael
FMichael commented

As a fan of the Ancnoc 12yr - I tend to compare it to other single malts in the same price range ($35 to $45)...Aberlour 12yr, Glenmorangie 10yr, Old Pulteney 12yr, Balvenie DBL Wood 12yr (although now it's $50 plus), Glenlivet 12yr, Glenfiddich 12yr, and Highland Park 12yr.

Out of those above - I'd say only Ancnoc's sister distillery Old Pultney, and rivals Aberlour, and Highland Park are equal, or better than the Ancnoc.

As an entry level whisky - I find it exceptional.

10 years ago 0