Knockando 12 Year Old
Knockando · Knockando Distillery
Knockando is one of Speyside's quiet achievers — widely used as a backbone for J&B blends but rarely celebrated on its own. This 12-year-old single malt rewards patience. It is understated rather than simple, making it an ideal introduction to the lighter side of Speyside.
Kit Aromas
Nose
Light honey and fresh green grass open the nose, followed by soft malt and a hint of peach. There is an underlying nuttiness — hazelnut, specifically — that gives it a gentle complexity.
Palate
Delicate and medium-bodied. Honey and vanilla dominate early, then give way to a buttery mid-palate with whispers of dried fruit. The texture is smooth, almost silky, with restrained sweetness.
Finish
Short to medium, clean, with lingering malt and a faint floral note. It exits gracefully without overstaying.
- Region
- Speyside
- Cask Type
- Ex-bourbon and sherry
- Peat Level (PPM)
- Unpeated
- Distillation
- Double pot still distillation
- Maturation
- Predominantly ex-bourbon American oak casks with some sherry cask influence
- Chill-Filtered
- Yes
Cocktail Suggestion
Speyside Spritz — 1.5 oz Knockando 12 · 1 oz fresh lemon juice · 0.75 oz honey syrup · 2 oz chilled sparkling water · Build over ice in a highball glass, stir gently, garnish with a lemon wheel.
Food Pairing
Smoked salmon canapés with crème fraîche and dill
Knockando Distillery, founded in 1898 on the banks of the River Spey, uniquely labels each vintage by its season of distillation — a tradition reflecting the belief that the time of year shapes the spirit's character.
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