The product of The Knockdhu distillery, established in 1892, AnCnoc uses traditional methods but pride themselves in making distinctly modern tasting whisky.
Knockdhu Distillery in Banffshire is the powerhouse that brought anCnoc to life. Echoeing the timeless allure of the nearby Black Hill (known as ‘Knockdhu’ in Gaelic) where they draw not only their name, but the pure, clear spring water that makes their whisky. However, the brand name anCnoc (Gaelic for ‘the hill’) lends it the unusual distinction of not being named after the distillery which produces it.
Here they keep the traditional methods, by continuing to use a stainless steel mash tun with wooden washbacks, but seek to imbue their liquids with an accessible, contemporary character.
The new anCnoc brand as we know it today was launched in 1994 with the release of a 12 year old expression.
Pronounced [a-nock].
They have their own podcast hosted by Gordon Bruce, called the 'Knocktales Whisky Podcast'.
History
Founded in 1894 by John Morrison, who had recently bought the Knock estate. With the Great North Railway close by and a spring of pure clear water running through the estate, Morrison saw a golden opportunity to build a modern distillery in the village of Knock. The name ‘AnCnoc’ came from the locals, who named the Knock Hill where the springs were found after the Gaelic for black hill – ancnoc.