AnCnoc 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky
anCnoc 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky is the entry point to one of the Highlands' most underrated distilleries — 80 proof (40% ABV), 750mL, matured for twelve years in first-fill and refill American oak ex-bourbon casks. Made at Knockdhu distillery in Aberdeenshire (est. 1894), anCnoc — Gaelic for "the hill" — earned back-to-back Double Golds at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2024 and 2025. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 40% (80 proof)
- Size: 750mL
- Age: 12 years in first-fill and refill ex-bourbon casks
- Distillery: Knockdhu, Aberdeenshire, Highlands — est. 1894 (Inver House)
- Awards: Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2024 & 2025
The Hill, Not the Distillery
anCnoc is the exception in Scotch: the malt does not carry its distillery's name. Knockdhu's owners renamed the whisky to avoid confusion with nearby Knockando — taking the name from Knock Hill, which overlooks the distillery. What stayed is the old way of doing things: traditional production, ex-bourbon wood, and a non-sherried Highland style that shows polished malt and spice rather than dried fruit.
Tasting Notes
Gentle amber. Soft and aromatic on the nose — honey, lemon, honeysuckle, and fresh barley. The palate is sweet to start with appetizing fruitiness, then Madeira, winter spice, mocha, and toasted granary bread. Light yet complex, smooth yet challenging — a dram the brand calls "something for everyone," finishing medium with oak and barley in balance.
How to Enjoy
Neat, with water, or on the rocks. It is an ideal bridge bottle for bourbon drinkers crossing into Scotch — all that ex-bourbon vanilla and honey — and a fine value anchor for any anCnoc vertical against the Rascan and 24-year-old.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ABV of anCnoc 12 Year Old? 40% ABV (80 proof) in the US 750mL bottling; some international markets bottle it at 43%.
Where is anCnoc made? Knockdhu distillery in the village of Knock, Aberdeenshire, in the Scottish Highlands.
What does anCnoc mean? Gaelic for "the hill" — named for Knock Hill overlooking the distillery.
A back-to-back Double Gold Highland malt at an honest price — add anCnoc 12 to your Del Mesa Liquor order.