AnCnoc Rutter (46%, OB, 2014)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Knockdhu distillery
• Bottling: Inver House (Official)
• ABV: 46%
• Cost: £50

What they say:

Rutter

11.0 ppm [parts per million]
The Rutter spade is used to size and separate the peat blocks producing a turf that is slow burning. This peat creates less reek and therefore gives the whisky a more fragrant smokiness, in this case, with a PPM of 11.0.

Colour

anCnoc Rutter is sparkling gold in appearance.

Nose

Initially very smoky, it quickly unveils the unmistakable anCnoc character with delicate spices, juicy pineapples, peardrops and gentle vanilla. Rich and warming.

Taste

Full-bodied and bursting with peaty richness. Soft undertones of honey, creamy vanilla, toffee and leather are punctuated by the freshness of green apples.

What I say:

My second sampling of the new(ish) anCnoc peaty range, I had plenty of chances to sample the anCnoc Tushkar during our Society (WOLS) visit to Islay thanks to Eimear and all the bridges we crossed along the way! This second shot was provided blind as Dram #3 during The Whisky Weekender Tweet Tasting hosted by Steve Rush @TheWhiskyWire and @TheWhiskyLounge. Here are my thoughts on blind tasting…

Colour:

Very pale straw gold

Nose:

Green apples, Peat (like old charcoals), Acetone (Mail polish remover), golden syrup sweetness and some cereal malt, apple bubblegum, sweet and milky

Taste:

Light, peaty (lightly peated), subtle, fragrant and delicate, cinder toffees, honey sweet and fruity ripe bananas

Finish:

Short, banana milkshake and barley malt

Overall:

On the fence a little with this one, it is lightly peated and quite interesting but didn’t blow me away. I suspect it is a dram you could find a little more depth in but I would be wary of what I might find… For one this is an example of a dram not to judge by its colour – there is certainly bite and complexity in here but a bit ephemeral – lacking a little body for my liking.

Score: 82/100

Don’t take my word for it:

Bloggers submit link to your review