Knockdhu (anCnoc)
Full Highlands food & drink guide — distilleries, restaurants, where to stay, when to go.
A small Aberdeenshire distillery whose single malt is bottled as 'anCnoc' (Gaelic for 'the hill') to avoid confusion with the similarly-named Speyside Knockando. Light, honeyed, and genuinely underrated — the 12 Year Old is a regular recommendation for beginners at sensible prices.
KnockDhu distillery bottles its single malt as 'anCnoc' (Gaelic for 'the hill') to avoid confusion with the Speyside Knockando. The result is one of Aberdeenshire's most characterful whiskies — fresh, citrusy, well-structured, and consistently undervalued. The anCnoc 12 and 18 are both excellent; the Peatheart limited peated releases show versatility. A genuine hidden gem.
Core range
anCnoc 12
40% ABV · American oak + Spanish oak ex-sherry
Bottled under the 'anCnoc' name to avoid confusion with Knockando. Honey-driven Highland at supermarket-friendly price.
- Nose:
- Honey, soft fruit, oak, gentle vanilla.
- Palate:
- Light — honey, vanilla, soft oak, gentle malt.
- Finish:
- Short to medium, clean, sweet.
anCnoc 18
46% ABV · American oak + first-fill sherry
Older Knockdhu non-chill-filtered at 46%. Underrated relative to its quality.
- Nose:
- Honey, oak, dried fruit, faint spice.
- Palate:
- Layered — honey, sherry, oak spice, soft fruit.
- Finish:
- Long, drying, sweet.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| anCnoc 12 | Lemon tart or lime posset | The citrusy, fresh character is made for citrus-based desserts. |
Getting there
Car. Knock village near Huntly on the A97.
Where to eat nearby
- Huntly town centreArea
10 min south — cafés and shops.
Where to stay near Knockdhu (anCnoc)
AnCnoc (Knockdhu) is 2 miles south of Knock village on the B9022 in Aberdeenshire. Huntly (10 miles west) and Keith (12 miles north) are the nearest towns with accommodation. The Strathbogie area is quiet agricultural land — this is often a stop on an Aberdeenshire circuit rather than a primary destination.
Huntly centre, 10 min south.
Where to stay near Knockdhu (anCnoc)
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Knockdhu (anCnoc).
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Location
Knock, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, AB54 7LJ
View on map →Frequently asked questions
+Why is it called anCnoc instead of KnockDhu?
To avoid confusion with Knockando distillery (different owner, similar name). anCnoc is the Gaelic version of 'the hill' (Cnoc Dhu = Black Hill).
+Is KnockDhu (anCnoc) open to visitors?
No — KnockDhu is a production facility near Huntly, not open to regular visitors. The anCnoc whisky is available from specialist retailers and whisky bars.
+Where is Knockdhu (anCnoc) distillery?
Knockdhu (anCnoc) is in the Highlands. Postcode AB54.
+When was Knockdhu (anCnoc) distillery founded?
Knockdhu (anCnoc) was founded in 1893, making it roughly 133 years old.
Compare with similar distilleries
The citrus freshness is closest to Aultmore and Glen Grant. More interesting than its price suggests.
Glen Grant
An enormous Speyside distillery with a famously beautiful Victorian garden, Glen Grant is the best-selling single malt in Italy and produces notably light, clean, apple-and-pear spirit thanks to its tall stills and purifiers.
Aultmore
Long a backbone of the Dewar’s blend, Aultmore was relaunched as a single malt in 2014 and quickly developed a cult following for its clean, grassy, almost gin-like character.
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