Knockando distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery, located in Knockando, Moray, in the Strathspey whisky-producing area of Scotland.

Knockando distillery
Region: Speyside
LocationKnockando, Moray
OwnerDiageo
Founded1898
Water sourceThe Cardnach Spring
No. of stills2 wash stills
2 spirit stills
Capacity1,800,000 litres/per annum
Knockando
TypeSingle malt
Age(s)Bottled as a vintage (Approx. 12 Years Old)
Cask type(s)American White Oak ex-bourbon casks / European Oak ex-sherry casks
ABV40%
Knockando
TypeSingle Malt
Age(s)18 Years
Cask type(s)American White Oak, Ex-Bourbon Casks / European Oak ex-sherry casks
ABV43%

Knockando Distillery is named after the village in which it stands. The name derives from Scottish Gaelic Cnoc Cheannachd, meaning "Hill of Commerce".[1] The village is home to a few other small houses and the larger Knockando House, and is surrounded by woods in which there are buzzards, Red Squirrel and Roe Deer.[1]

History edit

Knockando Distillery was built by John Tytler Thomson in 1898.[2]

In 1904 the distillery was purchased by W & A Gilbey, a gin producer from London.[2]

Knockando was the first distillery in Scotland to be built with electric lighting. In 1905 it was linked directly to the Great North of Scotland Railway, which connected Grantown-on-Spey with the main towns of north-east Scotland. Cottages for distillery workers were built nearby, as well as a house for the Customs and Excise Officer. [3]

Knockando Distillery become part of Grand Metropolitan in the 1960s.[4]

In 1997, with the merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan, Knockando distillery become part of the new company, Diageo.[5]

Location edit

The distillery currently lies near the disused Dalbeallie Station, which is closer to the Tamdhu distillery. The railway has long since been dismantled, and now forms part of the Speyside Way long-distance walk. The old station has been renamed Tamdhu station, as the buildings are used by the distillery for meetings. Tamdhu was never named station the original line.[6]

Production edit

Knockando Distillery is home to a famous selection of casks which went into the J&B Ultima blend in 1994 to celebrate the quincentenary of Scotch whisky. This blend contained 128 different whiskies (116 Malt & 12 Grain) and 1 of each of these casks is still maturing in the Warehouse.[7]

57°27′25.2″N 3°20′38.2″W / 57.457000°N 3.343944°W / 57.457000; -3.343944

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Knockando". Ainmean-àite na h-Alba. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  2. ^ a b Kindersley, Dorling (2008). Whisky. Dorling Kindersley Limited.
  3. ^ Ruben (29 July 2013). "Knockando 12 years (Dateo Import) | WhiskyNotes review". Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Knockando Whisky | Buy Whisky Online | Whisky Please". www.whiskyplease.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  5. ^ Ipsen, Erik; Tribune, International Herald (13 May 1997). "$33 Billion Giant Guinness to Unite With Grand Met". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  6. ^ Crawford, Ewan. "Strathspey Railway - RAILSCOT". www.railscot.co.uk. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Knockando". The Whiskyphiles. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2023.

External links edit