Description

Knockdhu 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Cadenhead Original Collection (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 46%           Age: 10 Years Old            Country: Scotland

Date of Bottling: 2024
Matured In: A Combination of 50% Sherry Casks and 50% Bourbon Casks
Un-Chillfiltered, No added colour

The Whisky

Discover a fresh and modern interpretation of Speyside with the Knockdhu 10 Year Old – Cadenhead Original Collection. Distilled in 2013 and bottled in January 2024, this 700ml single malt offers a sophisticated maturation profile, spending a decade in a balanced marriage of 50% Bourbon casks and 50% Fino Sherry casks. Bottled at the collection’s signature 46% ABV, it is non-chill filtered and naturally coloured, preserving the integrity of the young, vibrant spirit.

While the distillery is best known for its official brand anCnoc, this independent bottling under the Knockdhu name showcases a “purer” side of the distillate. The use of Fino Sherry—the driest of all sherries—is a masterstroke, adding a nutty, mineral complexity that complements the citrusy, floral DNA of the spirit without the heavy, syrupy sweetness of Oloroso. It is a dry, crisp, and exceptionally structured dram that appeals to the modern connoisseur.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Bright and uplifting. You are greeted by a bouquet of fresh green apples and citrus zest, underpinned by the sweetness of marzipan and brown sugar. As it opens, delicate notes of pineapple and gingerbread emerge, balanced by a light floral touch of elderflower.

Palate: The arrival is dry and taut. It features vibrant notes of dates, honey, and syrup cake, which are quickly met by the mineral influence of the Fino wood. Mid-palate, you’ll find lemon peel, white grapes, and a playful twist of cola cubes and burnt sugar, providing a “chewy” and satisfying texture.

Finish: Medium-length and remarkably elegant. The finish tapers off with a lingering nutty dryness and almond butter, followed by sweet flourishes of pancakes with maple syrup, milk chocolate, and a final, tangy hint of bramble jam.

The Distillery

The Knockdhu Distillery, located in the village of Knock at the foot of the “Black Hill,” has remained remarkably traditional since it opened in 1894. Despite its light spirit style, it is one of the few distilleries to still use traditional worm tub condensers, which adds a surprising weight and “edgy” complexity to the malt. A unique factual detail: Knockdhu is home to the Knockdhu Wetlands, an innovative ecological system where spent lees are treated by 21,000 plants across six aggregate cells, making it one of the most water-conscious and sustainable distilleries in the Highlands.

Overall Review

The Knockdhu 10 Year Old Cadenhead Original is globally reviewed as a “dry and crisp Speyside gem,” praised for its innovative use of Fino Sherry to create a fresh, contemporary profile. Critics have lauded its “taut and mineral” structure, marking it as a mandatory purchase for those looking for a clean, non-sweet alternative to traditional sherry-finished malts