Knockando Distillery

Named for the Speyside village that houses it, Knockando was founded in 1898 by John Thompson, who acquired the services of famed architect Charles Doig to design this distillery. At the time of construction Thompson also purchased the sole water rights to Cardnach spring rising in the hills above the distillery. Water from this spring bubbles through rock and peat, and is tapped before it reaches the River Spey.

Despite his clear commitment, Thompson picked a poor time to found a whisky distillery. The market collapsed shortly after in the Pattison crash and Knockando was closed in 1900. Gin distillers W. & A. Gilbey & Co. took over in 1903 after buying the distillery for £3,500 pounds, and resumed production that year.

W. & A. Gilbey merged with United Wine Traders in 1962 to form International Distillers & Vintners. IDV expanded and modernised the distillery during the 60s. In ‘68 the floor maltings were decommissioned, and two new stills were added the following year. IDV were bought by Watney Mann in 1972, and they were later taken over by Grand Metropolitan. Knockando is now part of Diageo following the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan in 1997. During this shake up IDV and United Distillers were put together to form United Distillers & Vintners.

Starting in 1971, Knockando was one of the first distilleries to begin marketing its whisky as a single malt rather than just a component in blends. This early adoption meant that at one point it was one of the top ten most best selling single malts in the world. Though it has since fallen from that list it remains extremely popular, especially in the French and Spanish markets.

The distillery is equipped with a 4.4 ton mash tun, eight Douglas Fir washbacks, and four stills. It has an annual production capacity of 1.4 million litres of spirits a year. But major refurbishments have been underway in recent years which could see that increase.

The core range from Knockando consists of the 12, 15, 18, and 21 year old single malts. The 12 year old Knockando single malt is a light and fruity whisky. The fruity, floral aromas are joined by malt and honey flavours in the smooth palate before a short finish. The more complex 21 year old has much stronger notes of oak throughout to complement the Knockando character. A light peatiness comes through in the finish.