AnCnoc 12 years

Score: 68

AnCnoc 12 came in 5th out of 6 in its tasting, but don’t let the ranking fool yo, this 40% ABV Speysider punches well above its weight. It’s not flashy, not peated, not sherried. But it’s a whisky drinker’s whisky. Having it on your bar is a subtle flex that says you know what makes a good, clean dram. With a zesty nose, a vibrant palate, and a truly excellent mouthfeel, this might be one of the finest non-sherried 12-year-olds from the region. It doesn’t try to rewrite the Speyside playbook, but it doesn’t need to. What it does, it does with quiet precision, deft hands at work, quality barrels in play, and a clear respect for balance. Its lower ranking reflected the lineup’s intensity more than any fault in the dram itself. In a field of bolder, brasher contenders, AnCnoc 12 held its ground with grace. It’s the kind of bottle that earns nods from seasoned drinkers and slowly wins over the rest. Understated, underrated, and undeniably well made.