AnCnoc 24 yo – Now In Israel (review)

Some very good news on the local Israeli whisky scene as AnCnoc whisky is official imported (At last!). I’ve been waiting a long time for this to happen, as I’ve been a fan of the distillery for quite a few years now. Initially the 12, 18 and 24 yo expressions are available locally, and at great prices in some stores (and online: sipil.co.il), prices that are in par with EU/UK prices – Good stuff!

I reviewed the 12 and 18 a long time ago, but somehow the 24 yo which came later, was never properly reviewed here – time to make amends. The 24 yo, just like the 18 yo is a vatting of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks (with quite some sherry – look at the color, and mind you the whisky is not colored and no Caramel is added). bottled at 46% (oh well, i would love to see it bottled at 48%). NCF, of course.

Let’s try some of this liquid.

AnCnoc 24 yo, 46% abv , 550 NIS / £120

Nose: What a stunning nose on this one : delicious candied orange, and ripe blood oranges, some marmalade and old wooden furniture (libraries, church stools). The sherry is here in a big way, with XMAS cakes, wood spices, cinnamon . A lovely combination of the bourbon and sherry, with the sweetness and dried fruit, wood and spice.

Palate: The Sherry is more pronounced on the palate, with sultanas, dried fig and toffee. Ripe oranges stewed in sweet wine-y nectar (a bit like the 18 yo, but much more concentrated here), wee smoke and a nice sherry sweetness, followed by wood spices : mostly cinnamon,nutmeg and ginger. Old leather, and black pepper.

Finish: Medium-Long with chocolate, candied oranges, sultana and pepper which balances the sweetness with a spicy tang. Quite some wood too, very good casks were used obviously. Lovely.

A great older dram, with lovely sherry and bourbon influences, great wood. Not many 24 year olds at this quality are as affordable, and at this price, even locally, it’s a no brainer of a dram. Get a few bottles if you can, while this lasts. It’s superb and at today’s whisky climate, it’s also not very expensive for what you get!  yummy.

Score: 90/100