Nowadays sherry casks tend to be “seasoned” and engineered casks that have been specifically tailored for the whisky industry and never saw the interior of a Spanish bodega. It’s no surprise then that marketing people see an opportunity to highlight the fact that once in a while they bottle a “bodega” cask!

This single cask Knockando 1996 was part of the Manager’s Choice series, one of the least successful Diageo ideas of the last couple of years. Usually good whisky though (check the Cragganmore 1997 for example), but way “ahead of its time” in terms of pricing.

Knockando 12 yo 1996 ‘Manager’s Choice’ (58,5%, OB 2009, bodega sherry cask #800790, 612 btl.)

Nose: heavy sherry, classic style, not unlike some GlenDronachs. Starts in a fairly fragrant and fruity way but grows smokier and drier over time. Raisins, cherries, plums. Chocolate and almonds. Some coffee beans and roasted nuts, with a veil of (clean) smoke. Mouth: punchy and fairly dry, with roasted chestnuts. Plenty of herbal notes too, maybe a tad too bitter and tannic at some point. Cold coffee. In the end the cherries and raisins have a come-back. Finish: long, dry, slightly bitter, with espresso notes and ginger.

For a 12 year-old this Knackando 1996 is pretty woody and slightly on the bitter side for my taste. Other than that it shows a nice sherry character. I liked the Knockando 25yo better in many ways though. Around € 300. Thanks for the sample, Tino!

Score: 88/100