Interesting times for anCnoc fans. After the 35 years old last year, there is now an anCnoc 22 year old. It was matured predominantly in ex-bourbon casks but some casks seasoned with oloroso sherry for 2 years were used as well. The first batch consists of 5700 bottles.

anCnoc 22 yo
(46%, OB 2013, 5700 btl.)

Nose: enters on floral notes, bright barley and juicy pears. Sourish hints of lemon and apple peel, as well as tempting bergamot notes (bordering on potpourri, in a nice way). Then sweet honey, soft spices, mint and vanilla cake. Mouth: slow start maybe, but a nice profile, balancing between sweet malty notes and a citrus tingle (lemon sherbet?). Oranges, honey and almonds. Evolving to a more syrupy, liqueur-like and more sherried profile. Vanilla custard. Some leather notes and the right amount of polished oak. Finish: quite long, rounded and honeyed. Yellow raisins and a faint hint of toasted oak.

I don’t usually like anCnoc expressions with sherry in the lead, but in a support act like here it adds depth and some lovely flavours. My favourite anCnoc so far. Around € 110.

Score: 88/100