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Distilleries:

Banff | An Cnoc | Glen Deveron | Glendronach | Glenglassaugh
Banff
Dismantled Banff was never widely available as a single malt, and the distillery was closed and dismantled in 1983. In 1941 a German airplane bombed a warehouse igniting a fire that burned thousands of gallons of whisky. Some of the whisky that didn't burn ran across nearby farmlands and was, in some cases, consumed by livestock. There were reports of farmers being unable the next day to milk cows that were so intoxicated they couldn't stand up
Merchant Bottlings: Independent bottlings have become increasingly rare over the past several years. An Old Malt Cask 31-year-old (1966-98, 50 vol.) is a gold color and notes of grass and smoke come through the definite cedary nose. The dry palate has lots of oak and cedar. A splash of water opens flavors of grass, smoke and anise. The finish is dry and smoky. 84
An Cnoc aka Cnoc Dhubh, Knockdhu
Comments: Avoiding confusion with Knockando, the name was changed to An Cnoc (the distillery is at the village of Knock, in Gaelic "Cnoc"). The distillery was closed in 1983, then reopened in 1989 when it was purchased by Inver House blenders. An interesting aside, the distillery was home to a unit of the Indian army during World War II.
Distillery Bottlings: Distillery bottlings are available in the UK but not widely distributed in the US.
A 12-year-old (40 vol.), is released under the name "An Cnoc", and is a bright gold with yellow highlights. The nose is aromatic, sweet, fruity, and creamy. The palate is very smooth, (coats the tongue with a buttery creaminess). Very rich but not especially sweet. The finish continues the creamy notes mixed with lingering fruity notes. Very enjoyable. 80

A 21-year old is sold under the name, "Cnoc Dhubh".
Merchant Bottlings: I recently came across a Cadenhead 10-year-old Knockdhu (1989, 55.9 vol.). This is a bottling from the first distillations after the purchase of the Knockdhu distillery by Inver House. It has a very pale yellow color and an aromatic, fruity nose with an underlying dry, dusty quality. The palate is very smooth with a soft fruitiness. A very light and pleasant malt, perfect for summer evenings. 82
Information: Ownership: Inver House Distillers Ltd
Link: www.inverhouse.com
Glen Deveron aka Macduff
Distillery Bottlings: Glen Deveron (known as Macduff in some independent bottlings), is a major factor in the William Lawson blends.

I had believed that Glen Deveron was distributed in the US in a single expression, a 12-year-old, and was surprised recently to find an old bottle of a 5-year-old at a liquor store.

The 5-year-old (40 vol.) is a light gold with an aromatic, earthy nose that has notes of anise and juniper. The palate is malty, creamy, nutty. Briefly sweet, it quickly becomes dry and warming in the finish. A bit raw at its youthful five years. 72

The 12-year-old (40 vol.) is interesting, though not a complex malt at heart. The color is a full gold with orange highlights. The nose is malty with hints of sherry and a faint nuttiness. The palate is very smooth, dry, malty, and has a clean, slightly minty freshness. The finish is brief with warming echoes of malt. 76
Merchant Bottlings: A Cooper's Choice 25-year-old Macduff (1971-96, 43 vol.) is a yellowy gold. The nose is quite powerful and exotic, with hints of banana leaf and a strong maltiness. Visually the body is slightly dense. On the palate the sensation of thickness and creaminess is quite exaggerated. The flavor is again, of malt with a slight tinge of sulfur (not at all unpleasant). The finish is long, with a maltiness that becomes somewhat dry. 79
Information: Ownership: John Dewar & Sons Ltd (Bacardi)
Telephone: 01261-812612
No visitors.
Glendronach
Silent The distillery ceased operation in 1998, though it is kept in working condition and could start production again on relatively short notice.
Distillery Bottlings: A 12-year-old release was replaced by a 15-year-old (40 vol.) 100% sherry cask bottling before the distillery shut down in 1998. The color is a deep amber-red and the nose is very smoky, with elements of earthy peat mixed with tobacco, toffee, raisins, and a faint soapiness. The palate is dry, smoky, cough syrup-like with a long, astringent, chewy, licorice finish. 76
Merchant Bottlings: I haven't encountered any independent bottlings.
Information: Ownership: Allied Distillers Ltd (Allied Domecq)
Telephone: 01466-730202
From the US: 011-44-1466-730202
Tours: Visitor center with tours at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm..
Glenglassaugh
Silent Glenglassaugh has had a very spotty past, opening and closing many times. Most of this century it has been silent, except for a period between 1960 (when the distillery was completely rebuilt), and 1986 when it was closed. Since then it has opened and closed yet another time in 1998.
Distillery Bottlings: The distillery single malt has not been available in the US and is scarce elsewhere in the world.
Merchant Bottlings: I sampled a bit of a 15-year-old Cadenhead several years ago and was surprised to find it to be somewhat similar to a coastal, even island malt! A bit salty, slightly peppery, with grassy undertones.
A James MacArthur 12-year-old (1985, 43 vol.), is a pale gold with greenish highlights. The nose is fresh, grassy, with notes of sea air and linseed. The palate is sweet and grassy at first, then quickly followed by a sharp acidity. It has an oily texture. The finish is soothing, with linseed and mint notes along with the citric acidity sharpness. 77
A Scott's Selection 1974 (bottled 1998, 55.9 vol.) is a light amber color. The nose has a layering of cedar, tobacco, and a creamy earthiness. The palate is dry, smooth, creamy. The finish is dry, warming (almost hot), and has a slightly citric tanginess. 83
Information: Ownership: Highland Distillers Ltd
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