Knockdhu Distillery: History, Owner and Visitor Guide
Updated: 21 hours ago
Knockdhu is a whisky distillery in Knock, near Huntly in Aberdeenshire, owned by Inver House Distillers. Its single malt is sold under the name anCnoc, Gaelic for the hill.
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Knockdhu at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Location / region | Highland, Scotland |
Owner / producer | Inver House Distillers |
History | Founded in 1893; its single malt is marketed as anCnoc. |
Style | Single malt Scotch whisky |
Bottles documented | anCnoc 12 Year Old, anCnoc 18 Year Old, anCnoc Peatheart |
Before visiting | Check current public access, tour availability and opening hours directly with the producer. |
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Where is Knockdhu distillery?
Knockdhu stands beside the village of Knock, just outside Huntly (postcode AB54 7LJ), under Knock Hill. Regional labelling differs by source: ScotchWhisky.com files it as Speyside, while The Single Cask places it in the Highlands (Knock, Banffshire).
Knockdhu history
ScotchWhisky.com explains that in 1877 Scotland's largest grain distillers joined forces to found the Distillers Company Limited (DCL). In 1893 DCL built its first distillery outside the Lowland grain heartland at Knock, and The Single Cask calls it the first malt distillery DCL built from scratch rather than bought. Production began in 1894.
Sources differ on who is credited. Wikipedia and The Single Cask name John Morrison as founder, buying land from the Duke of Fife. ScotchWhisky.com says the site was chosen by DCL founding member John Haig and Sons for its railway links, local barley and peat. The distillery was built of local grey granite with coal-fired stills, now steam heated.
The Single Cask says the distillery closed briefly in the 1930s, again from 1940 to 1945 under wartime barley restrictions, and retired its original steam engine in 1947. Scottish Malt Distillers took control in 1930. DCL mothballed it in 1983 during the whisky loch. Inver House Distillers bought it in 1988 and, according to The Single Cask, restarted production in February 1989 (ScotchWhisky.com says it reopened the following year after purchase).
Why anCnoc?
Inver House felt the name Knockdhu was too similar to the established Knockando. ScotchWhisky.com says the single malt was therefore called anCnoc rather than the distillery name, with the second brand introduced in 1993. The Single Cask describes a rebrand in 1994. The exact year differs between sources.
Who owns Knockdhu?
Inver House Distillers has owned it since 1988. ScotchWhisky.com traces Inver House's parent history: Pacific Spirits bought it in 2001 for 85 million dollars, and International Beverage Holdings bought out Pacific Spirits UK in 2006.
How Knockdhu is made
Stills: two, one wash (12,000 litres) and one spirit (16,600 litres)
Capacity: 1.75 million litres of pure alcohol a year (ScotchWhisky.com and The Single Cask agree on about 1.7 to 1.75)
Mash tun: semi lauter, grist of five tonnes
Washbacks: wooden, 30,000 litres
Fermentation: 60 hours
Malt: mainly unpeated, with a heavily peated variant also made (48 ppm phenols in the peated malt, per ScotchWhisky.com)
Water: four springs on Knock Hill
Condensing: ScotchWhisky.com's profile mentions worm tubs, while its facts table lists shell and tube condensers. Check with the distillery
Environment: Inver House has created a wetland area outside the distillery to treat spent lees
anCnoc range
ScotchWhisky.com says the core range has 12, 16 and 21 year old expressions, supported by annual vintage releases, and dates the first peated anCnoc, the Peat Cutter range, to 2014. The Single Cask reports that the 12 Year Old won Gold at the International Spirits Challenge in 2017. Bottle strengths were not confirmed, so check the official range.
Can you visit Knockdhu?
ScotchWhisky.com says to contact the distillery for visitor details, and The Single Cask describes it as a small working distillery rather than a drop-in attraction. Check with Inver House before planning a trip.
Official website
https://www.ancnoc.com/
Frequently asked questions
Where is Knockdhu?
In Knock, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
When was it founded?
1893, with production from 1894.
Who owns it?
Inver House Distillers, since 1988.
How many stills?
Two, one wash still and one spirit still.
Why is the whisky called anCnoc?
To avoid confusion with Knockando, a Speyside distillery with a similar name.
Sources
Cover image: Wikimedia Commons.
What makes Knockdhu distinctive?
The Knockdhu distillery and anCnoc whisky brand should not be confused with Knockando
Knockdhu bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
anCnoc 12 Year Old | 12 years | Check label | The Knockdhu distillery and anCnoc whisky brand should not be confused with Knockando |
anCnoc 18 Year Old | 18 years | Check label | The Knockdhu distillery and anCnoc whisky brand should not be confused with Knockando |
anCnoc Peatheart | NAS / varies | Check label | The Knockdhu distillery and anCnoc whisky brand should not be confused with Knockando |
Bottle ranges, casks and strengths change. The table lists documented releases, not guaranteed current stock; check the producer's labels and latest information.
More whisky distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Knockdhu
Where is Knockdhu?
In Knock, near Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
When was it founded?
1893, with production from 1894.
Who owns it?
Inver House Distillers, since 1988.
How many stills?
Two, one wash still and one spirit still.
Why is the whisky called anCnoc?
To avoid confusion with Knockando, a Speyside distillery with a similar name.
Sources and editorial checks
Original research, references and historical qualifications have been retained in this article. Visitor details and expression availability are date-sensitive.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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