Knockdhu distillery

Knockdhu distillery stands on the southern slope of Knock Hill in Aberdeenshire. It was built in 1893 by John Morrison using local grey granite. Two coal-fired stills were installed, capable of producing 2,500 gallons of spirit each week. The site was chosen for its nearby railway station and access to barley and peat. Production began in 1894 and continued until 1931, when it closed during the economic depression. It reopened after the Second World War and closed again in 1983 before being bought and restarted in 1989. The distillery is known for its award-winning whiskies. The 12-year-old expression has won gold at the International Wine & Spirits Challenge multiple times. The 18-year-old and 24-year-old whiskies have also received frequent awards. The Peatheart expression earned gold at the World Whiskies Awards in 2019. The name was changed to anCnoc in 1994 to avoid confusion with another distillery. The whisky is now sold under the Gaelic name meaning ‘the hill’. Visitors find a working malt distillery with modern steam-heated stills. The site retains its original granite buildings and railway connection. Tours explain how barley and peat shaped the whisky’s flavour. Bottlings include ages from 12 to 30 years. The surrounding landscape of rolling hills and farmland adds to the setting.