VisitingKnockando is one of Diageo's Classic Malts, but it is not currently open to the public. It used to have a visitor centre but this closed in the 1990s. Whisky Cyclist visited during the Spirit of Speyside Festivals in 2013 and 2016.
Vital Stats
Knockando is another of the many survivors of the late 19th century distillery boom - designed by Charles Doig. But things didn't start well - less than a year after it started producing whisky, Knockando was a victim of the Pattison scam and closed for five years before being bought by gin producers Gilbey's. Its fortunes have improved since.
Although there are 5 warehouses at Knockando, casks are filled at Auchroisk or Glenlossie before being returned to the distillery. One warehouse holds a cask from each of the 128 distilleries (116 malt and 12 grain) that contributed to the now discontinued J&B Ultima blend. Malt Madness, WhiskyMerchants.co.uk Wikipedia scotchwhisky.com |
Getting ThereClick the Google logo on the above map to access Street View, Directions etc.
Open Cycle Map Bing Map Tamdhu Cardhu Dalmunach Cragganmore Distilleries Speyside Distilleries Spey Nearest National Rail stations are Elgin (ELG) (20 miles), Forres (FOR) (17), Keith (KEH) (21). Live train times: ELG, FOR, KEH. At the end of a road off the A9102 between Upper Knockando and Archiestown near the mouth of the Knockando burn. It is also on the Speyside Way, on the banks of the Spey. RangeKnockando's contribution to the Classic Malt range is a 12yo bottled at 43%. Unusually, the distillery puts a vintage year on the label as well as the age statement. Older bottlings are also available - a 15yo, a 18yo and a 21yo Master Reserve - all bottled at 43%.
Most of the single malt goes to France and Spain where it is a much better known brand than in the UK, but even more finds its way into the J&B blend. Very few independent bottlings. RMW TWE MoM CyclingNearest Bike shops - Elgin:or Forres
Bikes and Bowls 7 High Street, Elgin 01343 549656 Halfords Lossie Wynd N, Elgin 01343 552030 Stuarts Cycles & Sports Goods 32 High Street, Forres 01309 672432 The Bike Bothy 105 High Street 01309 671745 Charlie Millett Dufftown 01340 820991 Not a shop - has a page on the Dufftown.net website - provides repairs and spares - assisted Whisky Cyclist in 2014 when stranded in Craigellachie with damaged tyre and in 2017 with a broken pedal. Bikespokes Forres 07801 365710 @ Van based mobile servicing & repairs - normally 25 miles radius from Forres, but will travel further for an extra charge |
Photos on this page were taken by me. Click on photo to enlarge. Full size versions of all my photos of Knockando Distillery are available on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628657102623/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157628657102623/