.ancnoc - rutter

A rutter is a type of spade, used to size and separate peat blocks. It is also the name of this single malt whisky produced by the Knockdhu distillery in the Eastern Highlands of Scotland. The connection is easy; the normally unpeated malt the distillery uses has been dried with peat smoke for a change, which results in a pleasantly light, smoky dram.

46% abv, €55, single malt, non-chill filtered, natural colour

Nose: a hint of smoke, sweet, honeycomb, mint, eucalyptus, citrus, red grapefruit, red apples, applesauce with cinnamon

Palate: again - a hint of smoke, bacon, sweet, vanilla, honey, spicy, white pepper, herbal, mint, cinnamon, ripe and sweet green apples 

Finish: spicy, slightly dry, sweet, honey, toffee, and that hint of smoke again - which lingers quite long.
Mark: ++++/+

Conclusion: very likeable. If you are not used to drinking smoky Islay drams, this might be a good start. She is not as heavily peated as her Islay kin, and the distillery profile of the sweet and fruity character can still be found.

More info: Only 1500 bottles have been produced of this 11ppm peated malt, so there might not be much left when you reach the decision to try and find one, as is the case for us. A real shame, since it would really have been worth it and prices are going up already.