Knockando Extra Old 1982
70cl / 43%
£249.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Speyside
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A discontinued vintage Speyside single malt, distilled in 1982 and bottled in 1996, often found in the desirable 43% ABV 1 Litre Travel Retail format.
At-a-Glance:
| Field | Details |
| Distillery | Knockando |
| Bottler | Distillery Bottling (Diageo) |
| Country & Region | Scotland, Speyside |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age | 14 Year Old (Bottled 1996) or 18 Year Old (S_R12) |
| Vintage | 1982 |
| Bottled | 1996 (or 2000 for 18 Year Old expression) |
| ABV & Size(s) | 43% / 100cl (1 Litre) (Also 75cl) |
| Cask / Treatment | Matured in oak casks (Known for sherry and bourbon influence) |
| Natural Colour: Not stated by the producer | |
| Non-Chill-Filtered: Not stated by the producer | |
| Cask Strength: No | |
| Bottle count / Outturn: Not stated by the producer (Vintage bottling) | |
| Intended channel: Travel Retail (TR) / Export (1 Litre format) | |
| Packaging: Standard glass bottle. | |
| Notes on discrepancies: Bottlings of the 1982 vintage exist at different ages: a 14-year-old bottled in 1996 (43% ABV/1L) and an 18-year-old "Slow matured" bottling (75cl). |
Historical Context
The Knockando Extra Old 1982 is a significant vintage expression from the Speyside distillery. Distilled in 1982, the liquid dates from the era when the distillery was owned by IDV/Grand Metropolitan before the creation of Diageo.
Knockando has always been valued for its smooth, light, and approachable Speyside character, serving as a primary component in the J&B blend. However, this 1982 vintage was bottled as a single malt in two main age formats: a 14 Year Old version bottled in 1996, and a rarer 18 Year Old "Slow matured" version bottled around 2000.
The 14 Year Old version is frequently found in the 1 Litre, 43% ABV format, confirming its purpose as a high-value Travel Retail and export item of the 1990s. The 43% ABV strength is preferred by connoisseurs over the standard 40% bottling for its perceived richer, less diluted taste and texture. This bottling is a genuine piece of the distillery's vintage single malt history, which is generally scarce due to the distillery's primary role as a blender's malt.
2.1 Documented variants:
- 43% ABV/100cl (1 Litre): Bottled in 1996 (14 Year Old).
- 43% ABV/75cl: Bottled circa 2000 (18 Year Old, sometimes labelled "Slow matured").
- 40% ABV/75cl: Standard age-stated domestic release.
Variant Matrix:
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
| 43% | 100cl | Travel Retail/Vintage | Bottled 1996 (14 Year Old), Higher strength | Highest (High volume, superior strength) |
| 43% | 75cl | General Release/Vintage | Bottled c. 2000 (18 Year Old) | High (Superior age statement) |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist:
The label must clearly state "Vintage 1982." The 1 Litre and 43% ABV are key identifiers for the common Travel Retail version. The long maturation period (up to 18 years) on the older variant justifies its "Extra Old" designation. Due to the age, cork failure and minor label wear are to be expected.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes:
The liquid is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The ABV of 43% is the vintage premium strength.
- Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The profile is typically gentle, sweet, and biscuity, reflective of its Speyside origin and oak maturation.
Nose: Not stated by the producer.
Palate: Approached with a gentleness and sweet, biscuity barley sugar flavours to the fore. Expected to have nice depth of flavour.
Finish: Not stated by the producer.
With water: Not stated by the producer.
- Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Knockando Distillery (1898) is a Speyside producer owned by Diageo, operating under the Justerini & Brooks label since 1962. It serves as the keystone single malt component for the J&B blend. The distillery is known for its elegant, light, and fruity single malt style, which is often bottled at a higher ABV for older releases to preserve complexity.
Sourcing
- Target formats/eras to prefer: The 1 Litre, 43% ABV bottle (Bottled 1996, 14 Year Old) is the best volume/strength ratio.
- Red flags to avoid: Be cautious of cork failure and leakage. Verify the "Extra Old" or age statement to distinguish from core NAS releases.
- Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Excellent fill level is expected.
- Margin/velocity expectations - qualitative: Velocity is moderate. Margin potential is moderate.
