Knockdhu Distillery was founded in 1894 in the village of Knock, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Its name derives from the Gaelic for 'Black Hill', a nod to the rugged landscape surrounding the distillery. Established as part of the strategic expansion of the Distillers Company Limited (DCL) during the late 19th century, Knockdhu became an important player in Scottish whisky production. After being mothballed in the 1980s following Guinness's acquisition of DCL, the distillery was sold to Inver House Distillers in 1988 and resumed production on February 6, 1989. Inver House itself had been established in 1964 as a subsidiary of Publicker Industries, based in Philadelphia, making Knockdhu the first distillery in their Scottish portfolio. Knochdhu produces single malt Scotch whisky that is primarily bottled under the AnCnoc brand name — the Gaelic rendering of the distillery's location. The AnCnoc range is celebrated for its approachable, fruit-forward style, though the distillery has also ventured into heavily peated expressions that reveal a more daring, complex character. Located in the Highlands of Aberdeenshire, Knockdhu is often described as one of Scotland's hidden treasures, offering whisky of consistent quality that punches well above its relatively modest profile.