One of anCnoc’s series of peated malts from Knockdhu Distillery near Huntly, this one is named for the tool peat cutters use to remove the top layers of peat from a bog. This malt is peated at 14.8 ppm, and the nose has a subtle peatiness, but remains fruity and sweet with notes of red grapes, orange peel, pineapple, and coconut notes balanced by ginger and nutmeg spices. The taste is fruity at first, then the spice and peat come in with cinnamon and heathery peat notes that fade to reveal ginger and coconut with a hint of butterscotch. The finish is dry with sweet, tangy smokiness and a hint of honey that lingers on the tongue. (April, 2014)