Dornoch Distillery, a relatively young player in the world of Scotch whisky, is located in our historic town of Dornoch in the Scottish Highlands. Here's an overview of its history:

Founding and Early Years

The Dornoch Distillery was founded in 2016 by brothers Simon and Phil Thompson. The distillery is part of the family-owned Dornoch Castle Hotel, which has been a well-known destination for whisky enthusiasts due to its extensive whisky bar. The brothers, passionate about whisky and spirits, wanted to revive traditional whisky-making methods, focusing on organic ingredients and historical distilling techniques.

Production Philosophy

Dornoch Distillery is known for its small-scale, artisanal approach to whisky production. The Thompson brothers are committed to using organic ingredients, traditional methods, and fermentation techniques that reflect historical practices from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They use small copper pot stills and employ long fermentation times to develop complex flavours in their whisky.

First Releases

The distillery's first whisky releases were eagerly anticipated by whisky aficionados. Before their whisky matured, the distillery released several batches of gin, branded as "Thompson Brothers Organic Highland Gin," which gained a positive reputation for its unique botanical mix and craftsmanship.

Growth and Development

Despite its small size, Dornoch Distillery has attracted attention for its dedication to quality and tradition. The distillery produces very limited quantities of whisky, which are often sold out quickly due to high demand. The focus remains on creating a unique product that harks back to historical methods while still appealing to modern whisky drinkers.

Future Prospects

As of now, Dornoch Distillery continues to grow its reputation within the whisky community. The Thompson brothers' dedication to traditional distilling and their hands-on approach to production have set the distillery apart as a boutique producer of high-quality Scotch whisky.

Dornoch Distillery is a testament to the growing trend of small, craft distilleries in Scotland that emphasise tradition, quality, and unique character.