Dornoch Distillery: rewriting Scotland’s whisky story

In the picturesque Highland town of Dornoch, where ancient castle walls meet modern innovation, brothers Simon and Phil Thompson are quietly brewing a whisky revolution. Their journey from hotel custodians to craft distillery pioneers represents more than just another Scottish start-up story; it’s a passionate return to whisky’s forgotten roots, guided by years of intimate knowledge of what truly makes a great dram, writes Bishan Kumar.

The Thompson brothers didn’t stumble into whisky-making by accident. As custodians of the historic Dornoch Castle Hotel and its acclaimed whisky bar, they spent years curating one of Scotland’s most respected whisky collections, hosting thousands of enthusiasts and developing an almost intuitive understanding of what resonates in exceptional spirits. This unique vantage point became the foundation for launching Dornoch Distillery in 2016. 

Quality over Quantity

“From the outset, the distillery has taken a craft-driven, quality-first approach, focusing on heritage production methods, long fermentations, and organic and heritage grains,” explains Phil Thompson, Founder Director of Dornoch Distillery. This commitment to authenticity is evident in every aspect of their operation, from their modest 225 kg mash capacity to their six open-top wooden fermenters that echo pre-industrial Scottish distilling traditions.

The numbers tell the story of their deliberately small-scale approach. With a 1,200 litre wash still and 600 litre spirit still, Dornoch produces approximately 10,000 litres of pure alcohol annually. It’s a fraction of what industrial distilleries churn out, but this limitation is precisely the point. Each batch receives the attention and care that mass production simply cannot provide. 

Innovating with Tradition

What sets Dornoch apart in Scotland’s crowded whisky landscape is their thoughtful fusion of historical knowledge with bold experimentation. The distillery explores alternative yeast strains, champions heritage barley varieties, some dating back to the 18th century, and employs minimal intervention production methods that prioritise flavour development over efficiency.

“Innovation is central to Dornoch’s DNA,” Phil notes, describing their approach to experimenting with everything from local brewer’s yeasts to unconventional cask ageing, including ex-beer barrels alongside traditional bourbon and Bodega Sherry casks. Yet this innovation never comes at the expense of tradition; every decision is made with historical context and flavour integrity firmly in mind. 

The Portfolio

Despite being a relatively young distillery, Dornoch has already established a distinctive product range that showcases their philosophy in liquid form. Their current expressions include single malt whiskies from early casks that, while bottled at younger ages, burst with character and demonstrate the distillate quality the team has become synonymous with.

The Thompson Bros portfolio extends beyond single malts to include acclaimed blended products, their mysterious “Thompson Bros MYSTERY MALT” releases, and an award-winning organic gin that demonstrates their versatility beyond whisky production. These offerings target well-informed, adventurous whisky enthusiasts who value provenance, process, and transparency over mainstream marketing.

Compared to mainstream Scotch brands, Dornoch’s expressions are slightly higher priced per age, but the value lies in their rarity, authenticity, and flavour integrity. The target consumer is well-informed and adventurous whisky enthusiasts. 

The Struie Distillery

Recognition of Dornoch’s exceptional quality has created a challenge many craft distillers would envy; demand that far exceeds their current production capacity. The Thompson brothers’ solution is Struie Distillery, a new, larger-scale facility that promises to expand production while maintaining the craft principles that define their original operation.

Expected to become operational in late 2026, Struie Distillery will significantly boost production capacity and provide greater fermentation control, space for diverse mash bills, and expanded maturation facilities for cask innovation. “The new facility will also allow the team to grow and expand the Thompson Bros independent bottling and blending operations, allowing them to reach more customers throughout the world,” Thompson explains.

The expansion plans are ambitious yet measured, focussing on scaling production to meet global demand, introducing more consistent core range whiskies, entering strategic new markets, and continuing their collaborative approach through private cask programmes. 

Eyes on India

While Dornoch’s current distribution remains deliberately niche and tightly allocated, with bottles often selling out through direct channels and selected retail partners worldwide, the brothers are strategically eyeing international expansion. India, in particular, represents a significant opportunity.

“Following recent reductions in tariffs for imported Scotch whisky, India is a logical next step,” Phil observes, noting the country’s rapidly growing middle class and rising appreciation for premium spirits. The approach would be characteristically thoughtful— partnering with specialist importers, offering education-led brand activations, and potentially releasing limited bottlings tailored to Indian palates. 

Where It All Began

The Dornoch Castle Hotel and its iconic whisky bar aren’t just the backdrop to the Thompson brothers’ story; they’re the living laboratory that made it all possible. For years, this historic venue served as an informal research facility, hosting thousands of whisky enthusiasts and providing invaluable insights into consumer palates, historical bottlings, and collector trends.

“The Castle Hotel and its acclaimed whisky bar have been a living lab for understanding consumer palates,” Phil reflects. This exposure shaped a philosophy grounded in education, curation, and authenticity; principles now embedded in every aspect of their distillery operations. The direct consumer feedback they receive continues to be a rare and valuable asset, informing everything from production decisions to new product development.

More than a setting, the Castle represents the very soul of the Dornoch story; a bridge between Scotland’s whisky heritage and its contemporary craft renaissance

Funding the Dream

The journey from concept to reality has been supported by a mix of private investment and a successful crowdfunding campaign that demonstrated the whisky community’s enthusiasm for their vision. Additional capital through a Series B raise will conclude the Struie Distillery development.

However, the team’s balanced approach of managing income from their co-businesses means further external capital won’t be required to support production operations. 

Managing Costs & Quality

Despite the inherently higher costs associated with small-batch production, Dornoch remains committed to transparent pricing and honest value. Operating as a lean, family-run business enables tighter cost control without compromising quality.

“Affordability, to us, means ensuring that great whisky is accessible to those who genuinely appreciate craftsmanship,” Phil says. This ethos is reflected in their pricing, which, although slightly higher per age compared to mainstream Scotch brands, offers value through rarity, authenticity, and flavour integrity. The Thompson Bros range continues to prioritise the core consumer, ensuring that every release upholds the values of quality and accessibility.