The Thompson Brothers are quite some busy men. On top of their strongly recognised whisky bar, their independent bottling operation (that interests us today and did in the past) and their Dornoch distillery, they’re now crowdfunding for their second and bigger distillery, Struie Distillery. And whilst I haven’t had the chance to try any Dornoch whisky yet, I had the chance to go have a few drams at the Dornoch Castle Whisky Bar a few years ago, and try a few of their independent bottlings. They’re very good at those activities, and judging from what I read, they’re good at doing whisky too. But for now, let’s stay on the Thompson’s independent bottling hat, with a review of two bottlings: a Circumstance 2019 and a Glentauchers 2013 Thompson Bros.
Circumstance 2019 Thompson Bros Review
Circumstance Distillery, based in Bristol, UK, is a small spirits producer known for its innovative and sustainable approach, being even carbon neutral. Specialising in whisky (but also producing gin and vodka), the distillery uses locally sourced ingredients and sustainable practices to create spirits. Their distilling process combines traditional methods with modern technology, resulting in a diverse range of whiskies. Circumstance is committed to eco-friendly operations, prioritising waste reduction and environmental responsibility. They proudly claim there’s more to whisky than single malts, and have released several single grain whiskies.
We start with a Circumstance single grain single cask, distilled in 2019 and bottled in March 2024 by the Thompson Bros. This whisky matured for 4 years in an ex-bourbon cask, yielding 211 bottles at 57.1% ABV, coincidentally matching the ABV of Wednesday’s review. Bottled without chill filtration or added colouring, it features a quirky label. It’s available in Germany for just under €70 and in France at Cave Conseil for €92.
Colour:
Burnished.
Nose:
Neat: Aromas of orchard fruits like peach, apple, and pear, with notes of honey, vanilla, and lemon juice. Hints of buttery pastry and soft spices are present. The nose is slightly grainy and sharp, but not overly so for a 4-year-old grain whisky.
With water: The nose becomes sharper, revealing green apples, a slight spray gas-like note, and musty pebbles.
Palate:
Neat: The palate offers a creamy mouthfeel with a variety of apple flavours, butterscotch, and a noticeable pinch of pepper and chili. Notes of stout, woody bitterness, lemon juice, orange peel, and Earl Grey tea follow.
With water: Initially sweeter with icing sugar, followed by strong alcohol heat and lots of pepper, highlighting its youth after reduction.
Finish:
The finish features herbal notes, coffee, malted barley grains, and lemon, with a medium length.
Comments:
Who would have thought you could find a good young grain whisky? Well, obviously, the Thompson Brothers did, and they did find one in this Circumstance 2019. They’ve shown that grain whisky can sometimes be quite good without needing decades of ageing.
Rating: 6/10
Glentauchers 2013 Thompson Bros Review
In another amusing coincidence with Wednesday’s review, where I first reviewed a Glentauchers on this blog, we have another one this week. This Glentauchers was distilled in 2013 and bottled in June 2024 by Thompson Bros, aged 11 years. The first-fill barrel yielded 272 bottles at 54.9%, without added colouring or chill filtration. It’s available in the same locations as the Circumstance, priced around €75 in Germany and €97 in France.
Colour:
Pale straw.
Nose:
Neat: Creamy and chalky, quite clean. Notes of custard, red apples, peaches, strawberries, and oranges. There’s a slight sharpness from the alcohol, along with light herbaceous notes of thyme, mint, and dried herbs.
With water: Reduction reveals malt, bookshelves, ferns, and corn flakes.
Palate:
Neat: The palate is dominated by green apples, with noticeable alcohol heat. It’s also reminiscent of Arlequin candy, featuring citrusy acidity, herbaceous and tea-like bitterness, cotton candy, and hints of wood and coffee, with a touch of cocoa powder. The alcohol is present but not overpowering.
With water: The palate becomes slightly sweeter, highlighting apples and oranges, with hints of pineapple.
Finish:
Warm with notes of coffee, grapefruit, spent tea leaves, lukewarm coffee, and wood.
Comments:
Lovely young-ish Glentauchers 2013 bottled by the Thompson Bros. I love its clean nose and fruity and candy palate, even though there are a few imperfections here and there, mostly the alcohol not completely integrated and still a bit sharp. But such a lovely dram nonetheless!
Rating: 7/10
Thanks Aurélien! Bottle pictures courtesy of Whiskybase.