Today, we examine three recent releases from Thompson Bros, an independent bottler based in Dornoch. The team stays busy with their independent bottling operations, the Whisky Castle bar, the Dornoch distillery, and the ongoing construction of a new distillery called Struie. The whiskies we review are the Aultmore 14-year-old, Glentauchers 2006, and Inchgower 1997 Thompson Bros, all issued at the end of last year.
Aultmore 14-year-old Thompson Bros (2024) Review
We begin with the Aultmore 14-year-old, bottled in 2024 by Thompson Bros. The brothers blended two casks of Aultmore matured in 2008 rye barrels with one third of an Aultmore octave seasoned in Oloroso sherry. Thompson Bros reserved the rest of the octave solely for the Dornoch Castle Hotel. They bottled this single malt at 48.5% ABV, without chill filtration or added colouring. The release remains available in the UK for around £70 and across Europe, including prices from €85 in the Netherlands and Germany.
Colour:
Burnished.
Nose:
Neat: Aultmore usually presents a soft profile, but this time the nose reveals surprising spiciness, likely due to the first-fill rye barrel. Aromas of cumin, cinnamon, and golden curry emerge, accompanied by red fruits like cherries in liqueur and strawberries, alongside dark berries and leather. Notes of almonds and pistachios add a nutty nuance, followed by hints of banana bread and a distinct vanilla scent.
Palate:
Neat: The palate intensifies the spiciness, highlighting cumin, cinnamon, pepper, and oak spices. Strawberry and pepper jam flavours appear, though fruitiness remains minimal apart from these. The profile includes added spices, rye, oak, and nuts, such as pistachios and hazelnuts. The mouthfeel feels slightly creamy and well rounded.
Finish:
The finish carries a lingering warmth from softened spices, lingering oak, and the taste of smoked pistachios with their shells.
Comments:
This Aultmore stands out as an unusual expression, credits to the independent bottlers like Thompson Bros who bring such unique interpretations to light. Though the spices may feel strong for some and fruitiness is limited, this Aultmore is really pleasing and enjoyable.
Rating: 6.5/10
Glentauchers 2006 Thompson Bros (2024) Review
Next, we have an 18-year-old Glentauchers 2006, which was filled into two refill hogsheads on June 8, 2006. Thompson Bros vatted and bottled it in October 2024. They produced 408 bottles at 52.4% ABV (it is unclear if this qualifies as cask strength) without chill filtration or added colouring. This Glentauchers remains available, with prices around £115 in the UK and €140 in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany, while other countries may charge more.
Colour:
Pale straw.
Nose:
Neat: The nose offers good intensity with vanilla, yellow fruits such as apricots and peaches, dried coconut, and milk chocolate, complemented by malty and floral aromas.
With water: Reduction sharpens the nose, bringing forward wood notes more prominently, alongside rum & raisin ice cream and a hint of lemon.
Palate:
Neat: The palate matches the nose’s intensity with well-integrated alcohol. It shows malty flavours combined with lemon, orange, custard, light wood, milk chocolate, and warm spices including pepper, cumin, and mild chili.
With water: Water softens the mouthfeel to creamy and enhances maltiness. Light notes of sourdough yeast, orange peel, and faint grapefruit juice.
Finish:
The finish delivers warmth and length, with palate flavours lingering and gradually fading.
Comments:
This Glentauchers 2006 Thompson Bros balances slightly active wood influence despite using refill casks. It impresses with its flavour intensity, warmth, and the positive impact of reduction on both the nose and palate, even as the nose gains a sharper edge.
Rating: 7/10
Inchgower 1997 Thompson Bros (2024) Review
The last whisky today is a 27-year-old Inchgower, distilled in 1997 and placed into two refill hogsheads on August 21, 1997—a lovely date celebrating St. Christophe in France. Thompson Bros vatted and bottled it in November 2024 at 52.3%, producing 406 bottles without chill filtration or added colouring. This release also remains available for approximately €229 in Europe and £229 in the UK.
Colour:
Jonquille
Nose:
Neat: The nose unfolds fruity notes of dried mango, tinned pineapple, and peach in syrup, accented by pickled ginger slices, subtle wood hints, and occasional grassy aromas. It presents a soft, approachable character without overwhelming complexity.
With water: Adding water diminishes the nose significantly, leaving little aroma.
Palate:
Neat: The palate delivers strong intensity right away, bursting with tropical fruits like passion fruit, candied mango, and pineapple. Spices such as cinnamon, pepper, chili, and tabasco surface alongside salted liquorice. Bitter notes of coffee, wood, and dark chocolate emerge, with the mouthfeel shifting between creamy and chalky depending on the timing of swallowing. Subtle candle wax and faint smoke traces in the background.
With water: Water increases spiciness and bitterness, adding notes of jasmine tea and candy chocolate cigarettes – including their paper.
Finish:
The finish has a medium length with nutty flavours growing stronger over time, finishing with touches of lemon peel, mango cubes, and wood.
Comments:
This Inchgower shines when taken neat. If this is not cask strength, Thompson Bros then selected an ideal bottling strength that preserves vibrancy and fruitiness. Adding water detracts from the whisky’s character. Overall, a flavourful and enjoyable dram, worthy of consideration.