Dornoch 5 Years Old 2019 (Ex-Bourbon)

This Dornoch, a 5 year old, from 2019, at 57.5%, 513 bottles in all. Dornoch is the tiny Sutherland distillery of Phil and Simon Thompson, chasing the whisky of the 1960s and 70s. It uses brewer's yeast and ferments for at least seven days, sometimes up to ten.

Distilled slowly from floor malted heritage barley in tiny direct fired stills, for an oily, fruit driven make. An ex-Bourbon hogshead held it, keeping the spirit character to the fore. In these extractive early years the cask sheds vanillin (vanilla) and toasted sugars (light caramel), the long ferment leaving fruity ethyl esters of apple and pear. Maturing in insulated containers on site, the young spirit develops fast and full. Floor malted heritage barley gives an intensity that suits the small casks. The brewer's yeast and long ferment leave a savoury, fruity depth in the spirit. The brothers set out to recreate the richer, fruitier style of Scotch made before the 1970s.

At cask strength 57.5% it is full bodied. A rich, fruity orchard character, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run green apple, pear and an oily malt. A rich finish ends on apple and a soft oak. This is a rich, oily Highland single malt.