Dornoch Single Cask #180 4 Years Old 2019 (Ex-Bourbon)

An own bottling of Dornoch, a 4 year old, from 2019, cask 180, at 58.6%, 103 bottles in all. Dornoch is a Highland single malt built on heritage barley, brewer's yeast and long ferments. It uses brewer's yeast and ferments for at least seven days, sometimes up to ten.

The spirit was fermented long and distilled slow for an oily, fruity spirit, building the heritage Dornoch style. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon oak, letting the heritage barley character lead. In its youth the spirit leads, the long ferment building fruity esters (apple, pear and a hint of pineapple) over a soft oak vanillin. Heritage barley and a long ferment give a make with flavour to spare while young. Small casks and a rich spirit bring the oak on quickly in the early years. The young oak lends a light vanilla, the spirit doing most of the talking. Its house barley is Plumage Archer, a heritage variety once common in the 1920s and 30s.

At 58.6%, undiluted, it is deep and fruity. Apple, pear and a hint of tropical fruit, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Pear, malt and a creamy oil fill the middle. The finish is rounded, fruity and full. This is the heritage barley malt of the Thompson Brothers.