Dornoch New Make Spirit

Phil & Simon Thompson are the sons of the owners of Dornoch Castle Hotel, famous for its whisky bar. They took it to the next level and founded the Dornoch Distillery after a successful crowdfunding campaign in 2016. They distill both gin and whisky. Their first single malt was just released. So I figures now would be a good time to try their new make. The label on the sample bottle reveals the following details: Plummage Archer barley and three yeast varieties were used. The fermentation was an incredible 17 days and this new make was distilled on 13th December 2018 and bottled at the usual 63.5% ABV. Let’s get to it!

After only one second of nose-in-glass I am reminded again of why I have a soft spot for new make. This is very clean with a sweetness as if from young carrots from a can, barely sugars and something green that I cannot quite pinpoint. But mostly – and I have this quite often with Dornoch – notes of quince. I love it!

Nicely oily on quince (told ya!), barley sugars, the crust of white bread and camphor. Very clean.

The finish is long and crisp on some mint (and it never even touched wood).

This is a lovely, lovely new make indeed!