Dornoch Distillery: Thompson Bros, History and Owner
Updated: 6 hours ago
Dornoch Distillery is a small Highland distillery run by the Thompson brothers, and its products are released under the Thompson Bros name. This guide covers where it is, how it started, what it has released and what is planned.
In this guide
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Dornoch at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Region | Highland, Scotland |
Ownership | Thompson brothers / Thompson Independent Traders |
History | Founded 2017 |
Whisky and production | Independent Thompson Bros bottlings from other producers are not Dornoch-distilled whisky |
Named expressions | No confirmed regular consumer bottlings documented |
Visits | Verify public access, current tours and opening times with the distillery before travelling. |
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Where is Dornoch Distillery?
The distillery is in Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3SD. It is housed in a 19th century Victorian fire station that is part of the Dornoch Castle Hotel.
Dornoch history: 2017 to today
Brothers Simon and Philip Thompson founded the distillery in 2017. They intended it to produce single malt whisky and organic gin.
The first release was a limited edition experimental gin, followed by what the distillery called a single malt gin made from scratch on site. The core gin, Thompson Bros Mediterranean Gin, was first released in November 2021. The first single malt, Dornoch 2017 3 Year Old Single Cask 001, came out in 2022.
In September 2022 the brothers unveiled plans for a new 7 million pound eco friendly whisky distillery to be named Struie distillery. A public crowdfunding campaign launched in 2025 aiming to raise 4 to 5 million pounds. Wikipedia says Dornoch Distillery Company Ltd was later reorganised under the ownership of Thompson Independent Traders Ltd.
Who owns Dornoch Distillery?
The Thompson brothers founded it. Per Wikipedia, ownership now sits with Thompson Independent Traders Ltd.
Thompson Bros bottlings
Thompson Bros also sells independent bottlings from other distilleries. The official shop listed, in October 2026, releases such as Braeval, Ardnamurchan, Fettercairn, Bunnahabhain and Clynelish, plus a Dornoch Castle Whisky Club membership.
Dornoch Distillery FAQ
Is Dornoch the same as Thompson Bros? Thompson Bros is the brand. Dornoch is the distillery.
When was the first single malt released? In 2022.
What is Struie? A planned new distillery announced in 2022.
Founding and plans
Wikipedia says Dornoch distillery is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky and gin distillery in Dornoch, founded in 2017 in a 19th century Victorian fire station that is part of the Dornoch Castle Hotel. The brothers Simon and Philip Thompson founded it, and its products and independent bottlings are released under the Thompson Bros name.
First release: a limited edition experimental gin, then a single malt gin made from scratch on site
Core gin: Thompson Bros Mediterranean Gin, first released in November 2021
First single malt: Dornoch 2017 3 Year Old Single Cask #001, released in 2022
Plans: in September 2022 the brothers unveiled a 7 million pound eco-friendly distillery to be called Struie, and a public crowdfunding campaign followed in 2025
Opening the distillery: the 2014 idea and the first years
Simon and Philip Thompson grew up around the family business. Their parents Colin and Ros Thompson acquired Dornoch Castle in 2000, and the family runs the Dornoch Castle Hotel and its whisky bar. The castle dates to around the end of the 15th century and became a hotel in 1947.
A 2019 report in The National says the brothers had the idea in 2014 of building their own distillery in a 19th century fire station in the castle grounds. They raised money through crowdfunding and by selling their own flat, and the report dates the opening to 2016. Whisky.com also lists 2016, while Wikipedia says 2017, so the exact founding year depends on the source.
How the spirit is made
The report says the team does its own floor malting of barley, which it describes as something hardly any other distillery does.
Fermentation runs for 7 to 10 days, which the report puts at 5 to 7 days longer than most distilleries.
The stated aim was a whisky with the character and mouthfeel of the whiskies made before the 1960s.
Whisky.com lists the distillery output as 20,000 litres.
Gin, other bottlings and the move for space
While its own whisky matured, the distillery launched Thompson Brothers Organic Highland Gin, and it also bottled whisky and rum from other distilleries under the Dornoch name. In August 2018 it started a second crowdfunding round because the micro distillery needed more space and wanted to move to a new site. At the time of the 2019 report the distillery was not open to the public.
The official website is dornochdistillery.com. Check it for current visit details, because the distillery plans have changed since those reports.
Sources and gaps
Wikipedia, Dornoch distillery (read 20 October 2026): founding, releases, Struie plan, ownership
Thompson Bros official site, dornochdistillery.com (read 20 October 2026): address and current shop range
Gaps to fill before publishing: stills and capacity, visitor and tour details, whether Struie is now built or funded, and a primary source for the ownership change
Further source read on 21 October 2026: Wikipedia Dornoch distillery article.
Further sources read on 21 October 2026: Andy Gemmell's Drinks Cabinet on Dornoch Distillery (The National, 2019) and the Whisky.com distillery database entry for Dornoch.
What makes Dornoch distinctive?
Independent Thompson Bros bottlings from other producers are not Dornoch-distilled whisky
Dornoch whisky bottle and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Cask maturation / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
No verified regularly marketed distillery bottling | NAS / batch varies | Check bottle | Independent Thompson Bros bottlings from other producers are not Dornoch-distilled whisky |
This compares documented expressions, not live shop stock. Strength, age, casks and availability can vary by release; check the producer's bottle information.
More distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Dornoch
How the spirit is made?
While its own whisky matured, the distillery launched Thompson Brothers Organic Highland Gin, and it also bottled whisky and rum from other distilleries under the Dornoch name. In August 2018 it started a second crowdfunding round because the micro distillery needed more space and wanted to move to a new site.
Where is Dornoch based?
The distillery is in Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3SD. It is housed in a 19th century Victorian fire station that is part of the Dornoch Castle Hotel.
Who owns Dornoch?
Thompson brothers / Thompson Independent Traders
What is an important date in Dornoch's history?
Founded 2017
Which whiskies are associated with Dornoch?
Independent Thompson Bros bottlings from other producers are not Dornoch-distilled whisky
Sources and editorial checks
Original historical research and source notes are preserved in this guide. Producer details, distillery access and releases may change.
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Photo and source notes
Cover photograph: Dornoch Distillery historic converted fire station with red doors in Scotland. Source: Liquid Icons. Reuse rights have not been independently confirmed.
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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