First Impressions
Thompson Bros Organic Highland Gin won Gold in the Contemporary category at the 2019 World Gin Awards — a remarkable achievement for a gin distilled in a former fire station in the village of Dornoch on Scotland's north coast. Brothers Phil and Simon Thompson built their distillery through a crowdfunding campaign in 2016, and the gin quickly established itself as one of Scotland's finest. Eleven organic botanicals, 45.7% ABV, and a creamy, full-bodied character that belies its Highland origins.
The Distillery
Dornoch Distillery produces the Highland Gin using 11 organic botanicals: juniper, angelica root, cardamom, aniseed, orange peel, lemon peel, coriander seed, meadowsweet, elderflower, black peppercorn, and freeze-dried raspberry. The freeze-dried raspberry is the most distinctive addition — contributing fruit character without the juice dilution that fresh berries would cause.
Tasting
The nose is surprisingly creamy, with soft lemon zest and orange peel combining with earthier cardamom notes. Raspberries and elderberries stand out unmistakably, foreshadowing spicy sweetness. Aniseed and crushed pepper add aromatic depth. The juniper is not very dominant on the nose.
On the palate, the gin is surprisingly spicy — with more juniper than the nose suggests. Aniseed, elderberry, and raspberry are prominent, with coriander and peppercorn developing over time. At 45.7%, the mouthfeel is creamy and full — the organic base spirit contributing a richness that lower-proof gins cannot match.
The finish is quite dry, with aniseed, raspberry hints, and crushed pepper. Bitter notes — probably from citrus peel and perhaps gentian — make the taste very round and mature. It is a contemplative, sophisticated finish.
How to Drink It
In a G&T with Indian tonic and a few fresh raspberries — the fruit connecting with the freeze-dried botanical. Also excellent in a Martini where the creamy mouthfeel and aniseed add complexity.
The Bottom Line
Thompson Bros Organic Highland earns an 8 for winning World Gin Awards Gold from a former fire station in the Highlands. The 11 organic botanicals are expertly balanced, the freeze-dried raspberry adds genuine character, and the creamy 45.7% mouthfeel is one of the gin's most impressive qualities. At around £38, the organic production, the Gold award, and the Highland provenance represent excellent value. From a crowdfunded fire station, a gin that set the world alight.
