Sutherland-based distillers, bottlers and blenders The Thompson Brothers today announce the launch of a £1.8 million crowdfunding campaign to help fund the construction of the Struie Distillery, a cutting-edge sustainable distillery located in Dornoch, less than 200 meters from their current site, Dornoch Distillery. This ambitious project aims to redefine the future of whisky production while boosting the local economy and advancing sustainable industry practices.
The new distillery will have a production capacity far exceeding the original Dornoch distillery. Struie Distillery will produce up to 20 times more of the globally acclaimed Dornoch Single Malt Whisky, building on the success of the current operation at Dornoch Distillery, which has seen continued oversubscription with every release and will run alongside the new development. Every aspect of production except malting will be handled on-site, from liquid creation to blending, bottling, labelling, and shipping. The new distillery will also create 10 new jobs in the local area, further supporting the community.
At the heart of the proposals is an industry-leading commitment to sustainability. Utilising patent-pending technology, including a unique still and condenser design, which has been engineered and designed to run from on-site generated renewable energy sources, the distillery will operate with zero carbon emissions across scope one and two. This innovation will mean that the Struie Distillery’s energy efficiency should be the best in the world, making it one of the most sustainable distilleries globally and at the forefront of a more sustainable future for Scotland’s whisky industry.
Since 2016, Phil and Simon Thompson have grown Thompson Brothers into a highly successful independent whisky business, boasting a significant output of Single Malt whisky casks, independent bottlings, and gin. This crowdfunding campaign presents an opportunity to support one of the most respected and exciting names in the whisky industry in the creation of a groundbreaking sustainable distillery.
“Our vision is to create a distillery that not only produces exceptional spirits but also sets a new standard for environmental responsibility in the industry,” said Phil Thompson. “Since my brother and I first dreamt of a new distillery, everything we’ve done has been building towards that goal. This crowdfunding campaign is about financing the build through the support of the wonderful whisky community that will help us to grow and share more Sutherland spirits with the world, all whilst bringing more long-term non-seasonal employment to the region we call home.”
Simon Thompson added, “We’re building Struie Distillery with a blend of past, present and future thinking. The goals we’ve put in place are about making great whisky right away, utilising many old-style production principles that we already run at Dornoch Distillery, but also building something unique and sustainable that will raise the bar globally for what distillers can do to protect the environment for the future. We want Struie whisky to be as delicious as it is sustainable.”
The new distillery, designed by Leask Architects, will feature patent-pending technology and renewable energy sources, ensuring zero carbon emissions through scope one and two. The project is also expected to significantly boost the local economy, creating new jobs and engaging the estimated 12,000 annual visitors to the region that’s home of the distillery, Dornoch Castle hotel and its world-famous whisky bar, and The Royal Dornoch Golf Club Championship Course, rated one of the best golf courses in the world.
The crowdfunding campaign aims to raise £1.8m as part of an overall raise of £5m into Thompson Independent Traders Limited, the group that consists of Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch Distillery Company Limited, Thompson Bros Independent bottling, blending as well as the new distillery development, Struie Distillery. The additional £3.2m will come from a combination of new and existing investors via a series A fundraise.
For more information about the Thompson Brothers crowdfunding campaign and investment opportunities, please visit [website address] or contact [email protected].
