There's a quiet revolution happening in independent Scotch, and Thompson Brothers are right in the thick of it. This Alness 12 Year Old is named for the Highland town that sits between two distilleries — Dalmore and Teaninich — and it's a vatting of malt from both. No mystery, no obfuscation, just two Highland malts married together and bottled at a proper 50% ABV. In an industry that loves to dress things up, that directness is worth something.
For those unfamiliar, Thompson Bros operate out of Dornoch and have built a serious reputation for sourcing well and bottling honestly. They don't chill-filter, they don't add colour, and they tend to let the whisky do the talking. The Alness series is one of their more interesting propositions — a blended malt that tells you exactly what's in the bottle. Dalmore brings the richer, more sherried character the distillery is known for. Teaninich, often overlooked despite being one of the Highlands' workhorses, contributes a grassy, slightly waxy quality that gives blends real backbone. Together, they make for a combination that should offer both depth and drinkability.
What to Expect
At 12 years old and 50% ABV, this sits in a sweet spot. The age gives it enough maturity to smooth out any rough edges, while the bottling strength means nothing has been diluted into anonymity. Blended malts at this age and strength tend to reward patience — a splash of water will likely open things up considerably. Given the component distilleries, I'd expect Highland fruit and malt sweetness up front, with that characteristic Teaninich waxiness adding texture and complexity underneath. This isn't a whisky that's trying to be flashy. It's trying to be good, which is a distinction worth making.
The Verdict
At £59.95, this is well-priced for what you're getting. Consider that an official Dalmore 12 will cost you roughly the same and comes at a lower ABV with added colouring. Here you're getting malt from two respected Highland distilleries, bottled without compromise by an independent with a strong track record. The blended malt category remains one of Scotch whisky's best-kept secrets — free from the marketing baggage of single malts, free from the snobbery that unfairly dogs blended Scotch, and often delivering better value than either. Thompson Bros understand this, and the Alness 12 is a fine example of the category done right. A 7.7 feels appropriate — this is a confident, well-constructed whisky that doesn't need a fancy box or a backstory to justify itself. It just needs a glass.
Best Served
Pour it neat first and give it five minutes to breathe — at 50%, it has enough presence to stand on its own. Then try it with eight or ten drops of water, which should coax out the softer, fruitier side of the Dalmore component. This would also work beautifully in a highball with good soda water and a strip of lemon peel — the bottling strength means it won't disappear under the carbonation the way lesser whiskies do. On a cold Edinburgh evening, I'd keep it neat. On a warm afternoon, the highball. Either way, you won't be disappointed.
