North British 33yo
Thompson Bros x Royal Mile Whiskies | 40.1% ABV
Score: 7/10
Very Good Indeed.
TL;DR
A low ABV easy-sipping bargain that somehow retains complexity and texture
Drink less. Taste more.
I'm out of the routine of pouring a weekly whisky these past few months. It's taken me a while to tune my nose and palate once more and to sit down and confidently dissect a whisky for you wonderful Dramfacers.
2025 has so far been a very busy one in the Hamish realm. Outside of whisky, work and health have been the main items filling up the mindshare and calendar. While I’d like the work side of things to get lost - so I’d not be as busy - I've made a conscious effort this year to look after myself a bit more. This of course means less whisky drinking; and so less time to create notes and reviews.
Purchasing has also been limited this year, consciously. I am very picky right now about what I'm interested in buying. I'm always interested in tasting what I can of course, but I find myself less in the mood for cask strength stuff these days, both when reaching for a glass, but also when I'm about to pull a trigger on a new bottle. I think it's just where my mind, palate and body are at right now. I'm still totally after the experience, flavour and complexity, but just not at the upper bands of alcohol strengths.
During these past few months, while I haven't written much for Dramface, I find I'm reading more, walking more and filling up the weekends with more socially-themed events, which is providing me with a different purpose this year. With big projects and deadlines, the 9-to-5 is as busy as it’s ever been, so other things in life are calling out to satisfy my need for distraction and to do something ‘more’.
Yet somehow there’s that comfort in the background, my whisky is still there, waiting patiently.
'Oh, no matter what, the alcohol and whisky will always be there'. Ha!
That's not what I mean. Yes, the liquid itself, but also the community.
I've been told in the past to make sure you do what you love and what makes you happy, and I should take care not to sound like an alcoholic; but whisky has brought a part of that happiness to me and has done for almost a decade. It's been a wonderful gateway to meeting people that I’m proud to now call friends. Then there are the lessons of appreciating flavour over alcohol - and from there elevated flavours in everything; beer, wine and even food too!
But I suppose I'm also grateful that it's not the only thing there to help when I'm feeling low, and I’ve reassured myself there isn't an underlying dependency on alcohol itself. Sure, social events and meet ups do include a few pints - there's no hiding away or denying that - I'm Irish after all; I think it's written in our DNA - 'awh sure a wee drink will do ye no harm'.
But it can and it does. These recent months have acted as a nice break and shown me that it’s a healthy pursuit and I can take a step back anytime with little consequence. I suppose we all need to practice a little awareness.
And so I found it quite easy to leave it a while; have those dry weeks or even just pour an occasional and simple ‘forty-percenter’ during a movie or a quiet weekend. Or simply switch pace and have a can of crisp, cold IPA waiting for me; delicious stuff.
Despite all of this though, I haven’t lost touch, I still keep an eye out. The bottle for today's review is something that seemed to fit the bill for my recently redrawn palate preferences. It also piqued my interest in delving into some more single grain, with an unmissable deal from the Thompson Brothers.
Review
North British 33yo, Thompson Brothers for Royal Mile Whiskies, “An Edinburgh Dram”, Single Grain Scotch Whisky, 40.1% ABV
£65 paid and still some availability at time of writing
I'll be the first to admit that for years I avoided single grain Scotch whisky. I think I looked down on it. Snobbery took hold and anything that wasn't malted barley, through a traditional copper pot still, wasn't for me. I saw it as 'blend fodder'; a sub-par tasting experience. I’m sure you’ve heard it all.
Of course, I've now seen the error in my naive ways. Thanks to splendid blended whiskies over the past few years, yes, but also single grain offerings from Loch Lomond and the likes of Fragrant Drops and the Thompson Brothers. Today, the value and enjoyment are there and more of it seems to be available than ever before.
I'd known about North British, but never actually sampled any. That changed dramatically at the Glasgow Whisky Festival one year when I was encouraged to try some of it from Fragrant Drops - both table-top and some cheeky under-the-table offerings too. Now by this stage I'll admit that I was many drams deep, as is the festival way, and I think my palate was a little fried. Yet I was still taken aback at how delicious a pour of North British it was; I wanted more.
I honestly can't remember exactly what release it was, and I was cognisant enough to realise a few NB's were at play here, but it was different. Not sharp and baseless like I'd assumed. Since then I've done some bottle splits and picked up a few samples to explore more delicious grain offerings from North British.
But this one today was a no brainer, and affordable enough to not require a split.
On release of this bottle, I sprung the paltry £65 being asked for a 33 year old whisky (the oldest whisky I've personally purchased, actually, too) from the Thompson Brothers. As is typical these days, I place my faith in them once again with this Royal Mile Whiskies exclusive.
This one is a 1991 vintage from North British - one of the country's oldest and largest Scotch grain distilleries - and matured for ‘over 33 years’.
Specially chosen by the Thompson Bros team for the folks at Royal Mile Whiskies, it was released at The Fringe Whisky Festival in August, but still has some availability online at time of writing - for £65
Score: 7/10
Very Good Indeed.
TL;DR
A low ABV easy-sipping bargain that somehow retains complexity and texture
Nose
PVC glue. New pencil case; pencil shavings too. Blueberries. It has some brightness and punchiness on the first approach; surprising given its 40.1% ABV. There are hints of lemon and honeydew melon. Slightly perfumed with grass trimmings and rose petals. Elements of freshly baked bread, whipped cream and brown sugar.
Palate
Creamy and malty right away. Great, tongue-coating mouthfeel; almost silky. A slightly spiced and leathery back note with a miniscule hint of smoke at the finish too. Reminds me of black refuse bags and plasticine. Black cherries, cheap supermarket chocolate and blackberry jam.
The Dregs
This tastes a touch more complex and stronger than its 40.1% would suggest possible. It's surprising how so much flavour and texture come at a near minimum ABV. It noses well, but it’s even better on the palate. That PVC element always presents when I sample North British whiskies, but I find it enjoyable. This whisky has a nice finish that rounds off with a sweet crème brûlée element.
You don't hear many shout and praise North British enough, and for me this is one of the better North British whiskies I've had. It’s so balanced with its cream, malt and sweetness. Don’t let the low ABV put you off.
For £65, this was a no-brainer - a bargain as far as I'm concerned in 2025. These affordable, mature grain whiskies show they can stand up to single malt, offering much older, significant age statements without the need to break the bank.
Tasty and affordable? Can’t it be both?
If it's still out there by bottle-end, I'll consider picking up another. With this one, Royal Mile Whiskies and the Thompson Brothers have released a pitch-perfect recipe for my recent contemplative frugality and - of course - healthier living.
Score: 7/10 HF
Tried this? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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