The importance of independent bottlers at full display. I had not heard of Circumstance Distillery before Thompson Bros bottled its whisky. I suspect that was the case for many whisky enthusiasts, especially those outside the UK. Now I’m massively excited about this small organic producer in Bristol, England.
I don’t think any of Circumstance Distillery’s whisky is exported outside of the UK, except for some of the independent stuff. Even still, there hasn’t been much. Aside from the two Thompson Bros releases, only Master of Malt and That Boutique-y Whisky Company have bottled whiskies from Circumstance Distillery.
For more insight into Circumstance and what makes this distillery stands out, I highly recommend Jacopo Mazzeo’s article for Whisky Magazine. Here’s a short quote from the article that teases this producer’s uniqueness:
“Alongside French saison yeast, responsible for fermenting Circumstance’s leading grain bill – a blend of malted (85 per cent) and unmalted (15 per cent) barley – wheat yeast is used on a wheat-based recipe inspired by classic German hefeweizen and involving a mere 20–30 per cent malted barley. Meanwhile, mead yeast ferments a rye-heavy wort, wherein rye is used in a ratio of 51-to-49 with malted barley.”
Right? Tell me you’re not intrigued?
Both Thompson Bros releases qualify as single grain whisky. They’re made from the aforementioned leading grain bill, meaning 85 per cent malted and 15 per cent unmalted barley. The whisky was fermented for 10 to 14 days before a slow distillation in a steel pot still with a copper head/neck and a copper column with 4 plates.
Circumstance Distillery 2020 3 Years (57.1%, Thompson Bros, 2024)
Nose: Slightly shy before a more distinct acacia honey note takes over. There are distant floral notes too, as well as hints of fruit teas, a sliver of papaya and thyme. Finally some stewed pears as well as sunflower oil.
Taste: A rather thick, almost oily texture. Again, it’s the honey notes that stand out initially, accompanied by dark caramel and increasing fruity flavours. Almost tropical at times, but with a distinct cereal note never far away.
Finish: Medium length. A hint of fennel, soft oak and sweet fruits.
Circumstance Distillery 2019 4 Years (57.1%, Thompson Bros, 2024)
Nose: Rather bright. Hints of cotton candy grapes, ripe apples and Greek yoghurt with a few drops of lemon juice. A surprising note that reminds me of rock pools, after which it continues into vanilla territory.
Taste: Again, great texture. Creamy, oily. Almost a kind of caramel and malty flavour that reminds me of a decent red ale, sans the hoppiness of course. Hints of breakfast tea with a dollop of honey, then black pepper and some faint notes of orange peel.
Finish: Medium length. A tinge of coffee and maybe some pralines, but definitely a malty backbone. Finally a more herbal note as well.
Photos: Whiskybase
