Three Independents | Various ABV

Taking Time

Even before writing for Dramface, one thing I admired about the site and writers, especially as a budding enthusiast myself, was the deliberation apparent in each write-up.

Rather than rush through reviews to stay on top of the newest releases or aid producers and bottlers with ready-made acclaim to accompany their latest out-turns - feeding the whisky-influencer industrial complex – (as I touched upon slightly in my Aberargie discussion), there’s instead a slow thoughtfulness and meticulous approach that’s visible within each piece.

After all, time is an all-important whisky ingredient.

Not just years or even decades in oak barrels to impart flavors and notes, but time spent in a glass or bottle - and with a human being, as they ponder the mysteries and intricacies of each pour.

Nothing about whisky is meant to be rushed.

As I transitioned from casual sipper to dyed-in-the-wool botherer, this is something I discovered as I learned the art of patience, more fastidious note taking, and of course, to slow down. Of course, not everyone enjoys their whisky this way and I recognize that I and the other nerds are the minority.

And to be fair to myself, I’m not always in the mood for note taking and obsession over every liquid nuance. Now and then I just want to pour, sip, and savor without thinking about it, there’s plenty on the shelf to match mood and occasion.

Not to get all Freudian, but sometimes a whisky is just a whisky.

But if serious examination is to be made then time needs to be a factor. That means letting the pour rest in a glass before nosing and tasting. There’s a noticeable difference between pouring and nosing straightaway versus allowing the dram to breathe in a glass with added exposure to air. Proper time for note taking, full nerd style.

Further, watching the liquid levels fall and giving the whisky time on the shelf brings additional character. Not to say it changes drastically or becomes different, but subtleties can be observed. I’ve seen my enjoyment both grow and lessen over time with many bottles. Mostly grow.

It’s well known in the circles of whisky geekdom that a dram or bottle “opening up” can make all the difference in terms of engagement.

This also gives us the opportunity to nose and taste at different hours of the day and in varying atmospheres or settings. Again, subtle differences to be sure, but they can be noticeable. I’ve poured a dram back because I wasn’t in the mood, or when I thought that my palate just wasn’t “on.”

All this to say that it takes proper time to get proper notes on proper whisky.

Bringing me back to my original point and where I hope this gives us a tad more cred with the Dramface faithful. Thoughtfulness is painstakingly “poured” into each write-up.

What we may sacrifice a bit in terms of “relevance” has hopefully been paid back through thorough deliberation. An honest snapshot and discussion is presented - as much as one mere mortal can do.

The reason I’m prefacing all this is simply that the three bottles we have before us today are from independent bottler Woodrow’s of Edinburgh and their 2026 Q1 outturn, released at the end of January. By no means “recently” as of this writing and not as relevant as some would like, but enough time to be given appropriate attention and shared accordingly - as one is meant to do with the good whisky they have in their possession.

Woodrow’s just released a newer-still outturn within the last few weeks. So, although the content here may be slightly dated, the whisky was worth the extra scrutiny. Not only by my own notes but shared among friends and fellow enthusiasts to ensure suitable promulgations from the whisky faithful.

I think I made my point. Since there’s three bottles to discuss, let’s get to it!

In ascending order by age statement…

Review 1/3

Ben Nevis 9yo, Woodrow’s of Edinburgh Warehouse Reserve, Matured in American Oak, refill bourbon and finished in PX and Oloroso sherry “Blood Tub” hogsheads, Second release, 58.2% ABV
US$105 paid, (£78) now sold out

“A sequel, two years in the making. From the foot of Ben Nevis to a mad scientist’s lab in Edinburgh. An experiment so wrong…it’s right. They defied logic. They played God. They did the unthinkable…and now…IT HAS RETURNED. Coming to a bottle near you, BLOOD TUBS TWO! Don’t sip it…. alone.”

I’ve waxed about my journey through the search bar and discovering the gems and unicorns of write-ups past during my Dramface Academy days. I don’t think I could recall them all from memory if pressed, but if someone brought one up in casual conversation I’d probably blurt out: “OH! That was a Dramface 9!”

To which I’d get mostly confused stares.

But yes. The first iteration of this bottle, The Original Ben Nevis 9-year Bloodtubs (We’ll call it First Blood) scored a Bonafide Dramface 9 from Dougie just two years ago.

His notes on that bottle seemed like the stuff from which legends were made.

So, I nearly spit out my coffee when I read first thing in the morning that First Blood Part II would be arriving in the February outturn with a note: “This is already sold out.” Only 74 total bottles were released. I cashed in all my whisky chits to secure one and didn’t end up overpaying. Lucky me. We applaud the great retailers.

But what of the whisky? Does the sequel deliver as well as the original?

Score: 8/10

**Something special.**
***TL;DR***
*Blood tubs return for damn good whisky*

Nose

What. A. Nose. This is magical stuff. Just lovely. Two pages of notes on this one. Where to begin…

Deep breath

Opens with red cherry candy but there’s considerable depth beyond that. Fruity, savory, sweet, earthy, and funky all at once. A lot to unpack. Dried cranberries. Cherry pits. Dusty old library shelves. Worn leather. A mineral-ey, metallic, almost “Campbeltown” funkiness here. Deep earthiness like cold, wet clay. Matchbox. Browned apples. Sugared blackberries. Cloves. Is that some mintiness back there? Light, Spring floral notes wafting somewhere. A bit of a nose prickle and a little heat to get past. Mike & Ike’s candy. Hints of licorice. Dessert toffee.

Water brings an oily industrial funk and gives a jammier profile to the dram. Cedarwood and pipe tobacco. Confectioner’s sugar. Strawberry jelly. Somehow dustier. Melon fruits and cantaloupe. Raspberry vinegar. Sauteed mushrooms. Wow.

Palate

POWER. Jammy fruits. Strawberries. Burnt sugar. Raisins. A sweet and sour mustiness rolls around the tongue. Intense, oily, and thick mouthfeel. Mineral funkiness comes back. Licorice and cinnamon spice. Snickers bar. Kettle corn. Ginger. A light sulphur note lingers in the very back.

Water mellows this a bit and brings cloves, candied nuts, and kettle corn. There are chocolate chip cookies on the finish and it ends on a rich, chocolatey dessert note.

Wow wow.

The Dregs

For a 9-year-old whisky this is amazing stuff. I don’t know that much about Blood Tubs except from what was communicated to me. Apparently, they’re extremely small casks and called that because the whisky goes in one color and comes out the color of blood.

I mean, come on.

I haven’t seen any other bottlers advertise or use similar barrels like blood tubs, or if it’s similar to Octaves and this is just their term, but we know they’re mad scientists over there at WOE. Whatever Frankenstein whisky they’ve created here, it’s truly special.

I reviewed Dougie’s notes from the 2024 release (First Blood!) And we came to similar conclusions, especially around the uniqueness of the whisky and explosion of flavors. This really is a funky, fruit-powered flavor bomb.

Without hemming and hawing too much over scoring and numbers, I could push an 8.5 or maybe I could get to a 9, especially as I continue to engage with the bottle. I shared this during a tasting and for a lot of folks it was the winner of the evening.

Maybe when I get to the end of this bottle – hopefully faraway in the future as I want to savor every drop - I could get to a 9, but for now I’m satisfied with an 8. Special stuff.

That’s no slouch score and this is no slouch whisky!

“Mission… accomplished.”

Score: 8/10

Review 2/3

Campbeltown 10yo, Teaspooned Glen Scotia, Woodrow’s of Edinburgh Warehouse Reserve, matured in a refill bourbon hogshead, Cask 75, 56% ABV
US$95 paid, (£70) still some availability

I really like Campbeltown ‘blends’. Being the whisky nerd that I am, I especially enjoy comparing them across bottlers and cask profiles.

When I saw that Woodrow’s was releasing a Campbeltown blend as part of their Q1 outturn I was excited to see their spin on this popular release among indies. Unlocking the mysteries of these ambiguously named bottles is half the fun, and both a challenge to dig deep for familiar notes and an opportunity to contrast with other brands.

Like most Campbeltown blends bottled by IB’s, this is a Glen Scotia “teaspooned”… with Springbank. How much is unknown. Only the 10-year age statement and a message from Woodrow’s letting me know this when I inquired is all I have to go on.

I did a comparison to a couple other Campbeltown blends in bourbon I have access too, most notably the North Star Spirits “Campbeltown Connection,” ably reviewed by Charlie last Summer.

Both have 10-year age statements and both are from bourbon hogsheads - seems as good a comparison as any. The ‘Connection is marketed as a blended malt whisky whereas the label for the Woodrow’s bottle simply says “Distilled in Campbeltown.”

I don’t have anything further to add from Charlie’s review on the Campbeltown Connection. The comparison was more for funsies and to form base notes. This is about the Woodrow’s bottle. And just like my preface, it is a testimony to the importance of time.

Score: 7/10

**Very good indeed.**
**TL;DR**
*Funky, fruity, sweet. Everything we love about the ‘toon in a bottle*

Nose

I’ll admit, initially the nose felt closed and it was hard to get anything aside from vague metallic funkiness. With time, this dram really opened up. Quite enjoyable. Vanilla cake frosting. Minerality and a dusty, coppery funk. Burlap. Sea-salt. Mango. Pineapple. The slightest hints of smokiness in the background but more the whispers of old tobacco or a spent cigar. Salted caramel. Stormwater on concrete. A touch of vegetal brininess.

Water brings barley chaff and haygrass, surprising farminess, but also more citrus fruits like orange peel and sugary lemon. Dry bread crust. Sour apple. Saltwater taffy. Still coppery like old pipes. Slightest hints of chocolate fudge.

Palate

Fruitier than the nose. Vanilla cream. Mango smoothie. Sherbert. Berry fruits. Honey sweetness. Toasted coconut. Surprisingly creamy mouthfeel. Over time there’s a pleasant salty, doughy maltiness. Long Beach tap water funk (iykyk). Wet wood. Water brings more fruity sweetness. Peach yogurt. Pears. Lemon bars. Overripe apples. Birthday cake.

The finish is long and lovely with buttercream, fluffy American biscuits, a light savory tang and a taffy stickiness.

The Dregs

Father time is undefeated as the saying goes. In this case it worked well in our favor, as it usually does with whisky.

Despite remarkably similar metrics, there just seems to be more depth to the Woodrow’s bottle than the ‘Connection. Similar Campbeltown signatures - fruity, funky, and sweet, but more depth and engagement on the Woodrow’s. It was a few dollars more, so the value edge goes to the ‘Connection, but I must say I was pleasantly surprised, not because it’s Woodrow’s who I know to be a very reputable bottler, but that a simple, ten-year-old teaspooned Glen Scotia could drive so much engagement. This is very good whisky and has been fun to explore.

The more time went on, the more complexity could be found. The dram takes water well, to which there’s more fruitiness and sweetness after a couple drops and a long finish which I usually judge to be the difference between “just good” and “very good” among other things.

I enjoyed the interplay at the end between that signature funkiness, vanilla creaminess, and fruits; always the best of what Campbeltown (Glen Scotia) can deliver.

Score: 7/10

Review 3/3

Tobermory (Ledaig) 15yo, Woodrow’s of Edinburgh Warehouse Reserve, Curator’s Cut Collection, Matured in a refill bourbon cask and finished in a Sauternes Wine Barrique, 52.3% ABV
US$95 paid, (£70) still some availability

The Ledaig 10 year was a whisky I connected with early in my whisky journey. Since then, I’m always on the lookout for new releases from indies. Unfortunately, they do tend to be on the pricier side even at medium age statements and I more often take a pass.

So even though the blood tubs was a rare bottle, I’ll admit it was the Ledaig that was opened first. The opportunity to get a well-priced 15-year Ledaig in Sauternes seemed too good to pass up. I was happy when it was announced and that I was able to secure a bottle.

Score: 7/10

**Very good indeed.**
***TL;DR***
*The real sweet peat*

Nose

Right away strong woodsmoke layered with dirty sea-salt funkiness and fruity sweetness. Yellow apples. Burnt logs. Cold ashes. Dole canned pineapple. Green grapes. A definite creaminess like salted butter. Roasted chicken. Distant sort of earthy, maritime minerality like tide pools or beach pebbles. Crisp white wine. Peach yogurt. There’s a deep sweetness here, almost like a rum cask finish or cane sugar or frozen lemonade concentrate. Seasoning salt. Burnt rope. Caramel drizzle. Light medicinal notes. Water brings more pineapple and enhances the salted butter lactic creaminess while subduing the smoke slightly, but brings a nice dockside vegetal funk and old boat rope.

Palate

Bigger smokiness. Layers of sweet cream. Lemon cake. Cracked pepper potato chips. Vanilla frosting. Pineapple and mango upside down cake. There’s a touch of earthy dirtiness here too. Water brings ashiness alongside the smoke, orange Otter Pops, and a burnt toast and buttered popcorn finish.

The Dregs

The only peated whisky of this trio and a cracking good Ledaig!

The Sauternes cask is well integrated and adds a lovely, layered sweetness. Not to steal thunder from the good people at Lagavulin and their marketing team, but this is “sweet peat” personified - except much more engaging and at higher ABV!

The earthy Ledaig smokiness pairs well with the cask. There’re also maritime and slight medicinal notes that feels more Islay to me (certainly not a bad thing) but the unique dirtiness of the Ledaig comes through.

Another bottle I’ve shared recently at a tasting and another proclaimed success for Woodrow’s. The value was good also, especially for 15-year Ledaig at cask strength and in Sauternes.

I’m happy there’s still a few bottles floating around out there.

Score: 7/10

The Final Dregs

Hard to see these bottles as anything but another set of winners from the husband-and-wife power team over at Woodrow’s of Edinburgh.

Despite my notes coming in “late,” I’m satisfied enough time was spent with each of the three bottles to get a good feel for each of them.

Sharing with friends or at tastings was of course an added bonus!

The Ben Nevis was the star of the show to be sure, and I look forward to pulling that out as an “occasion” whisky in the months and years to come, seeing what more time and air do to the liquid as the level slowly descends.

The “Campbeltown” was also very good. Glen Scotia has been a distillery I’ve been reaching for lately and particularly enjoy seeing the contrast to their peated and unpeated spirit and comparing these Campbeltown “blends” as they come out.

I’ve sent out samples of the Ledaig to friends. Aside from the Ben Nevis, this is the whisky I’ve been most excited to share. Most of my whisky friends are fans of either Ledaig specifically or more-peated whiskies in general, so this one has been well received!

As always, I’m keeping my eyes and ears peeled for future Woodrow’s releases and will do my best to snag them when I can, just don’t expect timely write-ups.

These whiskies are meant to be savored, never rushed.

Tried these? Share your thoughts in the comments below. AD

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