Whisky Reviews
Here you'll find honest opinions, thoughtful analysis and the occasional disagreement, because no two palates are quite the same. We review widely, score reluctantly and remain convinced that whisky is far more interesting than the numbers attached to it.
Agreement is optional; curiosity is encouraged.
Official vs Indy: Balvenie
Continuing his series, this time Charlie visits Balvenie. While the outcome might be - for us - expected, it lights his interest in yet another distillate that is usually otherwise obscured from us. A bonus from Kininvie appears too.
Adelphi Summer 2026 Outturn
When times are tougher and the purse strings are pulled tighter on the whisky budget, Drummond is pleased to benefit a little from the Dramface Deflection System. Six from Adelphi in the hopper today!
Cut Your Wolf Loose Sextet
Six - yes six - from Cut Your Wolf Loose today. In a remarkably candid piece, our LA resident Archie reflects on a tumultuous professional path to date, all to explain his love for art - and independence.
Impex Duo - Isle of Raasay & Ardmore
Archie grabs his favourites from a recent Impex Collection outturn, it just so happens both are on the peaty side, but he’s more grateful for a common theme in Dramface recently; the community that exposed them to him.
Arran 14yo (2026)
Sometimes we place unrealistic expectations on things, based on our own dreams and memories, building up inevitable ‘failure’. The return of Arran’s 14yo has Wally wondering if we’re all just after a ‘hot take’.
Official vs Indy: The Singletons
Charlie continues his deep dive into new distilleries (to him), this time uncovering the two ‘Glens’ of Ord and ‘Dullan, then comparing two Special releases to indies from James Eadie and the Thompson Bros.
Bruichladdich 25th Anniversary Preview Trio
A curious set of preview samples from Bruichladdich to review. These will be released in 2026 to celebrate their 25 years of revival. Wally is happy he kept them for himself this time.
Glendronach 14yo Single Cask Nation
Remember that Dramface article where the writer took the bottle on a hike for pictures and almost stood on a big rattlesnake? Single Cask Nation Glendronach 14 to share the tale.
Four Single Casks from Woodrow’s
A new year, a new writer. Debutant Archie sips from Long Beach California and for his first Dramface piece he went for four from Woodrow’s. A Balvenie, Laphroaig, Dailuaine and an Ardna. Nice.
Cadenhead’s Ledaig 14yo & WLP 2025
After a mini-gathering at Whisky Live Paris, Hughie and Ainsley buddy up for a short resumé of events over a Cadenhead’s Ledaig 14yo, as well as a campaign for us all to join them in Paris in future.
Springbank 14yo Bourbon Wood
As part of a recent fondness for both his Campbeltown faves and a penchant for auction hunting, Charlie snags a classic Springbank legend. But there’s always a risk, isn’t there?
Glen Scotia 14yo The Dragon
With knowledge of his locally produced Italian specialities, Hughie is skeptical when he picks up a discounted bottle of Glen Scotia’s 14yo The Dragon - from Barolo casks. Was he right to be nervous?
Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Series 2
We take a break from our summer, erm, break, to bring an epic team Dramface pile-on for the Thompson Brothers’ Mystery Malt Series No.2. Let’s see if we all pay attention to the try-it-blind memo this time.
Balmenach Indy Quartet
Hamish has fallen down a Balmenach rabbit hole, which means he’s discovered a worm tub rabbit hole. Today, he shares four malts in a vertical line up looking into what the worm tub might be about.
Indy Ledaig Quintet
Fletcher uses a quintet of quite different, independently released Ledaig expressions to try to fathom how Signatory Vintage arrived at its pricing for a recent Cask Strength 17yo single cask.
Invergordon 14yo
Ogilvie has been starved of whisky choice recently, but a positive effect of this is a more curious mind. Which led hime to pick up a 14yo Invergordon official bottling. We’re intrigued!
Clynelish 14yo
After conquering his recent FOMO, Ramsay tries to banish his HAMO; Have Already Missed Out. Reviewing Clynelish - one of whisky's legends - makes him consider what's gone before.
Linkwood 14yo
The weather isn't enough to dampen Paisley's desire to return to a favourite Linkwood. She thinks it's the canny use of a refill cask that's made this bargain North Star release perfect for any season.
Caol Ila 12yo vs 5 Indys
Weekend sorted: exploring the idea you can't screw up a Caol Ila, Tav earns a gold star by lining up 5 indy bangers and comparing them all to the classic official 12yo.
Fettercairn 14yo
Wally celebrates Dramface being noticed and shares why he thinks that is, and it's a bit like the strategy that Fettercairn seems to be having a go at recently. He likes.