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.
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.
Murray McDavid Duo
In a wonderfully candid and personal piece, Archie shares his transition into trusting independent bottlers and how he decided to start with Murray McDavid. It’s not what you might think.
Official vs Indy: Dalmore
The gateway dram for Charlie was a Dalmore 18 year old. We all start somewhere. In this instalment of his indy vs official series he tackles Dalmore once more. Four of them.
Seven from Tri Carragh
Facing an ever-expanding stash of samples, Archie decides to get torn into a pack of Tri Carragh samples he was sent last year, most of which are still available, and some of which are belters.
Signatory Glentauchers 16yo
Three of the team hark back to Christmas vibes as they each, independently, happen upon a Signatory 100º Proof Exceptional Cask Glentauchers. As is typical with Dramface, it divides opinion.
Orkney Sponge 2005 16yo
Some jobs, such as Ainsley’s, means Christmas is hardly a time of rest; too much work and not enough play. Soon though, a rest and a return to the cabinet finds a Decadent Drinks Old Orkney and a return of the mojo.
Thompson Bros Mystery Malt Series 3
That tricky third album. It’s the third release of the Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Series and Hamish grabs another unknown bottle. As does Dramface journeyman Jackie, for his debut!
Lagavulin Distiller’s Edition
Continuing our Friday cocktail theme, Murdo bottle swaps to try a take on a somewhat famous whisky mixed drink: the Smokey Cokey with Lagavulin Distilller’s Edition. The whisky’s reviewed too, ‘course.
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.
Glenmorangie 16yo The Tribute
Broddy spots a tall bottle with appealing specs; 16 years and all ex-bourbon. He’s in. Glenmorangie too. Expecting an amplified 12yo, he’s left, not for the first time, rueing unmet expectations.
Thompson Bros Dufftown 16yo
Ainsley considers the seasonal moods of enjoying our drinks and preferring light and fresh sips in summer weather. Only to throw it all out the window for a banger of an oloroso Thompson Bros Dufftown.
Dalry Milk
Dougie recalls a weekend trip to Auld Reekie and reviews a whisky from there too. One which gathered viral attention from whisky folk & chocolate makers too, unfortunately - Master of Malt’s Dalry Milk.
Imperial 1989 16yo
Following the inevitable arc of whisky discovery, Charlie arrives at the search for affordable bottles of amber history; malts from ghost distilleries. He dives into a vintage Imperial from Signatory.
Kilkerran 16yo 2024
Faced with some recent difficulty, Wally evaluates a thing he leans upon to bring comfort and optimism. Catharsis comes through the lens of an affordable, available Campbeltown sparkler.
Laphroaig 16yo
In an exploration of tasting all the things that no one should really be able to taste, Fergus reviews Laphroaig's 16. He finds all the usual notes with this one, and some crazy talk too.
Longmorn 16yo Then & Now
Murdo heads up one of our 'Then & Now' comparison reviews; this time featuring Longmorn's legendary 16 year olds. There's also a bonus buddy up on the iconic 15yo with Fergus.
Union Distillery Vintage 2005
The mule network kicks in to share mature Union Distillery malt with Ainsley in Paris and Wally in Scotland. Both tear into a surprising and well-priced 16yo cracker from Brazil.
Fettercairn 16yo
Considering the role of malt whisky today versus what it was in the very recent past, Fletcher goes looking for something akin to Batman; that which is capable of being more than just one thing.
Kilkerran 16yo 2023
A love affair with Campbeltown Whiskies, gone cold, warms again for Ramsay with a lucky find of his beloved Kilkerran 16yo. Is this 2023 recipe departure enough to reignite the romance?