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: Aberfeldy
Vanilla. Some distilleries are just a bit like that. Charlie continues his Official vs Indy series with Aberfeldy and struggles to define what it’s all about. A Decadent Drinks is up against an official 21yo Madeira cask.
Official vs Indy: Benrinnes
Having never climbed Ben Rinnes, Charlie decides to clamber through three - make that four(ish) - expressions of the Benrinnes spirit to see what it’s all about. Official vs Indy once more!
Decadent Drinks April 2026
As well as sharing his thoughts on a selection of Decadent Drinks recent outturn, Ainsley also shares his thoughts on his latest visit to the Independent Spirits Festival in Leith.
Cadenhead’s Glen Grant 21yo
Ainsley rejoices in the friends and like-minded companionship can bring, yet selects a special and mature Cadenhead’s Glen Grant to put forward the case for sipping, contemplatively, alone.
Glendronach 21yo
With a rare glimpse into Murdo’s home life, he shares a tale with a bottle that has become something of a domestic icon for him. A vintage Glendronach 21yo(?) from 2021.
Seven from Decadent Drinks
Ainsley is full of excuses: Brexit, holidays, distractions, work, being French. Eventually, he gets around to sharing some beauties from Decadent Drinks. The good news; they’re belters & mostly still about.
Glen Garioch 21yo 1990s
Are auctions coming back to the rational drinker? If so, that appeals to Nick who occasionally stumbles upon bonus bargains to assist the shipping costs, like this vintage Glen Garioch gem.
Blendathon - Ten Reviews in One
Broddy tries to break Dramface with an epic assessment of ten banging modern blends. He recruits some local pals and covers them all - blind. Think you’re only into malt? This one’s a cracker.
Four Forgotten Blends
Charlie digs out four somewhat forgotten blends from his cupboard to revisit them, all the while realising they all have a story - and a good reason for being there.
Glen Scotia 21yo
The Glen Scotia ‘disco cow’ releases have become legendary, but unfortunately for their inconsistency. Charlie harks back to his Campbeltown childhood and shares where this 21yo lies.
Glen Grant 21yo Fragrant Drops
In sipping a curiously challenging Fragrant Drop Glen Grant 21yo, Wally asks an equally curiously challenging question - is malt whisky actually too cheap?
Four Decades of Glentauchers
After a ‘day-off’ yesterday, due to our AWOL editor, Innes gets us back into things with a study of five different Glentauchers bottlings over four decades, including one that really shouldn’t exist…
Glenfiddich 21 year old
Starting out eager and earnest, Mason grabbed a ‘bargain’ 21 year old Glenfiddich, only to discover that age and quality are not always synonymous in whisky.
Glen Ord Young vs Old
Ainsley brings a Glen Ord banger to a 90+ points whisky night and ends up contemplating what’s different about ‘older’ whiskies that are, in whisky terms, actually pretty young.
Miltonduff 21yo
While hearing about an absolute cracker of a lesser-seen Miltonduff, we get to know some secrets about Murdo and his other passions beyond what fits in a Glencairn. Fascinating.
MacNairs 21yo v Enigma 25yo
Fed up with grey days and bad news, Fletcher cracks open two well-aged blends on a budget to see if they can bring a little lightness. A Glenallachie made NacNair’s 21yo vs a Cadenhead’s 25yo.
Benriach 21yo
A vintage Benriach soothes Fletch as he protests the fleecing of travellers at visitor centres across Scotland, with the story of The Pilgrim. Many of us can relate.
Balvenie 21yo Portwood
Fletch is trying hard to find a nice, special occasion whisky but, in another fit of disappointment, he’s reminded instead of a childhood movie that still haunts him today.
Glencadam 21yo
Saving a special bottle for a quiet moment, Ramsay swims in a dusty and now discontinued Glencadam 21yo while wondering if it’s worth reviewing hard-to-find bottles. We must Tav! We must!
Longrow 18yo & 21yo
If we’re going to blindly chase bottles based on reputation alone, measured and as-objective-as-possible critique is crucial. Enter Tyree vs some mature Longrow. Fussiness expected.