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.

Scotch Whisky Charlie Campbell Scotch Whisky Charlie Campbell

Antique Blends Trio

Charlie picks up three blends from the past - his own past - and dips in to see what he was missing. A Chivas Regal 12yo from the 1970s alongside an old Johnnie Walker Swing and a 1980s Teachers.

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Scotch Whisky Ally Mann Scotch Whisky Ally Mann

Wolfburn No.270

In a particularly fun and relatable piece, Ally shares the challenges at home of juggling the transition away from his over-accumulation and the onset of Storage Wars. A Wolfburn No.270 is in the glass.

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Scotch Whisky Archie Dunlop Scotch Whisky Archie Dunlop

Shieldaig Oloroso Cask

Archie happens upon a ‘distillery’ he’s never heard of. This ‘Shieldaig’ turns out to be a branded malt, which is fine. It has a purpose. Just like Dramface, which he also wants to discuss a little.

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Scotch Whisky Wally Macaulay Scotch Whisky Wally Macaulay

The Borders Right As Rain

Once more, Wally’s weary brain is faced with a whisky he doesn’t understand. In the end he wonders if the odd presentation of The Borders’ Right As Rain release is all to do with it being too cheap.

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Scotch Whisky Charlie Campbell Scotch Whisky Charlie Campbell

Johnnie Walker Double Black

It takes a trip far away, with too little whisky, to make Charlie reflect on how lucky he is to live so close to the source. With a Johnnie Walker Double Black, he sees that Scotland is, actually, a great place.

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Scotch Whisky Murdo McAtear Scotch Whisky Murdo McAtear

Nikka Coffey Malt

In a follow up to yesterday’s serendipitous collaborative review, we interrogate the purpose and provenance of Nikka’s Coffey Malt. It’s something of an odd fish that we seem to, oddly, appreciate.

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Scotch Whisky Ogilvie Shaw Scotch Whisky Ogilvie Shaw

Nikka Coffey Grain

The Colonials try to find a good bottle they can review as a collaboration. This is harder than you might imagine, given regional availability, but they settle on an enigma: Nikka’s Coffey Grain.

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Scotch Whisky Ogilvie Shaw Scotch Whisky Ogilvie Shaw

St George Baller

A memorable label was etched into Ogilvie’s mind & one day he finally found a St George’s Baller; an American ode to Japanese whisky. Therein he discovers one of his most challenging pours he’s ever tried.

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Scotch Whisky Innes Glenn Scotch Whisky Innes Glenn

Glen Scotia 28yo

Mining solo, Innes suddenly discovers a whisky club in London and everything changes - until Covid-19 changes everything. This 28yo Cadenhead’s Glen Scotia is from the (very recent) hay days.

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Scotch Whisky Dougie Crystal Scotch Whisky Dougie Crystal

Table Whisky

A man struck by strong branding and potent design, Dougie spots something that isn’t whisky - as he knows it. But it is £32.50, so he fires in to explore Port of Leith’s ‘Table Whisky’.

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