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.
Glen Moray Classic
In railing against the addition of colour and chill-filtering, Mason is tripped up by a bargain-basement Glen Moray Classic. He’s forced to apply some pragmatism and just appreciate what it is.
Official vs Indy: Cardhu
Charlie continues his dive into official releases versus indies. In exploring Cardhu, he places two official bottles against a James Eadie - can we already guess which is best?
Fenspirits Distillery English Single Malt
A Dramface first - a donation from the community! Also a first for Ally Mann; reviewing an English single malt. He admits to a short hiatus from whisky too, and remarks on the positives of taking a break.
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.
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.
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.
AnCnoc 12yo Vintage Bottling
After a remarkable career, Ogilvie has decided to retire. Not from Dramface, but his real job. By pleasant coincidence he notes that the arrival and departure of his final chapter are marked by AnCnoc’s 12 year old.
AnCnoc 12yo
In revisiting an old favourite, Hughie puts the case forward for 40% ABV entry level offerings, as well as the dangers of applying the strategy to the rest of the range. AnCnoc 12 is in the glass.
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.
Tamnavulin Port Cask
Matching whisky with audience can be tricky. It’s either too much, or not enough. Our debutant Ally shares his experience with a NAS supermarket Tamnavulin Port Cask Edition. All £19 of it.
Golden Ribbon 1980s Blended Scotch
Were old blends better? Ainsley snags an old export blend and compares it to five contemporary scotch blends available to him in France. The results are revealing. It does not go well.
Glengoyne 10yo
Faced with a bargain, Fletch returns to a bottle he’s not touched in years. Noticing just how much the prices of supermarket whiskies are being crunched, he picks up Glengoyne’s 10yo to consider why.
Bowmore Trio
Charlie asks the all important question - If Bowmore is truly one of Scotch whisky’s legends - why are none of their official releases any good? Brutal. But he explores three to find out.
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby
Gilbert adds another Johnnie Walker to the collection and asks ‘what’s in a name?’ A lot, apparently, especially when you’re trying really hard to find the right one.
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.
Aberlour 12yo Double Cask
Fergus makes a case for the occasional entry-level bottle. Accepting his penchant for natural ‘enthusiast’ whiskies he find a comforting spot for an Aberlour 12 Double Cask, while watching 80’s movies, preferably.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
A favourite Gilbert pastime is chasing blends. Reluctant to splash out on the “Ultimate” scotch blend, Gilbert borrows a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label and gives it a whirl for us all.
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.
Johnnie Walker Red Label
While shopping for bits and bobs, Mason is hit by nostalgia from a cute 20cl bottle of Johnnie Walker Red. At only €7, he decides to have a little fun despite the inevitable disappointment of this modern blend.