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.
Official vs Indy: Royal Lochnagar
In another of Charlies series, he looks at the exact opposite of Diageoβs so-called βworkhorseβ distilleries. This time itβs the tiny Royal Lochnagar, a rare thing indeed, and finding an indy proves tricky.
Bunnahabhain 6yo Peated SMoS
It turns out Fergie has a fear - of lightening strikes. His childhood story of why makes it understandable. But during a recent storm he found a distraction, an antidote; a Bunnahabhain from Single Malts of Scotland.
7x SMOS Reserve Cask Series
Broddy gathers seven bottles of SMOS Reserve Cask Small Batch releases in a single mega review. He justifies his scoring for each while dropping a bombshell of heresy about oatcakes.
Official vs Indy: The Singletons
Charlie continues his deep dive into new distilleries (to him), this time uncovering the two βGlensβ of Ord and βDullan, then comparing two Special releases to indies from James Eadie and the Thompson Bros.
Glen Garioch 12
Dougie discovers, for the first time, brown noise. He shares his thoughts. He also discovers, for the second time, Glen Garioch 12yo. He also shares his thoughts. And his photos? We hope youβre sitting down.
Lagavulin 8yo
Earie, like many of us, keeps Diageo on the naughty step until their insanely greedy and odd behaviours change. But gifts are gifts, so whatβs he missing out on? Lagavulin 8 in the glass this time.
Living Souls Trio
Even in far-flung California, Archie is landing decent indie bottlings. In a follow up to his Woodrows Foursome, we have a Living Souls Trio: Two Smoky Sevens and a Speyside, all crackers.
Glendronach 21yo
With a rare glimpse into Murdoβs 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.
Laphroaig Quarter Cask
Ogilvie and Charlie team up to tackle an omission in the Dramface archives; Laphroaigβs Quarter Cask. Recognising itβs reliable solidity, they use it to celebrate being smart about life & parenting.
Ardnamurchan The Midgie 2025
Introducing βMyrtleβ: 2025βs latest Ardnamurchan Midgie Release. This time using a few port casks, sheβs a charmer. Four of the team line up to introduce themselves. No repellent required.
Kamiki Intense Wood
Japanese whiskies are like buses, none and then two at once. Today Charlie picks up what we believe to be Japanese, but this Kamiki Blended Malt is not from oak.
Ardray Blended Scotch
Whisky quest at Singaporeβs Changi Airport.: The saleswoman leads Murdo down the Travel Retail isles and pulls out this Blended Scotch by Ardray. Is she a true whisky sage or a master of sales magic?
Glenallachie 9yo Amontillado
After Broddy's Sherrygeddon experience, he continues pull upon the Amontillado Sherry thread. This time its the limited Wood Collection Series from Glenallachie.
Scapa 10yo
Tav and Wally wade in together on a brand new Scapa. Now thereβs something we donβt read too often. This one is the affordable 10 year old, and they both agree on something. The fruit!
GlenAllachie 8yo
What a treat for a Friday; Dougie turns 40 with loved ones, a Glenallachie 8yo Scottish Oak and an Ardnamurchan 10yo that we'll need to bully him, or treat him, to hear more about.
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.
Aberlour Casg Annamh #1
Dougie takes stock, shares where he's at and shares every sealed bottle he owns that's about to be cracked and reviewed. He starts with Aberlour's Cask Annamh Batch 0001.
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.