Nothing in life is free. Murdo has a think about this as he considers who is the ‘product’ in any of our modern whisky day transactions, while sharing another Linkwood banger from Signatory.

Murdo riffs off a recent Ainsley piece where he explored the concept of wax in whisky. After tracking down a bottle of Thompson Bros Dailuaine celebrated for ‘wax’, he feels ready to share.

While Innes gives a run through on some of the late 2024 Watt Whisky releases, Wally chimes in after catching the latest release from Blacksmith & Jones: a docuseries all about Indy Bottlers.

Refining his whisky-sights, a measured gamble on the ever-reliable Thompson Brothers connects Tav with a ‘teaspooned’ bottle he’d have to pay double for to grab the branded version.

It’s not like our Doog to forget his decorum, but a new year’s faux pas leaves him reeling with shame; has he become a whisky snob? He makes good with a Signatory 100 Proof Maybe-Macallan.

Innes gets giddy while visiting the hidden gem that is Glen Scotia. Full of the distillery-visit-glow, he snags two single casks to compare with a favourite at home, wondering why it’s still ‘hidden’.

With so much choice for enthusiasts to explore today, our canny - and occasionally miserly - Hamish is drawn to a bargain Thompson Bros Circumstance that has the airwaves chattering.

Betrayal; that of friends and family, but also the worst kind; that of distilleries! Drummond and Ainsley team up over some peaty Bunnahabhain Staoisha to discuss the fickle relationship.

Weekend sorted: exploring the idea you can't screw up a Caol Ila, Tav earns a gold star by lining up 5 indy bangers and comparing them all to the classic official 12yo.

It’s a Fletcher Friday. Upon encountering yet another entry into the indie bottler space; he considers if it’s even possible to bring anything truly ‘different’ today.

Ramsay and Fergus buddy up for a wander through the most recent outturn from Watt Whisky. Exploring a grain, a blend, two malts and a Guyana rum, they actually find some consensus!

In a whisky landscape swamped with ratcheted prices and disgruntled malt lovers, Fletcher uncorks what he believes just might be a brilliant antidote. Bravo Signatory Vintage, bravo.

Dougie, deliberately, seeks out the distillery that everyone has told him is terrible, he pulls the trigger on a bargain to discover “Jura is well worth the chase. Jura is magic whisky. Jura is hugely enjoyable and fun.” 😳

Dramface takes on a six bottle outturn from Watt Whisky, it’s a team effort. Two single malts, a blended malt, a blend, a single grain and a curious Bas Armagnac. No wonder the images are blurry.

It’s tricky to find a pour you’ll love when you’re out and about, as Ramsay discovers while he searches his hometown bars for something that’ll pique his curiosity. Cask strength Caol Ila(?) That’ll do nicely.

An experimental camper van trip around Scotland’s west coast affords Dougie the chance to get to know an excellent release from Ardnamurchan. It also affords us the chance to travel with him. Come for the score, get hooked by the words, stay for the images. Wow.

Since so many of them are still around, Tyree gives an overview, with his own take on Diageo’s annual Special Releases

Do we taste salt in whisky?

Five malts and a rum — for drinking

We check out the 7th batch of releases.