Reading this would make you consider we have a recruitment academy. We don’t, but it’s nice to see enthusiastic learning, such as both Dramface & Ardnahoe Cask Strength inspiring our Archie.

Fletcher leans hard to compare indy bottling to music covers, but he has a point. He feels it’s nicer when the song is a legitimate original creation, like this Bittersweet Symphony from Turntable.

A new year, a new writer. Debutant Archie sips from Long Beach California and for his first Dramface piece he went for four from Woodrow’s. A Balvenie, Laphroaig, Dailuaine and an Ardna. Nice.

It’s Dougie’s turn to step up with a box of the latest outturn from Decadent Drinks. Like this weekend deep-dive read, it’s no small undertaking. But it starts with an Ardnamurchan, so he’s in…

Ally’s already decided he’s won’t make any resolutions for 2026; last year’s didn’t work out as planned. He found his deep dive into wine woefully restrictive. He makes up for it with a 10yo Hazelburn.

Predicted to be a huge hoit, Ardnamurchan released their first small batch, larger outturn Golden Promise release. All from ex-bourbon barrels. Drummond heads a collaborative of four reviewers.

Ogilvie finds himself in a funk. His family notice it too. What else is there to do but crack a Thompson Bros Mystery Malt Series 3 and head to the back porch. Contemplative therapy time. Ogilvie style.

In discovering a cracking SMWS Loch Lomond Inchmurrin, Broddy goes full Broddy and gives us a deep dive into our scoring, the whys and the whats and the hows. It’s fascinating.

After Dougie’s whirlwind November, he finally has time to sit with his Fragrant Drops 13yo Glen Garioch. Since it’s rainy, he also uncorks his all-time Geery pinnacle bottle for a side-by-side.

As a stickler for justice, Fletcher gives a shout out to the 200 years old Edradour. As he sips this new, all natural 10yo, he wonders what would’ve happened if it hadn’t been saved.

Wally returns to ask why there are so many silly protectionist rules around stating where a whisky is made - and to who’s detriment when it’s so. He does so over a rather lovely Living Souls 19yo ‘Kildalton’.

Admitting one of his favourite Scottish destinations, Charlie laments not having visited Torabhaig, yet. However, he travels vicariously through an official and an indy from Thompson Bros.

Staring at ever more sagging and creaking shelves, Drummond admits he’s been on something of a bottle ban in 2025. But it does allow him to crack some long saved charmers, like this Bunnahabhain 18yo.

Having only heard of Teaninich, Charlie tracks down a bottle. Then a remarkable dram forces a bottle hunt. Before he knows it, Charlie finds himself quite happily in the Teaninich rabbit hole.

That tricky third album. It’s the third release of the Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Series and Hamish grabs another unknown bottle. As does Dramface journeyman Jackie, for his debut!

Even early in his exploration, Mason has accumulated bottles to tuck away for ‘a special occasion’. Then recent news came along and upended things. Time to crack this 6yo Ardnahoe.

In recent times Ramsay has started to shift his relationship with whisky - specifically his buying habits. But some things still force a joyful trigger-pull, such as a new Distillery Edition Loch Lomond.

In a short and punchy love letter to whisky and its shared moments of joy, Charlie offers up his find of 2025 - a Bruichladdich 15 year old from a bourbon barrel and a new indie - Ferguson Whisky.

Enjoying a cracking bottle of Dunville’s 10yo Palo Cortado has Hamish wondering why there isn’t more made of the rich whisky history in his homeland. Is it time for a Bushmills Belfast Experience?

Ogilvie senses impostor syndrome. But he’s made of strong stuff and plods on regardless, doing a great job of sharing his thoughts on the September outturn from Decadent Drams for us all.