The 2026 Paul Launois release from Ardnamurchan inspires a Dramface collab. Four of our writers gather at its side to ponder the trajectory of one of the coolest annual releases in whisky.

Retailers, apparently, are important. That is, if they’re good. Ex-retailer Ainsley explains why there’s more to it than budget-and done. He shares a Thompson Bros Good Spirits Co. Highland Malt to illustrate.

As Dramface slows to its summer cadence, Archie reflects on the perspectives afforded to us via a slower pace to things. He chooses a bruiser of a Loch Lomond Croftengea to help.

North America hosts the World Cup and the USA finds itself once more distracted by this odd sport that fascinates the rest of planet Earth. CA based Archie drinks it all in with two recent bottles from Fragrant Drops.

Charlie and Wally are nervous. Scotland appear at their first World Cup finals since 1998 this weekend. Will Clydeside’s unofficial/official distillery limited edition release be the one to pour if there’s something to celebrate?

Earie uses some Big Words to describe reviewing decent, earnest whiskies in an independent way. This time it’s another flight of Dram Mòr releases from spring 2026. Including a sneaky malternative.

As well as sharing his thoughts on a selection of Decadent Drinks recent outturn, Ainsley also shares his thoughts on his latest visit to the Independent Spirits Festival in Leith.

Sad he no longer travels the US like he once did, Fletch is grateful once more for the sharing and caring of the whisky community. Especially the mules. A Leopold 8yo bourbon in the glass.

Dougie’s been away. Inventing & shaping that which is meant to last forever. It takes another barnstormer from Ardnamurchan to bring him back under the enthralment of that which is deliberately transient.

Earie, like many of us, keeps Diageo on the naughty step until their insanely greedy and odd behaviours change. But gifts are gifts, so what’s he missing out on? Lagavulin 8 in the glass this time.

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.

Fergus tries Glasgow malt at Glasgow whisky festival, only to ask it to live up to the experience when he has it back home. He also makes some observations about openness and transparency, and the humility of cities.

When it comes to Springbank the spectre of visceral FOMO is never far away. However, Ramsay has been a little more fortunate recently and shares his thoughts on two recent ‘wins’.

Wally sets aside a day to sit with a line up of Decadent Drinks releases. He uncovers some show stoppers and - remarkably - he can even afford one of them.

Hughie reignites an old flame - Kilchoman. Specifically their 100% Islay release. Despite the ‘monogamy’ of a single distillery and even a single expression, he still manages a little promiscuity by enjoying three at once.

While in Scotland & lamenting the things he can’t easily get a hold of, Ainsley strikes a deal. In return for oor Jackie sourcing him some of this tasty Loch Lomond Distillery Edition 6, he offers a swap.

What do you take on holiday? Upon arrival in stormy Cornwall, Fergus thinks he might’ve brought the perfect Ardmore. Then the sun appears. Does it spoil things?

At first Ainsley wasn’t too enamoured with the ‘hype’ around Springbank’s Local Barley releases. It took 2025’s 8yo with heritage grain to switch all the lights on. It’s finally found him.

After something of an unintended hiatus, Drummond figures out it’s just where he’s at - no longer feeling the need to chase. Instead of FOMO, he’s embracing JOMO - and four cracking Kilkerrans.

Wally manages to comfortably pick up a bottle of the latest Kilkerran Cask Strength; in ex-bourbs too. But what’s this? Does he actually miss the madness of the old bottle-chasing days?