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.
Bowmore Devil’s Cask
Times are tough in whisky, unless you’re buying the stuff. Charlie makes a rare move by purchasing an officially bottled Bowmore - the return of the Devil’s Cask release for 2026 that tempts him in.
Thompson Bros Mystery Malt Series 6 x2
This time around it’s Charlie’s turn to armour up and attempt a game of whisky guesswork. It’s the Thompson Brothers’ Mystery Malts Series 6 in the glass this time - two of them. How does our Chic do?
Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt x2
It’s Wally’s turn to tackle a brace of the formidable Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Series 6. As usual, he dives in completely blind, but this time he’s confident. Is it misplaced?
Islay Connection 10yo
Archie takes us back to his life as a musician as he reflects on the pre-digital era and missed connections. He’s helped along by a Connections release from North Star Spirits, this time the Islay edition.
Bowmore 10yo Old Particular
Bowmore’s reputation has been sullied in recent years. Archie grabs a Douglas Laing Old Particular; one of the many new releases from indies. Can it complete an arc of redemption?
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.
Bowmore 15yo New vs Old
After being challenged with a blind pour, Broddy gives the much misaligned Bowmore 15yo another chance. After gaining a reputation of being poorly handled in official bottles, this could be a rare uptick.
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.
Ardray Blended Scotch
Whisky quest at Singapore’s 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?
Bowmore 17yo SMWS 3.336
Every now and then Tyree is prone to rant. We all are. Every now and then he says pretty much what we all feel too. What’s the rant? It’s the cost of it. Of course it is.
Elements of Islay
In the face of rising prices for Islay brands Tyree considers a trio of Elements of Islay blended malts from Elixir Distillers. Initially not expecting very much, he ends up pretty impressed.
WhiskySponge Mortlach, Bowmore & Ardmore
As Elis gets to spend a little time with three “try before you buy” banger WhiskySponge releases, he’s prompted to cover the topic of trust and how it’s implicit in everything that works.
Elements of Islay Bowmore Bw8
A Bowmore bromance, virtual bars & the power of whisky simpatico await.
Bowmore Tempest 10yo / Dorus Mor
A quality natural expression from an oft dismissed distillery
