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.
Cadenhead’s Seven Stars
Broddy exposes everything anyone could want to know about Dramface scoring. In amongst the deep-dive, he shares a hidden gem of a blend, the OSWA nominated Cadenhead’s 7 Stars.
Cadenhead’s Ledaig 14yo & WLP 2025
After a mini-gathering at Whisky Live Paris, Hughie and Ainsley buddy up for a short resumé of events over a Cadenhead’s Ledaig 14yo, as well as a campaign for us all to join them in Paris in future.
Cadenhead’s Glen Grant 21yo
Ainsley rejoices in the friends and like-minded companionship can bring, yet selects a special and mature Cadenhead’s Glen Grant to put forward the case for sipping, contemplatively, alone.
Ardnamurchan Quartet
Covering four Ardnamurchans in one sitting, Dougie eventually discovers something he’s been searching for in whisky - that mysterious ‘effervescence’. Perfect that it comes from his beloved Ardna.
Kilkerran 13yo Cadenhead’s
Having learned from experience, Hughie checks himself when he realises he may be taking whisky, and its analysis, a little too seriously. The antidote? A Cadenhead’s Kilkerran 13yo thank you very much.
Cadenhead’s Blending Lab 2025
Dramface returns from the summer break with tales from Campbeltown and Dougie’s Whisky Dash 2025. This one reads like a tour of the town itself, with Doog reviewing his own creation.
Spirit of Yorkshire 6yo Madeira
Doog’s annual sailing trips to Campbeltown with his sidekick Foosty have taken on different flavours of adventure every time. He shares part 1 at Cadenhead’s & a Spirit of Yorkshire that, in itself, takes him on a journey.
Balmenach Indy Quartet
Hamish has fallen down a Balmenach rabbit hole, which means he’s discovered a worm tub rabbit hole. Today, he shares four malts in a vertical line up looking into what the worm tub might be about.
Linkwood-Glenlivet 1987
Did our challenging times during Lockdown actually offer us a few silver linings? Murdo offers a few possible examples which endure for him today, including discovering this knockout Cadenhead’s Linkwood.
Cadenhead’s Outturn
Cadenhead’s Original Collection and the Enigma Blends are perhaps the most likely of their releases to be found in the wider marketplace. Ainsley dives in to an entire outturn.
Cadenhead’s Cooley 1992 “11yo”
How can a 1992 Cooley, bottled in 2019, be 11yo? Well, it isn’t. To help us Innes shares his thoughts on not sharing, finding singular focus and stealing time alone, especially with his newborn son.
Auchentoshan Duo
In another Dramface Friday First, we’re introduced to Innes, who has a soft spot for Auchentoshan, but not without quibble. Here he compares two. They’re indies. Of course they are.
Glen Ord Young vs Old
Ainsley brings a Glen Ord banger to a 90+ points whisky night and ends up contemplating what’s different about ‘older’ whiskies that are, in whisky terms, actually pretty young.
Linkwood 1990s Duo
Our Linkwood exploration continues, this time heading back to the 1990s with a Signatory and a Cadenhead’s head-to-head, which also gives Ainsley pause to consider the role of ABV.
MacNairs 21yo v Enigma 25yo
Fed up with grey days and bad news, Fletcher cracks open two well-aged blends on a budget to see if they can bring a little lightness. A Glenallachie made NacNair’s 21yo vs a Cadenhead’s 25yo.
Jura 13yo Manzanilla
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.” 😳
Glen Garioch - 11yo Independents
As part of a ‘team building exercise’ Hamish is invited to stretch his olfactory senses in a structured test. His colleagues - knowing he’s a whisky reviewer - determine that he’ll “boss it”. Well, did he? You know the answer…dontcha?
Cadenhead’s Bunnahabhain 9yo
Dire world events draw dark clouds over Ogilvie’s visit to England, yet he find calming solace in whisky environments; light filling the dark. He also happens upon some Springbank and a stop-and-stare Bunnahabhain from Cadenhead’s.
Cadenhead’s Creations Blending Lab
Blending whisky is a genuine art form that demands maximum respect. Dougie signed up to try a session himself in Campbeltown. From lunch to jelly legs, he takes us vividly along.
