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.
Compass Box Flaming Heart
Broddy thinks back to 2023 when he was sure that it would be the year of the blends. Then, a price drop on Compass Box’s Flaming Heart takes him back farther still. A cracker that he won’t replace. Why?
Glenlossie 13yo Infrequent Flyers
A house visitor to Ogilvie’s gathering declares bourbon the only whisky. Some work needs to be done. An Infrequent Flyers Glenlossie and Ogilvie’s wife are the strategies employed to cure boorishness.
Caol Ila 8yo Tawny Port
In his debut piece, we get to know Kenzie a little through his quieter pursuits; walking on rainy days and meeting others who enjoy the same. In his flask today is a Tawny Port Cask Caol Ila from Murray McDavid.
Adelphi Summer 2026 Outturn
When times are tougher and the purse strings are pulled tighter on the whisky budget, Drummond is pleased to benefit a little from the Dramface Deflection System. Six from Adelphi in the hopper today!
Compass Box Nectarosity
In an attempt to get back to basics, Archie rekindles some fun in whisky with the assistance of the playful and bright fruit-punch from Compass Box: their Nectarosity release.
Official vs Indy: Benrinnes
Having never climbed Ben Rinnes, Charlie decides to clamber through three - make that four(ish) - expressions of the Benrinnes spirit to see what it’s all about. Official vs Indy once more!
Cut Your Wolf Loose Sextet
Six - yes six - from Cut Your Wolf Loose today. In a remarkably candid piece, our LA resident Archie reflects on a tumultuous professional path to date, all to explain his love for art - and independence.
Official vs Indy: Cardhu
Charlie continues his dive into official releases versus indies. In exploring Cardhu, he places two official bottles against a James Eadie - can we already guess which is best?
The Teuchter Batch 2: Clynelish 10yo
Purple flowers and cinnamon bears, Archie takes us on another hike through his local nature. This time, it’s a budget friendly Clynelish in the form of The Teuchter from Decadent Drinks.
Decadent Drinks June 2026 Outturn
Wally ‘forgets’ to forward on the set from Decadent Drams showcasing their June outturn. Luckily, there are some quite spectacular treats inside, including a 52yo Glen Garioch.
Official vs Indy: Royal Lochnagar
In another of Charlies series, he looks at the exact opposite of Diageo’s so-called ‘workhorse’ distilleries. This time it’s the tiny Royal Lochnagar, a rare thing indeed, and finding an indy proves tricky.
Fragrant Drops Duo
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.
Little Brown Dog Duo
Charlie manages to attend only the very last day of this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival, but still feels like it was very worth while - especially after picking up two Little Brown Dog bangers!
Mortlach 11yo Signatory 100º Proof
Sometimes, we don’t get exactly what we expect. That’s when an open mind and patience can deliver a decent experience regardless, as Earie and Fergie discover on this Signatory Mortlach.
Murray McDavid Duo
In a wonderfully candid and personal piece, Archie shares his transition into trusting independent bottlers and how he decided to start with Murray McDavid. It’s not what you might think.
7x SMOS Reserve Cask Series
Broddy gathers seven bottles of SMOS Reserve Cask Small Batch releases in a single mega review. He justifies his scoring for each while dropping a bombshell of heresy about oatcakes.
Official vs Indy: The Singletons
Charlie continues his deep dive into new distilleries (to him), this time uncovering the two ‘Glens’ of Ord and ‘Dullan, then comparing two Special releases to indies from James Eadie and the Thompson Bros.
Glendullan 23yo Chorlton The Rare Malt
Murdo heads out into the rain to break a self-imposed bottle ban. So much for future indulgence space making. He’s weak. Aren’t we all? A Glendullan from Chorlton in the glass.
Decadent Drinks April 2026
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.
Mannochmore 15yo Equinox & Solstice
As an advocate for bottle splits, Earie enjoys a souvenir from a pal - one of the Equinox & Solstice releases from Decadent Drinks - this time an under-the-radar Mannochmore.