We take a break from our summer, erm, break, to bring an epic team Dramface pile-on for the Thompson Brothers’ Mystery Malt Series No.2. Let’s see if we all pay attention to the try-it-blind memo this time.

A shipping miscommuniqué sees various Dramface team members end up with whisky they didn’t expect. This time it’s Glasgow’s 1770 Constantia and it means three can join in on the review.

Over the years, Earie has taught himself what he likes and likes less. But with a dearth of Signatory Vintage’s 100º Proof Series in Belgium, he picks up a North British 15yo grain, and learns a lesson.

After preaching about his resolutions to become a little more ‘scrutinous’ about purchases, an auction offers up a Gold Cock Czech whisky and Earie can’t resist a punt. How did that work out?

Being honest with himself, Earie accepts that he’s paying more per bottle today than ever. Where will this pattern go & did a splurge on this Douglas Laing 18yo Bunnahabhain work out well?

Spoiler: As Earie sings high praises for Springbank’s wonderfully alluring 10yo, he has to admit that it was not love at first sight. He wonders if there’s such a thing as a whisky that’s not for beginners?

Through an auction win, Earie is sucked into the fascinating history and story behind the great Silvano Samaroli, as he realises just how influential he was in the scotch story.

Perhaps with St Valentine’s Day on his mind, Earie wonders what makes us fall in love with certain distilleries. He decides it’s less faff, more flavour and more indies. Some other stuff too.

Whisky brings solace and escapism in challenging times. After some fatigue, Earie finds his love of whisky geekery sparked once more. A very good indie Islay from Elixir’s Elements helps out.

After being assured by his own previous experiences, Earie never really believed in the positivity behind Arran’s 10yo. Believing it was hyped, he finally relented. Here’s his take.

Breaking his bottle ban (he can’t help himself, we can all relate) Earie picks up a rarely-spotted peat and sherry Bladnoch. Was it worth the potential wrath of his significant other?

Earie has a think about the annual Online Scotch Whisky Awards, premiumisation and why he can only enjoy a delicious Glenrothes through an indie.

Over a pleasant but discontinued Glenfiddich 15yo, Earie makes a plea to William Grant's over the lack of decent releases, but really he could be speaking to so many legacy brands in this piece.

Feeling very grateful that he was able to find stock of Kilkerran’s latest 8yo Cask Strength, Earie celebrates the many retailers that choose to stick to MSRP, and what that actually means.

Faced with a dearth of enthusiasts local to him, Earie surprises himself as he decides to engage with another enthusiast browsing the same shelves which provided the great Benrinnes.

Free stuff isn’t common on Dramface; each writer usually buys their own whisky. So when Earie sifts through an entire outturn via Dràm Mòr provided samples, he takes a moment to justify it.

There’s not only some whisky and casks up for sale, but an entire distillery too. It’s been making malt for 20 years and there’s little interest. Ainsley and Earie investigate.

Another continental buddy up today as Earie and Ainsley pour over a trio of different takes on Ardmore while considering the pitfalls of brand loyalty.

A buddy up review on Armorik, a French single malt with a considerable age-statement and, it would seem, a considerably impressive offering. Earie and Ainsley see what France is offering these days.

In order to stave off the dreaded malt-fatigue and keep things fresh and exciting, Earie has found the perfect strategy, and a banger of a whisky too; Millstone’s Rye 10yo.