It’s a popular bottle, the Longrow 18. So much so, it generates one of our famous Dramface pile-ons, with Earie, Mike, Drummond and Murdo all reviewing their own annual editions. Perfect.

Despite finding frustrations with transparency (that thing again) and general presentation, Earie is pretty pleased to find a flavoursome value bomb from Teeling in their Douro Old Vines Sommelier Selection.

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.

Browsing an auction, Earie spots something that has completely passed him by - an all-natural OB Jura, at cask strength. He’s left to wonder whether they were shy about it or was it that he just wasn’t looking hard enough?

Irish whisky and its reasons for being largely absent from the minds of team Dramface has been a recent theme. Earie continues it, but does so over a different take on Single Pot Still from Clonakilty.

Earie admits he’s become something of a fanboy of the oh-so-recently unheard of Piccadilly single malt releases. This time it’s a peated affair in the shape of the Indri Agneya.

More thrills and successes on unicorn hunts. Earie sets his sights on Springbank and, somewhat fortunately, lands a 15 year old in the crosshairs. Is it really coming back to us? Even Springbank?

Earie is selective when it comes to pals. He likes to hang on to the good ones. like those who’ll pick up a bottle of Loch Lomond Remarkable Alchemy while heading through an airport.

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.