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.

It turns out Fergie has a fear - of lightening strikes. His childhood story of why makes it understandable. But during a recent storm he found a distraction, an antidote; a Bunnahabhain from Single Malts of Scotland.

In whisky, when is a finish not a finish? Fergie tackles a recent Small Batch form Glasgow and asks when it’s actually more like a secondary maturation. The 6yo Amarone ‘finish’ is in the glass.

The rise of NAS arguably came about due to cost, stock and price. But 2026 is different times. Fergus is as relaxed about the price prospects ahead, while enjoying a NAS classic from Glen Scotia.

Fergus tries Glasgow malt at Glasgow whisky festival, only to ask it to live up to the experience when he has it back home. He also makes some observations about openness and transparency, and the humility of cities.

Lamenting the disconnect between the whisky that’s made and the whisky that’s sold, Fergus discovers that - once more - it’s the indies that have our backs. A Signatory Vintage Longmorn is in the glass.

Fergie wonders about his whisky personality; is he a hoarder, a collector or a rabbit-holer? A gifted whisky map from his dad confirms the latter and this Cadenhead’s Glenburgie offers up another.

Fergus reflects on the solidifying of his whisky exploration through trips and sharing, but also the understanding of new concepts, such as independent bottling, like this month’s Decadent Drinks outturn.

Keeping special bottles for occasions that warrant them can become an unnecessary burden on the whisky. Fergus shares a moment where some precious vintage Balblair could be set free.

A summer penchant for craft beers led Fergus astray. He was tempted into buying himself a Diageo SR from 2022 based on a heavy discount. No one’s immune to a bargain. How did it work out?

Is it snobbery to suggest cask-driven flavour isn’t desirable? Or to mention that some whiskies are ‘engineered’? Fergus tracks down a Signatory Glenlivet that is a no-holds-barred unapologetic sherry bomb.

What do you take on holiday? Upon arrival in stormy Cornwall, Fergus thinks he might’ve brought the perfect Ardmore. Then the sun appears. Does it spoil things?

Fergus makes a case for the occasional entry-level bottle. Accepting his penchant for natural ‘enthusiast’ whiskies he find a comforting spot for an Aberlour 12 Double Cask, while watching 80’s movies, preferably.

Fergie evaluates the risks in paying considerably more for small-scale ‘artisanal’ products. In doing so he compares a recently acquired Daftmill to his beloved custom-made Dobro.

An annual treat for Fergie is to splash out on an indulgent treat. Despite a previous false start, he chose Deanston and their 18yo. What did he discover? It’s a Dramface pile on.

9/10 klaxon: As an Englishman paying little attention to English whisky, Fergus was surprised when a friend encouraged him to try Whittaker’s First Release. Yet it might just be his WOTY for 2024.

Glasgow has been generous with their whisky recently. And fearless; since they ship to anonymous writer without obligation. Is this confidence? Fergus, Hamish and Drummond dig in.

Adding to their Small Batch series, cult upstart Glasgow have found traction with Cask Strength 1770 releases. Hamish, Fergus and Tav buddy up on the latest Peated PX.

Nostalgic about his formative whisky days exploring supermarkets, Fergus arrives at the official 15yo Dalwhinnie. As a geek today, while he appreciates its value, we know where he goes from there…

Bristol is one of Europe’s culture capitals. Today, it also has a distillery who are determined to do things wildly different. Fergus gambles on an Organic Single Grain and cashes in on flavour.