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.
Tomatin 11yo Woodrow’s of Edinburgh
Always on the lookout for new flavour experiences, Fletcher visits a Woodrow’s Tomatin bringing buckets of coconut - which happens to be right up his street. Just like the perfect lasagne.
Glasgow 1770 7yo Port Cask Finish
Commenting on something of a modern phenomenon, Fletcher considers the official outlets that do their own ‘indie’ bottlings. A perfect example is Glasgow and their Port Cask 7yo.
Glen Scotia 18yo Single Cask
Fletch remains distracted by other projects, but he’s had such a moment with a Glen Scotia special that he’s had to stop and check in, just to share the joy of what a special whisky can do.
Leopold Bros 8yo
Sad he no longer travels the US like he once did, Fletch is grateful once more for the sharing and caring of the whisky community. Especially the mules. A Leopold 8yo bourbon in the glass.
Annandale Man O’Swords Fino Cask
After nearly smashing this bottle of Annandale before the photo shoot, Fletcher recalls the times he’s lost whiskies through packing fails and baggage handling fails. He also wants to know why this malt is such a positioning fail.
Turntable Bittersweet Symphony
Fletcher leans hard to compare indy bottling to music covers, but he has a point. He feels it’s nicer when the song is a legitimate original creation, like this Bittersweet Symphony from Turntable.
Not Another F*cking Whisky Book
A wee weekend bonus. Fletcher shares a recent ‘whisky-themed’ book that resonated. A story of two decades serving the global whisky industry as a brand ambassador by Mitch Bechard
Glen Scotia 12yo Icon of Campbeltown No.3
In picking up the Glen Scotia Latest Icons release, Fletcher chooses to offer a shout-out to the faces behind the brands; those hard-working, tireless ambassadors that we all benefit from.
Edradour 10yo 200th Anniversary
As a stickler for justice, Fletcher gives a shout out to the 200 years old Edradour. As he sips this new, all natural 10yo, he wonders what would’ve happened if it hadn’t been saved.
Kingsbarns 10yo
A mid-life crisis may be looming, but it gives Fletch the inspiration to return to some serious whisky sharing. So, does this brand-new Kingsbarns 10yo inspire him to get some pals over?
Glengoyne 10yo
Faced with a bargain, Fletch returns to a bottle he’s not touched in years. Noticing just how much the prices of supermarket whiskies are being crunched, he picks up Glengoyne’s 10yo to consider why.
Glasgow 1770 Pineau Des Charentes
Some whiskies split the crowd. At Dramface, we have the luxury of occasionally being able to harness that. Like this Glasgow 1770 Pineau Des Charentes. Is Fletch’s bonfire Hughie’s damp campfire?
Cadenhead’s Ord 19yo Oloroso
Fletcher is certain he doesn’t suffer from FOMO. He doesn’t have floors and shelves covered in bottles and he doesn’t always pick up at least one bottle when out and about. Like this Cadenhead’s Ord he couldn’t pass up.
Milk & Honey Apex Dead Sea
Over a glass of whisky that could well suffer the highest angel’s share anywhere - Milk & Honey’s Dead Sea - Fletcher reflects and reminds himself it’s always about the regular people.
Indy Ledaig Quintet
Fletcher uses a quintet of quite different, independently released Ledaig expressions to try to fathom how Signatory Vintage arrived at its pricing for a recent Cask Strength 17yo single cask.
Mannochmore 12yo
Never backward about coming forward, Fletcher shares his take on IBs, a popular 100º series as well as Woodrow’s recent reaction to it. All while savouring a cracking James Eadie Mannochmore.
Johnnie Walker Black vs Modern Blends
Reflecting on the rise of modern blends; Fletcher thinks about the incidental rise of the amateur blender, and tries a few of these newer products up against the benchmark; Johnnie Black 12yo.
Ferg & Harris Speyside 12yo
It’s a Fletcher Friday. Upon encountering yet another entry into the indie bottler space; he considers if it’s even possible to bring anything truly ‘different’ today.
Borders Distillery Malt & Rye
Upon discovering Borders’ under-the-radar inaugural release for £35, Fletch gets excited, but is immediately disappointed and takes a moment to offer some ‘feedback’. Oh dear.
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.