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.
Jackton’s RAER Inaugural
Looking back on a plethora of inaugural bottlings from all these new distilleries in recent years has Gilbert realising it’s hard to keep up. This time it’s Jackton’s turn with their RAER Inaugural.
Glen Scotia Malts Festival 2026
None of us realised how tenacious Gilbert was, until he went all out to get the best out of his 2026 Malts Festival Glen Scotia; with a food and sip diary. Too much information? We say not enough!
Symington’s 10 Year Old
Some much needed positivity from Gilbert as he shares why he thinks Scotch whisky is coming home, using Symington’s 10yo Blended Scotch as the perfect example of why.
Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Series 2
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.
Ardnamurchan AD/
It’s cocktail Friday - a whisky review and a personal cocktail recipe from one of the team. Gilbert kicks off with a trip to the coast and his take on the Old Fashioned, with a coastal Ardnamurchan AD/ as the base.
Johnnie Walker Black Ruby
Gilbert adds another Johnnie Walker to the collection and asks ‘what’s in a name?’ A lot, apparently, especially when you’re trying really hard to find the right one.
Johnnie Walker Blue Label
A favourite Gilbert pastime is chasing blends. Reluctant to splash out on the “Ultimate” scotch blend, Gilbert borrows a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label and gives it a whirl for us all.
Deanston 18yo
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.
Turntable Track 06 All My Life
Gilbert confesses his music loves and realises music matches mood and moments; a lot like whisky. But does Turntable’s Track 06 - All My Life - live up to the grungie name? Wally chips in too.
Wee Broon Electric Coo 7yo
The ever-thoughtful Gilbert left one of these on a shelf, mindful of the greater enjoyment, only to regret it as this Little Brown Dog Campbeltown super-collab slowly disappears.
Lochlea Harvest Edition
In a buddy up review Gilbert and Ramsay enjoy this summery Lochlea Harvest 3rd Crop, while Ramsay asks; when it comes to young malt - is peat a cheat?
Kingsbarns Dream to Dram
Many of us operate on a budget; it can take a long time to get through our personal ‘wish-lists’. Sometimes, by the time we do, the whisky has gone, like Gilbert’s Kingsbarns Dream to Dram.
Ardnamurchan The Midgie
In celebrating their local wildlife, Ardnamurchan decided to fly with the Midgie. So despite bearing the name of Scotland’s most hated creature, it still proves popular as a swarm of us gather to review it.
Dalmore Cigar Malt
An occasional visit from Gilbert to ask us for our trust. He’s finding it difficult not to like a bottle that’s almost universally ignored, or even disliked. He digs beyond the tacky to work out why.
Hibiki Japanese Harmony
While confessing to some obsessions when it comes to things of a Japanese origin, Gilbert is puzzled as to why it’s taken him five years to get through a bottle of Nikka’s Hibiki Harmony
Cotswolds Founder’s Choice
Before submitting a long-awaited article, Gilbert ponders all the excuses he might have for not being as productive as he’d like. Just like the rest of us then. Cask strength Cotswolds English whisky helps though.
Lagavulin 16yo
With four separate Dramface appraisals, we uncover why this Lagavulin 16yo has been such a powerful ambassador for whisky, and the reasons why that can no longer be.
Springbank 15yo Collective Review
A Dramface Collective Mega-review, an ode to the Springbank 15yo
Amazon’s Tovess Islay Single Malt
Gilbert can’t resist a bargain, especially an Islay single malt for next to nothing
