Faced with a sea of repetitive, dull, expensive and uninspired Irish whiskey releases, a frustrated Hamish searches for a spark of inspiration to celebrate St Patrick’s and beyond.

After some epiphany moments sipping Lochlea with pals, Hamish charges out to buy a bottle, only to ponder whether it’s the whisky or the company that makes the best whisky memories.

Finally snagging himself an Old Forester 1920, Hamish wonders why there aren’t more nods to the past in today’s whisky making excitement. As he ponders, he dives into his Glencairn time machine and skips back 100 years to US Prohibition time.

Our resident Irishman Hamish takes a St Patrick’s Day tour through Waterford’s Exploration Series peated tasting set, and finds enough of a surprise to think Irish peated is under-appreciated. ☘️

Dramface takes on a six bottle outturn from Watt Whisky, it’s a team effort. Two single malts, a blended malt, a blend, a single grain and a curious Bas Armagnac. No wonder the images are blurry.

Finding independent bottlers slightly intimidating at first, Hamish get’s hooked on Linkwood during a whisky trip and discovers indy Linkwoods online, at auction and everywhere.

A team review is required around a new take on Elixir’s Port Askaig series and their first Cask Strength Small Batch. Wally leads with a deep dive into why we’re not drinking enough. Apparently.

As part of a ‘team building exercise’ Hamish is invited to stretch his olfactory senses in a structured test. His colleagues - knowing he’s a whisky reviewer - determine that he’ll “boss it”. Well, did he? You know the answer…dontcha?

The appeal of a lesser-seen and budget Islay official single malt is too much for Hamish to resist. His experience of Kilchoman’s core ranges has him excited, but the Loch Gruinart leaves him wanting.

Shuffling through airports is a thing once more for Hamish. At travel retail, he dodges the aisles of Scotch and Irish dullness to plump for some bourbon exploration - in litre bottles.

What at first seemed like an expensive souvenir from a distillery visit required a bottle split between Archie and Hamish. They soon realise with 66% ABV and incredible depth of flavour they should’ve maybe grabbed one each.

Mindful of taking time out for the little things such as a nice dram, but for also the bigger things in life like looking after ourselves, Hamish sinks into the 2012 Bere Barley edition from Bruichladdich.

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.

Hamish collects a couple of auction picks and worries he’s been scammed.

A Dramface Collective Mega-review, an ode to the Springbank 15yo

Full of goodness. Fruit forward and utterly delightful.

The community builds to salve your fear of missing out

How long can we rely on the supply of good quality American oak casks?

Another banger from Dingle with a fresh & fruit forward finish

Nice bottle, nice nose, mediocre palate