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.

Mason spots an omission in the Dramface archives - there’s never been a review of the Deanston 12yo! In shock, a few of the team pile on to make reparations. Is it still as good as it always was?

You’ve asked we do more of these, despite samples being a hot topic at Dramface. Well this time it’s sample-debutant Charlie’s turn with a set of minis from the Decadent Drinks June outturn. How will he get on?

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?

Broddy spots a tall bottle with appealing specs; 16 years and all ex-bourbon. He’s in. Glenmorangie too. Expecting an amplified 12yo, he’s left, not for the first time, rueing unmet expectations.

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.

The plastic stag of Dalmore 18yo is in the crosshairs as Charlie revisits an old friend, one from a time before he was sullied by ‘informed’ opinions, community ‘consensus’ and, well, possibly much better whiskies.

Charlie finds himself on an exploratory road to uncover teaspoon mysteries. With an immensely distracting Westport from Good Spirits Co. he’s transported to traversing Scotland’s famous Bealach na Bà.

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.

Introducing ‘Myrtle’: 2025’s latest Ardnamurchan Midgie Release. This time using a few port casks, she’s a charmer. Four of the team line up to introduce themselves. No repellent required.

Doog tops up an online order with something he’s never tried before, and this Murray McDavid Strathdearn (Tomatin) serendipitously opens up a conversation to reveal a ‘secret’ about its presentation.

Something of a late arrival, but it would seem that’s how long these things take, especially for those of us further away from the source. Folks like Broddy, and his distance from this 2024 Sherry Cask Ardnamurchan.

Something got in the way of Doog’s enjoyment of what’s become ‘his whisky’. Fortunately for all, he worked out what it was, and faced it down. He bring us a MacLean & Bruce 5yo Ardnamurchan to share all.

Today Murdo reveals his milestone epiphanies and, specifically, how they led to appreciating more spirit-forward drams such as the classic Glencadam 15yo. Calder chips in from Oz too.

The last of Ogilvie’s auction spoils has him happy. A venture into a new take on a familiar style; a 1st fill French Limousin oak and a single cask Loch Lomond Open Edition from 2020.

While in Scotland & lamenting the things he can’t easily get a hold of, Ainsley strikes a deal. In return for oor Jackie sourcing him some of this tasty Loch Lomond Distillery Edition 6, he offers a swap.

Necessity is the mother of invention. As Ogilvie’s strict local liquor laws continue to frustrate, he finds different routes to keeping his exploration alive. This time with a Pot Still Birthday Blair Athol.

Wally decides it’s his turn to try some outturn samples. This time it’s the Decadent Drinks Decadent Drams/Whiskyland April 2025 line up of Spirit of Yorkshire, Inchmurrin, Miltonduff & Imperial.

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?

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.