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.

Hoping for the best, but fearing the worst, Archie picks up a high-volume bottle for the masses - a Kirkland Highland Malt Whisky 15yo at 46% . On the face of it great value. But, is it?

Wally and Charlie are at it again; wallowing in their gleeful states simply because their team have made the World Cup finals for the first time in a generation. The SV Ben Nevis Tartan Army release in the glass this time.

In a wonderfully candid and personal piece, Archie shares his transition into trusting independent bottlers and how he decided to start with Murray McDavid. It’s not what you might think.

Broddy gathers seven bottles of SMOS Reserve Cask Small Batch releases in a single mega review. He justifies his scoring for each while dropping a bombshell of heresy about oatcakes.

Facing the challenges of restraint, Mason tackles the inevitable fallout of over-accumulation. We can all relate. That said, it doesn’t stop him from buying a backup of this Thompson Bros Sutherland.

Charlie continues his deep dive into new distilleries (to him), this time uncovering the two ‘Glens’ of Ord and ‘Dullan, then comparing two Special releases to indies from James Eadie and the Thompson Bros.

On a trek, Archie is tempted into breaking his own rules when he uncovers a gem of a waterfall. It makes the prettiest of backdrops for a gem of a Balmenach from Living Souls.

A nostalgic look back in time with Broddy. As he sips an ancient and lost style of Loch Lomond, perhaps never intended to reach 30yo, he thinks back to how things were once made differently.

Earie uses some Big Words to describe reviewing decent, earnest whiskies in an independent way. This time it’s another flight of Dram Mòr releases from spring 2026. Including a sneaky malternative.

Heading out to the beach once more, Archie talks about why it’s important to take our time. These three from Woodrow’s of Edinburgh encompass that perfectly, from Ben Nevis, Ledaig and Campbeltown.

Something completely different and interesting - a Brazilian Independent Bottling of a Brazilian Malt. Hughie dives in to tackle wine casks and Lunatic Asylum’s ‘Only Ash Remains’ from Union.

Bowmore’s reputation has been sullied in recent years. Archie grabs a Douglas Laing Old Particular; one of the many new releases from indies. Can it complete an arc of redemption?

Murdo heads out into the rain to break a self-imposed bottle ban. So much for future indulgence space making. He’s weak. Aren’t we all? A Glendullan from Chorlton in the glass.

As well as sharing his thoughts on a selection of Decadent Drinks recent outturn, Ainsley also shares his thoughts on his latest visit to the Independent Spirits Festival in Leith.

As an advocate for bottle splits, Earie enjoys a souvenir from a pal - one of the Equinox & Solstice releases from Decadent Drinks - this time an under-the-radar Mannochmore.

Once in a while, Mason gets genuinely excited about a new whisky release. This is one of those moments - and it’s a blend. Although one with a young and very different take on things; Turntable’s Born to be Wild.

Archie shares his thoughts on the new Teuchter 17yo from Decadent Drinks, while admitting to getting down and dirty with his precious camera and the pursuit of better pictures.

Sometimes relationships take a little time. But when they gel, you need a back up. We’re speaking about whisky, and dogs, apparently. Broddy shares doggy tales over a 31yo North Star Sirius.