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.
Crolly Irish Single Malt
Hamish has re-evaluated things and set himself some mindful goals. He thinks whisky could do well to consider the same. He gets contemplative with a bottle of brand new Crolly Irish Single Malt.
Teeling Douro Old Vines
Despite finding frustrations with transparency (that thing again) and general presentation, Earie is pretty pleased to find a flavoursome value bomb from Teeling in their Douro Old Vines Sommelier Selection.
Boann Marsala Cask
There aren’t many Irish whiskeys (or whiskies!) showing up in Murdo’s market, but he finds a Marsala Cask from Boann and pulls the trigger. Is it worth it? Is it any more transparent? Is it whisky or whiskey?
Waterford Good Vibrations
Sad to see the end of Waterford, Ainsley shares his personal ideas on where things went wrong. Ultimately, with the Good Vibrations Micro Cuvée in the glass, he thinks the ‘novelties’ wore off.
Ardara Irish Single Malt 2025
Once in a while along comes a flavour profile that stretches our frame of reference in whisky enjoyment. Enter Hughie and his astonishment over a bottle of Ardara Irish Single Malt. He’s intrigued.
Teeling Chardonnay Cask
Sometimes, it needn’t be particularly complex, just good enough to nicely accompany a box set and an evening on the sofa. Hamish tees up a Teeling Chardonnay and wonders why it’s a first for Dramface.
Clonakilty Single Pot Still Batch 1
Irish whisky and its reasons for being largely absent from the minds of team Dramface has been a recent theme. Earie continues it, but does so over a different take on Single Pot Still from Clonakilty.
Dunville’s Palo Cortado 10yo
Enjoying a cracking bottle of Dunville’s 10yo Palo Cortado has Hamish wondering why there isn’t more made of the rich whisky history in his homeland. Is it time for a Bushmills Belfast Experience?
Dingle 10yo Single Malt
Hamish has been waiting patiently for this milestone. As a fan of the ethics & approach of Dingle, he’s finally been rewarded with a ten year old Irish Single Malt. Does he love it?
Powers John’s Lane 12yo
Ramsay tackles an important aspect of Irish whiskey. Over a glass of Powers John’s Lane 12yo, he declares that the category worryingly possesses a distinct lack of transparency.
Cadenhead’s Cooley 1992 “11yo”
How can a 1992 Cooley, bottled in 2019, be 11yo? Well, it isn’t. To help us Innes shares his thoughts on not sharing, finding singular focus and stealing time alone, especially with his newborn son.
Shortcross Malt & Pot Still Duo
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.
Waterford All Smoke No Mirrors
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. ☘️
Writers’ Tears Copper Pot Edition
Exposed and laid bare, Ogilvie’s dwindling bottle collection is without a home, meaning he’s able to see and explore what would otherwise have been ignored, such as this Irish sleeper.
Two Stacks Dram in a Can
“Whisky in a can? Well, if it’s that or no whisky - gimme the can!” At first we worry Broddy has lost his mind, then we realise he’s Canadian, and turning his neighbourhood into a skate rink is normal. Let’s go.
Shortcross Rye & Malt Cask Strength
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.
Two Stacks Peated Stout Cask
A new Irish distiller doing transparency right. Oh, and the whiskeys are delicious!
Jameson Blended Irish Whiskey
A good way to peer into Irish whiskey that really won’t break the bank