Times are tough in whisky, unless you’re buying the stuff. Charlie makes a rare move by purchasing an officially bottled Bowmore - the return of the Devil’s Cask release for 2026 that tempts him in.

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.

After travelling with a only few select picks, Charlie quickly became frustrated that he didn’t have his usual selection. He realises he needs the thrill of choice. Clydeside’s brand new 8yo in the glass. Wally joins in too.

This time around it’s Charlie’s turn to armour up and attempt a game of whisky guesswork. It’s the Thompson Brothers’ Mystery Malts Series 6 in the glass this time - two of them. How does our Chic do?

As Dramface slows to its summer cadence, Archie reflects on the perspectives afforded to us via a slower pace to things. He chooses a bruiser of a Loch Lomond Croftengea to help.

In his continued pursuit of everything he’s not yet tried, Charlie lands upon Glentauchers. In the absence of an interesting - or available - official release, he compares two indies from auction.

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?

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.

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.

In the first of his series of “Official vs Indy” reviews, Charlie tees up one of our most evocative comparisons: Clynelish. The question is, will he uncover any of the W-word?

Archie happens upon a ‘distillery’ he’s never heard of. This ‘Shieldaig’ turns out to be a branded malt, which is fine. It has a purpose. Just like Dramface, which he also wants to discuss a little.

We all hit forks in life’s road. Archie shares one of his. Eventually decisions lead us to other, unplanned opportunities. Like when a bottle he was chasing escaped and made him pick up a peach of an Edradour.

The second Ardnahoe in two weeks at Dramface. Maybe it’s going to be another good year for Islay’s newest malt. Charlie evaluates the Skerryvore XX special limited edition from 2025.

Fletcher leans hard to compare indy bottling to music covers, but he has a point. He feels it’s nicer when the song is a legitimate original creation, like this Bittersweet Symphony from Turntable.

As a stickler for justice, Fletcher gives a shout out to the 200 years old Edradour. As he sips this new, all natural 10yo, he wonders what would’ve happened if it hadn’t been saved.

After finally hooking up with some fellow Dramface pals in Glasgow, Ogilvie has to confess a feeling of giddiness. He cracks a Glasgow Distillery souvenir to help recall how great it was to render things real.

Hamish is drawn to comparing Lochlea’s new Dark Briar to the similar sherry-cask Fallow Edition. In doing so he starts to wonder how the concept of a ‘core range’ ever came about in malt whisky.

When it comes to Springbank the spectre of visceral FOMO is never far away. However, Ramsay has been a little more fortunate recently and shares his thoughts on two recent ‘wins’.

Covering four Ardnamurchans in one sitting, Dougie eventually discovers something he’s been searching for in whisky - that mysterious ‘effervescence’. Perfect that it comes from his beloved Ardna.

In picking up a Distillery Exclusive from Glasgow Distillery to mark it’s new tour offering, Wally asks why so many other exclusives are so expensive for pilgrims buying direct from the source.