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.
Good Spirits Co. 8yo North Highland
Retailers, apparently, are important. That is, if they’re good. Ex-retailer Ainsley explains why there’s more to it than budget-and done. He shares a Thompson Bros Good Spirits Co. Highland Malt to illustrate.
Glen Scotia 18yo Single Cask
Fletch remains distracted by other projects, but he’s had such a moment with a Glen Scotia special that he’s had to stop and check in, just to share the joy of what a special whisky can do.
Croftengea 8yo Red Cask
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.
Glentauchers Duo
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.
Thompson Bros TB/BSW The Final Release
Archie takes a trip into some stunning landscape to appreciate what he has: friends and close family in a stunning landscape. He then joins Wally to celebrate a whisky that we, for now, still have.
Decadent Drinks June 2026 Outturn
Wally ‘forgets’ to forward on the set from Decadent Drams showcasing their June outturn. Luckily, there are some quite spectacular treats inside, including a 52yo Glen Garioch.
Ben Nevis Duo
After ignoring a distillery he once thought had long closed, Charlie dives in to a duo comparison on Ben Nevis. Both from Decadent Drinks, both 12yo - sherry vs bourbon. Fight!
Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt x2
It’s Wally’s turn to tackle a brace of the formidable Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Series 6. As usual, he dives in completely blind, but this time he’s confident. Is it misplaced?
Strathenry 6yo - Inchdairnie
One of the team has been MIA in recent times, we discover why as life pops up with an unexpected curveball. He shares over a bottle of Strathenry from the Fragrant Drops affordable ‘Elevenses’ series.
Official vs Indy: Royal Lochnagar
In another of Charlies series, he looks at the exact opposite of Diageo’s so-called ‘workhorse’ distilleries. This time it’s the tiny Royal Lochnagar, a rare thing indeed, and finding an indy proves tricky.
Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt x2
Finding himself battling DIY and anxiety, two Mystery Malts arrive at Doog Towers for some fun relief. A welcome arrival as he’d had a twitching eye on a bottle for himself. Now he’s got two. How’d he do? Did he win?
Fragrant Drops Duo
North America hosts the World Cup and the USA finds itself once more distracted by this odd sport that fascinates the rest of planet Earth. CA based Archie drinks it all in with two recent bottles from Fragrant Drops.
Little Brown Dog Duo
Charlie manages to attend only the very last day of this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival, but still feels like it was very worth while - especially after picking up two Little Brown Dog bangers!
Arran 10yo Arran Barley
In something of a look-through-the-letterbox at the life of Broddy - including his sight challenges - we have him explain why he thinks the Arran Barley is a manifestation of emulation. In a good way.
Mortlach 11yo Signatory 100º Proof
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.
Bunnahabhain 6yo Peated SMoS
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.
Kirkland 15yo Highland
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?
Ben Nevis 11yo Tartan Army 🏴
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.
Clydeside 2026 Limited Edition 🏴
Charlie and Wally are nervous. Scotland appear at their first World Cup finals since 1998 this weekend. Will Clydeside’s unofficial/official distillery limited edition release be the one to pour if there’s something to celebrate?
Ardnamurchan Golden Promise Duo
In a fit of rebellion, Mason rails against the wave of AI generated everything he finds in his life today. Whisky, especially good old-school style such as these Ardnamurchan Golden Promise releases, seems to help.