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.

In a fascinating piece, Aengus returns from his coffee obsession to apply some learnings to whisky. With a tasty Berry Bros Glen Moray in the glass, he tries to uncover what different water brings for flavour.

In another call for support of independent specialist retailers, Ainsley and Ramsay team up to celebrate a Caol Ila released by Adelphi to mark Arthur Motley’s 20 years at Royal Mile 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.

A shipping miscommuniqué sees various Dramface team members end up with whisky they didn’t expect. This time it’s Glasgow’s 1770 Constantia and it means three can join in on the review.

Realising whisky’s time capsule proposition while increasingly troubled by potential nostalgia, Ogilvie seeks out a vintage Bunnahabhain 12yo to see if the flavours of his memory can be matched.

With three Longrow expressions as company, and in a reflective mood, Drummond looks back on his first days living in Scotland as an ex-pat American. He remembers one of his influential coaches in Scottish life - and whisky.

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.

Wally sets aside a day to sit with a line up of Decadent Drinks releases. He uncovers some show stoppers and - remarkably - he can even afford one of them.

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.

Back for his tricky follow up piece, Felix snags himself a Springbank - a Malt Festival bottle no less. As he considers how easy this was to come by, he shares his thoughts on why. And neckpours! Wally chimes in too.

Is it snobbery to suggest cask-driven flavour isn’t desirable? Or to mention that some whiskies are ‘engineered’? Fergus tracks down a Signatory Glenlivet that is a no-holds-barred unapologetic sherry bomb.

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.

Hughie reignites an old flame - Kilchoman. Specifically their 100% Islay release. Despite the ‘monogamy’ of a single distillery and even a single expression, he still manages a little promiscuity by enjoying three at once.