Even in far-flung California, Archie is landing decent indie bottlings. In a follow up to his Woodrows Foursome, we have a Living Souls Trio: Two Smoky Sevens and a Speyside, all crackers.

When aspects of life challenge, Archie has discovered the joy of a walk in the woods. But these are no ordinary woods, and this is tree therapy. He brings along the Glenallachie 10yo Cask Strength.

A new year, a new writer. Debutant Archie sips from Long Beach California and for his first Dramface piece he went for four from Woodrow’s. A Balvenie, Laphroaig, Dailuaine and an Ardna. Nice.

After a remarkable career, Ogilvie has decided to retire. Not from Dramface, but his real job. By pleasant coincidence he notes that the arrival and departure of his final chapter are marked by AnCnoc’s 12 year old.

It’s Dougie’s turn to step up with a box of the latest outturn from Decadent Drinks. Like this weekend deep-dive read, it’s no small undertaking. But it starts with an Ardnamurchan, so he’s in…

In revisiting an old favourite, Hughie puts the case forward for 40% ABV entry level offerings, as well as the dangers of applying the strategy to the rest of the range. AnCnoc 12 is in the glass.

Earie has given up worrying about the scale of his ‘collection’ and admitting that the fun is in buying more whisky. He trusts SMOS and buys blind, but he may have come a cropper on this Dailuaine.

Ogilvie finds himself in a funk. His family notice it too. What else is there to do but crack a Thompson Bros Mystery Malt Series 3 and head to the back porch. Contemplative therapy time. Ogilvie style.

A solid and dependable dram is needed to help Mason come down after a whirlwind trip to Glasgow for the annual Whisky Festival. This Fragrant Drops Elevenses Linkwood does the trick nicely.

With Benromach’s latest Contrasts highlighting how high enzyme grain might affect the end product, Hamish considers how far whisky makers can push the envelope under todays regs.

Lamenting the disconnect between the whisky that’s made and the whisky that’s sold, Fergus discovers that - once more - it’s the indies that have our backs. A Signatory Vintage Longmorn is in the glass.

Murdo puts forward the case for flexibility; to be seduced by quality and value over brands. Which, ironically, has him visit a brand that’s often rudely referred to as Diageo’s Death Star - Roseisle.

A self-declared lover of anything Linkwood, even Murdo has to admit that sometimes it is possible to find something you don’t enjoy - despite expecting to. Case in point - a 10yo Signatory Linkwood.

Ogilvie senses impostor syndrome. But he’s made of strong stuff and plods on regardless, doing a great job of sharing his thoughts on the September outturn from Decadent Drams for us all.

Ainsley rejoices in the friends and like-minded companionship can bring, yet selects a special and mature Cadenhead’s Glen Grant to put forward the case for sipping, contemplatively, alone.

Fergie wonders about his whisky personality; is he a hoarder, a collector or a rabbit-holer? A gifted whisky map from his dad confirms the latter and this Cadenhead’s Glenburgie offers up another.

Ainsley is full of excuses: Brexit, holidays, distractions, work, being French. Eventually, he gets around to sharing some beauties from Decadent Drinks. The good news; they’re belters & mostly still about.

On his 3rd attempt, Felix manages to snag a Meikle Tòir - The Turbo; an annual peat bomb that has always intrigued him. However, with time to interrogate, it gives him the toughest of scoring quandaries.

Matching whisky with audience can be tricky. It’s either too much, or not enough. Our debutant Ally shares his experience with a NAS supermarket Tamnavulin Port Cask Edition. All £19 of it.

Wally finally cracks open a bottle that’s been around for so long it became a burden of anxiety. Now that it’s open; how’s he feeling about having a 40yo Strathisla on the shelf?