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.
Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting Blended Malt 17yo
Charlie falls in love with a blended malt. One that he loves so much he’s even tried to make a version of his own at home. With this Cadenhead’s Warehouse special, he’s wondering what’s in the char.
Springbank 12yo Cask Strength 2026
Drummond has spent some time now on The Bottle Ban and he brings us an update on how it’s going. Since the review is for a 2026 Springbank, we know for sure it’s not fully intact.
Springbank Local Barley 10yo
Murdo enjoys an annual bonus. Intent on saving it, he splurges a little on an indulgent and pricey Springbank Local Barley; the Bere release from 2025. Is the extra worth it?
Longrow 18yo
It’s a popular bottle, the Longrow 18. So much so, it generates one of our famous Dramface pile-ons, with Earie, Mike, Drummond and Murdo all reviewing their own annual editions. Perfect.
Springbank 12yo Cask Strength Trio
What’s better than a single Springbank 12 Cask Strength review? Three reviews of course. After a short Dramface break, we return with batches 26 through 28 in Archie’s glass. He’s a happy man.
Springbank Hand-fill
While sipping on a Springbank ‘hand-fill’ from the distillery, Murdo considers how it’s the antithesis of the rise in automation and AI we see today, and how those things may affect the drive to learn.
Hazelburn 10yo 2025 Release
Ally’s already decided he’s won’t make any resolutions for 2026; last year’s didn’t work out as planned. He found his deep dive into wine woefully restrictive. He makes up for it with a 10yo Hazelburn.
Springbank 14yo Bourbon Wood
As part of a recent fondness for both his Campbeltown faves and a penchant for auction hunting, Charlie snags a classic Springbank legend. But there’s always a risk, isn’t there?
Springbank 15yo 2025 Release
More thrills and successes on unicorn hunts. Earie sets his sights on Springbank and, somewhat fortunately, lands a 15 year old in the crosshairs. Is it really coming back to us? Even Springbank?
Springbank 12yo & Hazelburn 8yo 2025
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’.
Springbank 5yo 100º Proof
A typically meandering Wally thought piece as he asks himself - based on his perspective and experience, is Springbank’s shiny new 5yo 100º Proof worth the same price level as their 10yo?
Decadent Drinks August 2025 Outturn
Fergus reflects on the solidifying of his whisky exploration through trips and sharing, but also the understanding of new concepts, such as independent bottling, like this month’s Decadent Drinks outturn.
North Star Campbeltown Connection 10yo
Charlie hops onboard for another circle around the whisky discovery track. This time, he’s recalling his six milestones as he journeys back into blends with a North Star Campbeltown creation.
Longrow Trio
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.
Decadent Drinks May 2025 Outturn
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.
Springbank 10yo Open Day 2025
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.
Springbank 18yo 2024 Release
Today we learn the swap for yesterday’s review. Ainsley pushes the boat out for a pricey 18 year old and splits it with Dramface Jackie in a celebration of what whisky is all about - sharing. Hughie chips in too!
Springbank 8yo Local Barley
At first Ainsley wasn’t too enamoured with the ‘hype’ around Springbank’s Local Barley releases. It took 2025’s 8yo with heritage grain to switch all the lights on. It’s finally found him.
Kilkerran Quartet - Bourbon vs Sherry
After something of an unintended hiatus, Drummond figures out it’s just where he’s at - no longer feeling the need to chase. Instead of FOMO, he’s embracing JOMO - and four cracking Kilkerrans.
Springbank 10yo 2023 Release
Spoiler: As Earie sings high praises for Springbank’s wonderfully alluring 10yo, he has to admit that it was not love at first sight. He wonders if there’s such a thing as a whisky that’s not for beginners?