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.
Thompson Bros Mystery Malt Series 6 x2
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?
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.
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.
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?
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?
Thompson Bros Sutherland 5yo
Facing the challenges of restraint, Mason tackles the inevitable fallout of over-accumulation. We can all relate. That said, it doesn’t stop him from buying a backup of this Thompson Bros Sutherland.
Official vs Indy: The Singletons
Charlie continues his deep dive into new distilleries (to him), this time uncovering the two ‘Glens’ of Ord and ‘Dullan, then comparing two Special releases to indies from James Eadie and the Thompson Bros.
Official vs Indy: Dalmore
The gateway dram for Charlie was a Dalmore 18 year old. We all start somewhere. In this instalment of his indy vs official series he tackles Dalmore once more. Four of them.
Official vs Indy: Wolfburn
Charlie wraps up a trio of Official vs Indy articles with a distillery which has yet to nudge the needle on the whisky enthusiast scanner, he wonders why as the distillery launches a 12yo flagship.
Official vs Indy: Clynelish
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?
Thompson Bros White Peak 2018
Ainsley has a few passions: whisky and music, sure, but he’s also a big fan of rugby. He chooses an opposing nation’s whisky output to mark the 6 Nations finale - a White Peak from Thompson Bros.
Glen Scotia 2013 Thompson Bros
Finally, Ogie can breathe. The shackles of a toxic workplace & a draining professional life have been shaken off. He sits at his kitchen table in reflection over a Thompson Bros Glen Scotia
Thompson Bros Mystery Malt Series 3
Once more we visit the ultimate humbling - blind tasting whisky. This time around Ainsley considers what the minimal details are required to legally sell whisky with a Thompson Bros Mystery Malt Series 3.
Speyside Distillery 27yo
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.
Living Souls x Thompson Bros 3yo Blended Scotch
Ogilvie leads a four-way collab review of a…collab. This time it’s the 3yo blended Scotch from Living Souls x Thomspon Bros: a sherry/peat blend and cracking value.
Torabhaig High Strength Duo
Admitting one of his favourite Scottish destinations, Charlie laments not having visited Torabhaig, yet. However, he travels vicariously through an official and an indy from Thompson Bros.
Thompson Bros Mystery Malt Series 3
That tricky third album. It’s the third release of the Thompson Brothers Mystery Malt Series and Hamish grabs another unknown bottle. As does Dramface journeyman Jackie, for his debut!
North British 33yo
In recent months Hamish has taken a step back from whisky and is viewing things from a little further back. As he returns to a 33yo bargain-banger from the Thompson Brothers, has he missed it?
Clynelish 9yo - Thompson Bros Mystery Malt
Murdo’s review of a Thompson Bros Mystery Malt Series 2 Clynelish is actually more a tale of sharing, generosity and community. With a little critical thought about the concept thrown in.