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.
Glasgow 1770 Peated PX Cask Strength
Adding to their Small Batch series, cult upstart Glasgow have found traction with Cask Strength 1770 releases. Hamish, Fergus and Tav buddy up on the latest Peated PX.
Ardnamurchan Cask Strength 2024
Hamish glances back to whisky past, wondering where he’d start today. In picking up the latest Ardnamurchan Cask Strength, he knows where he’d be happy to end up, and tries to explore… why?
Scapa 10yo
Tav and Wally wade in together on a brand new Scapa. Now there’s something we don’t read too often. This one is the affordable 10 year old, and they both agree on something. The fruit!
Scarabus 10yo
We tend to avoid politics at Dramface. Ogie does the same at Chez Shaw in NC, USA. But his politically opposed pals visit him with different ideas. Ogie douses them with Scarabus 10. Good job.
Deanston Lepanto Distillery Exclusive
Put off by the VC prices, Murdo heads home only to regret not buying. Still dreaming of that warehouse tasting, he heads back once more, halfway around the world for a memorable Deanston.
Glasgow 2017 Oloroso
Ainsley returns from his first visit to Glasgow, low on health and finances, but high on life. He shares why; but needs to pull Wally in for a review of a special Glasgow oloroso single cask.
Table Whisky
A man struck by strong branding and potent design, Dougie spots something that isn’t whisky - as he knows it. But it is £32.50, so he fires in to explore Port of Leith’s ‘Table Whisky’.
Dalwhinnie 15yo
Nostalgic about his formative whisky days exploring supermarkets, Fergus arrives at the official 15yo Dalwhinnie. As a geek today, while he appreciates its value, we know where he goes from there…
Thompson Bros Circumstance 3yo
With so much choice for enthusiasts to explore today, our canny - and occasionally miserly - Hamish is drawn to a bargain Thompson Bros Circumstance that has the airwaves chattering.
Wire Works Alter Ego
Dougie, trying to get his head around a new sphere of whisky in Wire Works, needs a little inspiration from the thing he’s come to love every bit as much as the drink itself - the folk.
Lot 40 Cherry Wood
Aengus is back. In reviewing the very latest release from Dr. Don’s Rye Cask Lot 40 Cask Strength - with a cherry wood finish - he tries to define the attributes of ‘cool’.
American Single Malt History Pt2 - Leopold Bros Rye
Eallair’s second fascinating instalment of the history behind American Single Malt, to the backdrop of a special Straight Rye from Leopold Bros
Kilkerran 16yo 2024
Faced with some recent difficulty, Wally evaluates a thing he leans upon to bring comfort and optimism. Catharsis comes through the lens of an affordable, available Campbeltown sparkler.
Balmenach 8yo
How to convey the breathless experience of the world’s Largest Whisky Show? We send in Ainsley. Who seems to drink the time of his life. Oh, and a lesser-seen Balmenach review, for value.
Glasgow 1770 Marsala Cask
Tav turns up for a race feeling like he’s in the zone, he’s brought his A-game. Only to be left questioning his relationship with whisky. All with the backdrop of a 7 year old Glasgow Marsala cask banger.
Ardnamurchan Tyndrum
Dougie becomes cynical of super-dark whiskies. Not content with an inability to see the true colour of the Tyndrum Ardnamurchan single cask, he decants first, then reviews.
Glentauchers 1997
Murdo is invited to present interesting whiskies to a group of wine lovers, searching for bold flavours and hooks, he makes a slight error skips this beautiful Glentauchers from Signatory.
Killara Port Cask
After a horrific experience with Tasmanian whisky, Calder returns to his local stuff after significant inspiration from his favourite dram pairing; literature. He sets out with a Killara Port Cask.
Benrinnes 23yo Signatory
Tyree returns with some deep thoughts on expertise, enthusiasts, ‘Big Whisky’ and black boxes. Fascinating. He finishes off with a flourish and a beautiful 1990s Benrinnes. Welcome back fella.
Glasgow 1770 Small Batch Duo
Some new, cracking value, Glasgow 1770 Small Batch releases have dropped. Dougie leads a team up with Drummond and Wally to check out the Madeira and the Islay Cask. Don’t miss these.