Fergie evaluates the risks in paying considerably more for small-scale ‘artisanal’ products. In doing so he compares a recently acquired Daftmill to his beloved custom-made Dobro.

Broddy discovers a nearby Canadian distillery doing everything all the right way, with local ingredients and an ingenious still set up. He dives in with both feet, buying four bottles at once. How does he fare?

How’s your Friday? Fancy a vivid trip to the west coast of Scotland on a moonlit night? Doog, literally, takes you there. With a nice SMWS single malt too.

A favourite Gilbert pastime is chasing blends. Reluctant to splash out on the “Ultimate” scotch blend, Gilbert borrows a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label and gives it a whirl for us all.

Perhaps with St Valentine’s Day on his mind, Earie wonders what makes us fall in love with certain distilleries. He decides it’s less faff, more flavour and more indies. Some other stuff too.

Starting out eager and earnest, Mason grabbed a ‘bargain’ 21 year old Glenfiddich, only to discover that age and quality are not always synonymous in whisky.

Dougie scoffs a Fragrant Drops North British bottle-split but immediately orders a follow-up bottle and compares it to a 34yo counterpart. He likes, and the prices are remarkable.

While shopping for bits and bobs, Mason is hit by nostalgia from a cute 20cl bottle of Johnnie Walker Red. At only €7, he decides to have a little fun despite the inevitable disappointment of this modern blend.

Whisky quest at Singapore’s Changi Airport.: The saleswoman leads Murdo down the Travel Retail isles and pulls out this Blended Scotch by Ardray. Is she a true whisky sage or a master of sales magic?

Refining his whisky-sights, a measured gamble on the ever-reliable Thompson Brothers connects Tav with a ‘teaspooned’ bottle he’d have to pay double for to grab the branded version.

In digging for obscure treasures, Innes unearths a bottle that’s been abused for 50 years. A Wine Society Mortlach from before most of us were born. Incredible liquid history. How does it taste?

An annual treat for Fergie is to splash out on an indulgent treat. Despite a previous false start, he chose Deanston and their 18yo. What did he discover? It’s a Dramface pile on.

A debut piece by our Friday First writer Mason Mack, who introduces us to his digital native generation and slow-living, through a glass of elegant Dailuaine from Fragrant Drops.

Wally makes an impassioned plea to the owners of Speyburn and AnCnoc to think twice about their decisions to chill filter their malts in upcoming revamps. He also makes a plea to those who care.

Whisky brings solace and escapism in challenging times. After some fatigue, Earie finds his love of whisky geekery sparked once more. A very good indie Islay from Elixir’s Elements helps out.

Cadenhead’s Original Collection and the Enigma Blends are perhaps the most likely of their releases to be found in the wider marketplace. Ainsley dives in to an entire outturn.

After Broddy's Sherrygeddon experience, he continues pull upon the Amontillado Sherry thread. This time its the limited Wood Collection Series from Glenallachie.

Going outside of what you know can often yield surprises; such as this overlooked Milk & Honey Apex Pomegranate Wine Finish Single Malt from Israel.

Mining solo, Innes suddenly discovers a whisky club in London and everything changes - until Covid-19 changes everything. This 28yo Cadenhead’s Glen Scotia is from the (very recent) hay days.

Today, it’s Broddy’s turn to eat his words. After criticising a lack of single cask Ardnamurchan picks, his local Kensington Wine Market pulls in their very own. It feels like this peated ex-bourbs it’s just for him!