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.

In a wonderfully warm and personal piece, Murdo shares what he was up to when this Chapter 7 Ledaig 1995 was distilled. For him it was a pivotal year and one that would set aspects of his life trajectory.

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.

Predicted to be a huge hoit, Ardnamurchan released their first small batch, larger outturn Golden Promise release. All from ex-bourbon barrels. Drummond heads a collaborative of four reviewers.

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.

Hamish reflects on his 2025 whisky moments. Whilst settling on the Glasgow Whisky Festival as the highlight, he shares a Cù Bòcan Creation that surprised him, almost as much as the people he meets.

Getting into the festive spirit, Charlie turns full-on whisky evangelist and makes advent calendars for pals. Starting with a few, it grows until he’s sharing 19! He includes this English Single Malt from Bimber.

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.

In picking up the Glen Scotia Latest Icons release, Fletcher chooses to offer a shout-out to the faces behind the brands; those hard-working, tireless ambassadors that we all benefit from.

Our resident Parisian Ainsley is still unpacking the madness that was Glasgow’s Whisky Festival in 2025. With some distance, he also unpacks a lesser seen indie Auchentoshan from newcomers Whisky Craft.

In discovering a cracking SMWS Loch Lomond Inchmurrin, Broddy goes full Broddy and gives us a deep dive into our scoring, the whys and the whats and the hows. It’s fascinating.

After Dougie’s whirlwind November, he finally has time to sit with his Fragrant Drops 13yo Glen Garioch. Since it’s rainy, he also uncorks his all-time Geery pinnacle bottle for a side-by-side.

As a stickler for justice, Fletcher gives a shout out to the 200 years old Edradour. As he sips this new, all natural 10yo, he wonders what would’ve happened if it hadn’t been saved.

Charlie has some agonising to do over his accumulated open bottles. He dives in to cull some off which, happily, brings this Arran 18yo to the fore, and he discovers it’s the first time we’ve reviewed it.

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.

Wally returns to ask why there are so many silly protectionist rules around stating where a whisky is made - and to who’s detriment when it’s so. He does so over a rather lovely Living Souls 19yo ‘Kildalton’.

Once in a while along comes a flavour profile that stretches our frame of reference in whisky enjoyment. Enter Hughie and his astonishment over a bottle of Ardara Irish Single Malt. He’s intrigued.

Fergus tries Glasgow malt at Glasgow whisky festival, only to ask it to live up to the experience when he has it back home. He also makes some observations about openness and transparency, and the humility of cities.

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.

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.