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In his debut, Felix puts forward the case for Scotch whisky’s restricted innovation as well as an apparently overlooked bottle from Edinburgh’s Holyrood; their still available ‘Pitch’ release.
After yearning for an ex-bourbon unfettered Glasgow release, Ramsay has his wish granted when a ten year old finally drops. A limited milestone it may be, but does it live up to the dream?
After preaching about his resolutions to become a little more ‘scrutinous’ about purchases, an auction offers up a Gold Cock Czech whisky and Earie can’t resist a punt. How did that work out?
Dougie needs to bump an order for free shipping and is drawn to a reasonably priced Woven Homemade Blend, which causes him to reflect on how his perspectives have altered immeasurably since the dark days.
Hamish has fallen down a Balmenach rabbit hole, which means he’s discovered a worm tub rabbit hole. Today, he shares four malts in a vertical line up looking into what the worm tub might be about.
Ramsay tackles an important aspect of Irish whiskey. Over a glass of Powers John’s Lane 12yo, he declares that the category worryingly possesses a distinct lack of transparency.
In a busy and crowded whisky space, Hamish takes it upon himself to investigate a distillery that’s been off his radar: Lindores Abbey. Their Thiron annual release brings out the history buff in him.
After a positive introduction to Benrinnes through the Flora & Fauna in 2022, Ogilvie heads to his check-box auction haul to explore the distillery further. This time with ex-bourbon and Cadenheads.
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!
While in Scotland & lamenting the things he can’t easily get a hold of, Ainsley strikes a deal. In return for oor Jackie sourcing him some of this tasty Loch Lomond Distillery Edition 6, he offers a swap.
Charlie asks the all important question - If Bowmore is truly one of Scotch whisky’s legends - why are none of their official releases any good? Brutal. But he explores three to find out.
Gilbert adds another Johnnie Walker to the collection and asks ‘what’s in a name?’ A lot, apparently, especially when you’re trying really hard to find the right one.
Being honest with himself, Earie accepts that he’s paying more per bottle today than ever. Where will this pattern go & did a splurge on this Douglas Laing 18yo Bunnahabhain work out well?
Dougie recalls a weekend trip to Auld Reekie and reviews a whisky from there too. One which gathered viral attention from whisky folk & chocolate makers too, unfortunately - Master of Malt’s Dalry Milk.
Three writers buddy up with three blind bottles from the new Mystery Malt concept from Thompson Brothers. Will they all get the same? Will they like them?
A buddy-up duo up to try out the Glen Scotia 18 year old. Broddy shares some of his frustrations with the business of life decisions while Wally shares frustrations over decisions in whisky business.
Necessity is the mother of invention. As Ogilvie’s strict local liquor laws continue to frustrate, he finds different routes to keeping his exploration alive. This time with a Pot Still Birthday Blair Athol.
As Hughie shares one of his ‘finds’ from Thompson Bros & a recent Scotland trip, he’s left to consider all the folks that have helped whisky find him; those who are celebrated and those who are often less so.
Broddy tries to break Dramface with an epic assessment of ten banging modern blends. He recruits some local pals and covers them all - blind. Think you’re only into malt? This one’s a cracker.
Eallair brings us his long awaited Chapter 4 piece on the history of American Single Malt Whiskey, this time we look towards Missouri and rectification with a double West Bottoms review too.
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We share our thoughts and insight into whisky, its larger landscape as well as the Dramface environment.
Innes spends a little time learning what makes the breathless Thompson Brothers tick, with a Q&A on Dornoch, Indy bottling, Struie and their new Mystery Malt project.
After his epic Whisky & Wine 101 masterpiece, Ainsley swings in with the first chapter of his follow up on Malternatives: this is a whisky-lovers guide to rum!
With the dynamics of whisky changing fast, and bulk whisky sales and opportunities suddenly on the cards, Fletcher sees some challenges ahead. He shares a few concerns for those tempted.
Arthur shares his fourth salvo in our series with the whisky makers. This time, he discusses whisky creation with our first indie; Euan Campbell of SMWS features in The Blender Files.
The team gather to put forward their stand-out whiskies of 2024 & it seems like they’ve covered most of the spectrum. Very personal, very individual, very fun and very typically Dramface. Happy Christmas!
Our Dramface hiatus is interrupted as Doog somehow manages to summon the energy to share why many of the team are ghosts after a legendary weekend.
Hailing from Paris and loving whisky AND wine, Ainsley gives us a barnstormer feature we all can benefit from; a deep yet succinct 101 cheat-sheet for all things wine-related in whisky.
After the devastating export figures issued recently by the SWA, scotch faces turbulent seas ahead. Fletcher asks hard questions about greed, strategy and the potential of a whisky ocean.