In the four years and 1400+ reviews on Dramface, we’ve only ever scored one 10/10. Until today. Murdo shares an under-the-radar old-school Signatory Glenturret which brought a tear, and full marks.
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.
Tyree doubles down on two drams and finds that Glenlivet’s Licensed Dram is a worthy successor to the Illicit Still — plus a very special Port Ellen follow up review.
Fletch remains distracted by other projects, but he’s had such a moment with a Glen Scotia special that he’s had to stop and check in, just to share the joy of what a special whisky can do.
Wally ‘forgets’ to forward on the set from Decadent Drams showcasing their June outturn. Luckily, there are some quite spectacular treats inside, including a 52yo Glen Garioch.
A nostalgic look back in time with Broddy. As he sips an ancient and lost style of Loch Lomond, perhaps never intended to reach 30yo, he thinks back to how things were once made differently.
A curious set of preview samples from Bruichladdich to review. These will be released in 2026 to celebrate their 25 years of revival. Wally is happy he kept them for himself this time.
As well as sharing his thoughts on a selection of Decadent Drinks recent outturn, Ainsley also shares his thoughts on his latest visit to the Independent Spirits Festival in Leith.
What’s better than a single Springbank 12 Cask Strength review? Three reviews of course. After a short Dramface break, we return with batches 26 through 28 in Archie’s glass. He’s a happy man.
The hardest questions in whisky? “What’s your favourite?” However, at this moment in time, Hamish has an answer. Today, he shares his all-time favourite whisky! An SMWS Ardmore.
After finally hooking up with some fellow Dramface pals in Glasgow, Ogilvie has to confess a feeling of giddiness. He cracks a Glasgow Distillery souvenir to help recall how great it was to render things real.
Ainsley is full of excuses: Brexit, holidays, distractions, work, being French. Eventually, he gets around to sharing some beauties from Decadent Drinks. The good news; they’re belters & mostly still about.
Wally finally cracks open a bottle that’s been around for so long it became a burden of anxiety. Now that it’s open; how’s he feeling about having a 40yo Strathisla on the shelf?
Fergus reflects on the solidifying of his whisky exploration through trips and sharing, but also the understanding of new concepts, such as independent bottling, like this month’s Decadent Drinks outturn.
Covering four Ardnamurchans in one sitting, Dougie eventually discovers something he’s been searching for in whisky - that mysterious ‘effervescence’. Perfect that it comes from his beloved Ardna.
Wally sets aside a day to sit with a line up of Decadent Drinks releases. He uncovers some show stoppers and - remarkably - he can even afford one of them.
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!
In reflective mode, Dougie does what we need him to do: close out the year with a retrospective via Ardnamurchan. AD/10, Sauternes and AD/Venturers all up for grabs. He pulls in Ainsley to help out.
9/10 klaxon: As an Englishman paying little attention to English whisky, Fergus was surprised when a friend encouraged him to try Whittaker’s First Release. Yet it might just be his WOTY for 2024.
We live in a era of privilege, witnessing the coming of age of brand new whiskies and new things to love. Doog tries Ardnamurchan at ten years old and recounts his fall into complete fandom.
As Ardnamurchan turns 10 years old, Drummond dives into their recent Golden Promise release single cask; the one for the George Hotel in Inveraray. To suggest he likes it is an understatement.
Murdo heads up one of our 'Then & Now' comparison reviews; this time featuring Longmorn's legendary 16 year olds. There's also a bonus buddy up on the iconic 15yo with Fergus.
Ainsley brings a Glen Ord banger to a 90+ points whisky night and ends up contemplating what’s different about ‘older’ whiskies that are, in whisky terms, actually pretty young.
The Dougie Crystal Blend. A meticulous, carefully crafted plan to create the best possible blend, was quickly tossed out the window as the giddiness of eight cask strength bangers took hold.
Prepare for a dose of FOMO as Wally waxes lyrical about another banger from Glengyle’s Kilkerran. He says, despite all the defiance and fighting to get there - they’ve released their best yet.
Visiting a brick-and-mortar whisky shop, with best intentions, Broddy tries to use up some time while not using up any money. He fails and blows a fortune, but uncovers an absolute banger.
The say distance makes the heart go fonder. Dougie returns to Ardnamurchan’s fair whisky shores after a long break and discovers what’s inside this 5 year old Unpeated Golden Promise Barley expression.
On a trapse to the Big Smoke to explore some whisky in his favourite bar, Doog catches the lurgy. But not before he discovers a belter of a Ben Nevis form Woodrows - and the concept of a bloodtub.
Swinging in with a quick sequel and an expensive trophy, Nick is so impressed with this batch of Springbank’s 12yo that he’s already (almost) forgotten just how much he handed over for the privilege.
Knowing it’s pretty difficult to get a Springbank Local Barley, Wally goes ahead with a review anyway; to share his theories, but also just to say thanks.
Sharing his future dreams, Tyree gives us a snapshot into why he loves why as he does, and how this will likely define his life trajectory. Oh, and the small issue of a near perfect dram too.
A love affair with Campbeltown Whiskies, gone cold, warms again for Ramsay with a lucky find of his beloved Kilkerran 16yo. Is this 2023 recipe departure enough to reignite the romance?
Blending whisky is a genuine art form that demands maximum respect. Dougie signed up to try a session himself in Campbeltown. From lunch to jelly legs, he takes us vividly along.
Ogilvie reflects on movements in his life and a future change coming to when he would often share a dram on his back porch of an evening. Embracing an auction purchase of a Bedford Park Ben Nevis acclaimed by Broddy a year before, Broddy joins him in a collab review on this IB release.
Drummond has spent some time now on The Bottle Ban and he brings us an update on how it’s going. Since the review is for a 2026 Springbank, we know for sure it’s not fully intact.
Murdo enjoys an annual bonus. Intent on saving it, he splurges a little on an indulgent and pricey Springbank Local Barley; the Bere release from 2025. Is the extra worth it?
The 2026 Paul Launois release from Ardnamurchan inspires a Dramface collab. Four of our writers gather at its side to ponder the trajectory of one of the coolest annual releases in whisky.
As Dramface slows to its summer cadence, Archie reflects on the perspectives afforded to us via a slower pace to things. He chooses a bruiser of a Loch Lomond Croftengea to help.
When Ogilvie manages to snag a lesser-spotted Balcones Texas 1, he finds himself joined by another two who are just as excited to be sipping on the Texas Single Malt.
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.
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.
Wally ‘forgets’ to forward on the set from Decadent Drams showcasing their June outturn. Luckily, there are some quite spectacular treats inside, including a 52yo Glen Garioch.
After ignoring a distillery he once thought had long closed, Charlie dives in to a duo comparison on Ben Nevis. Both from Decadent Drinks, both 12yo - sherry vs bourbon. Fight!
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?
Dougie attends the Inaurgural Ardnamurchan Open Day as part of the West Highland Whisky Festival. As well as a report of his participation on the day, he enjoys a 2016 single cask exclusive released for the event.
North America hosts the World Cup and the USA finds itself once more distracted by this odd sport that fascinates the rest of planet Earth. CA based Archie drinks it all in with two recent bottles from Fragrant Drops.
Charlie manages to attend only the very last day of this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival, but still feels like it was very worth while - especially after picking up two Little Brown Dog bangers!
In a fit of rebellion, Mason rails against the wave of AI generated everything he finds in his life today. Whisky, especially good old-school style such as these Ardnamurchan Golden Promise releases, seems to help.
Broddy gathers seven bottles of SMOS Reserve Cask Small Batch releases in a single mega review. He justifies his scoring for each while dropping a bombshell of heresy about oatcakes.
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.
A curious set of preview samples from Bruichladdich to review. These will be released in 2026 to celebrate their 25 years of revival. Wally is happy he kept them for himself this time.
Earie uses some Big Words to describe reviewing decent, earnest whiskies in an independent way. This time it’s another flight of Dram Mòr releases from spring 2026. Including a sneaky malternative.
Heading out to the beach once more, Archie talks about why it’s important to take our time. These three from Woodrow’s of Edinburgh encompass that perfectly, from Ben Nevis, Ledaig and Campbeltown.
Bowmore’s reputation has been sullied in recent years. Archie grabs a Douglas Laing Old Particular; one of the many new releases from indies. Can it complete an arc of redemption?
As well as sharing his thoughts on a selection of Decadent Drinks recent outturn, Ainsley also shares his thoughts on his latest visit to the Independent Spirits Festival in Leith.
It’s a popular bottle, the Longrow 18. So much so, it generates one of our famous Dramface pile-ons, with Earie, Mike, Drummond and Murdo all reviewing their own annual editions. Perfect.
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.
We often mention ‘Spinal Tap’ whiskies, but it’s nice when we can talk about an official release where the seminal “eleven!” is actually reached. Ardbeg’s 10yo Cask Strength in Archie’s glass.
Facing an ever-expanding stash of samples, Archie decides to get torn into a pack of Tri Carragh samples he was sent last year, most of which are still available, and some of which are belters.
Reflecting on a wonderful Independent Spirits Festival in Leith, Wally considers what was missed, what could be better and what’s under our noses, like this amazing Wire Works Heritage Chevallier.
An homage to the past from Bruichladdich; their unabashed, self-indulgent celebration of a twenty-five year long renaissance. Nick, Murdo and Ramsay step up to review the new 10yo Old Skool.
Remember that Dramface article where the writer took the bottle on a hike for pictures and almost stood on a big rattlesnake? Single Cask Nation Glendronach 14 to share the tale.
So much about a whisky purchase is founded in trust. Wondering where that comes from, Murdo shares a tale of treacherous ski slopes and a Bruichladdich Black Art Sapero.
For various reasons, Broddy doesn’t have much excitement these days for his local Canadian whisky. He does find a tasty Oloroso finish Shelter Point to restore some faith.
Archie grabs his favourites from a recent Impex Collection outturn, it just so happens both are on the peaty side, but he’s more grateful for a common theme in Dramface recently; the community that exposed them to him.
Horrified at how few Japanese whiskies have featured in Dramface, Earie steps forward with a Shizuoka United S. He also attempts to explain why there are so few of these being enjoyed around here.
Purple flowers and cinnamon bears, Archie takes us on another hike through his local nature. This time, it’s a budget friendly Clynelish in the form of The Teuchter from Decadent Drinks.
The 2026 Paul Launois release from Ardnamurchan inspires a Dramface collab. Four of our writers gather at its side to ponder the trajectory of one of the coolest annual releases in whisky.
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.
Wally ‘forgets’ to forward on the set from Decadent Drams showcasing their June outturn. Luckily, there are some quite spectacular treats inside, including a 52yo Glen Garioch.
After ignoring a distillery he once thought had long closed, Charlie dives in to a duo comparison on Ben Nevis. Both from Decadent Drinks, both 12yo - sherry vs bourbon. Fight!
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?
One of the team has been MIA in recent times, we discover why as life pops up with an unexpected curveball. He shares over a bottle of Strathenry from the Fragrant Drops affordable ‘Elevenses’ series.
After not insignificant conflict caused by a mighty customs bill, Earie is left reflecting on all of the positive connections and events brought by whisky. An exotic Overeem from a maple syrup cask is in the glass.
In something of a look-through-the-letterbox at the life of Broddy - including his sight challenges - we have him explain why he thinks the Arran Barley is a manifestation of emulation. In a good way.
Sometimes, we don’t get exactly what we expect. That’s when an open mind and patience can deliver a decent experience regardless, as Earie and Fergie discover on this Signatory Mortlach.
In a fit of rebellion, Mason rails against the wave of AI generated everything he finds in his life today. Whisky, especially good old-school style such as these Ardnamurchan Golden Promise releases, seems to help.
It seems that Pulteney have never been fully forgiven for the brand update that happened all the way back in 2018. Drummond put the case forward for their often overlooked 18 year old.
In a wonderfully candid and personal piece, Archie shares his transition into trusting independent bottlers and how he decided to start with Murray McDavid. It’s not what you might think.
Broddy gathers seven bottles of SMOS Reserve Cask Small Batch releases in a single mega review. He justifies his scoring for each while dropping a bombshell of heresy about oatcakes.
Kindred spirits Archie and Charlie collab on one of their favourites: Torabhaig. This time it’s all about their new Taigh core release and the meaning of home, with summery pics of California and Scotland.
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.
Dougie discovers, for the first time, brown noise. He shares his thoughts. He also discovers, for the second time, Glen Garioch 12yo. He also shares his thoughts. And his photos? We hope you’re sitting down.
On a trek, Archie is tempted into breaking his own rules when he uncovers a gem of a waterfall. It makes the prettiest of backdrops for a gem of a Balmenach from Living Souls.
A curious set of preview samples from Bruichladdich to review. These will be released in 2026 to celebrate their 25 years of revival. Wally is happy he kept them for himself this time.
Earie uses some Big Words to describe reviewing decent, earnest whiskies in an independent way. This time it’s another flight of Dram Mòr releases from spring 2026. Including a sneaky malternative.
Heading out to the beach once more, Archie talks about why it’s important to take our time. These three from Woodrow’s of Edinburgh encompass that perfectly, from Ben Nevis, Ledaig and Campbeltown.
Something completely different and interesting - a Brazilian Independent Bottling of a Brazilian Malt. Hughie dives in to tackle wine casks and Lunatic Asylum’s ‘Only Ash Remains’ from Union.
Murdo heads out into the rain to break a self-imposed bottle ban. So much for future indulgence space making. He’s weak. Aren’t we all? A Glendullan from Chorlton in the glass.
As well as sharing his thoughts on a selection of Decadent Drinks recent outturn, Ainsley also shares his thoughts on his latest visit to the Independent Spirits Festival in Leith.
Archie feels there’s a fairly newborn distillery that deserves a little light shone on them and apologises for an almost three-year hiatus from Dramface. He makes up for it with a duo review.
Sad he no longer travels the US like he once did, Fletch is grateful once more for the sharing and caring of the whisky community. Especially the mules. A Leopold 8yo bourbon in the glass.
Once in a while, Mason gets genuinely excited about a new whisky release. This is one of those moments - and it’s a blend. Although one with a young and very different take on things; Turntable’s Born to be Wild.
It turns out Broddy has some Nordic heritage. He shares some of the details, culture and food he enjoys while bringing us his thoughts on a Norwegian Arctic Single Malt. Nice.
Archie grabs his favourites from a recent Impex Collection outturn, it just so happens both are on the peaty side, but he’s more grateful for a common theme in Dramface recently; the community that exposed them to him.
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.
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.
In another of Charlies series, he looks at the exact opposite of Diageo’s so-called ‘workhorse’ distilleries. This time it’s the tiny Royal Lochnagar, a rare thing indeed, and finding an indy proves tricky.
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?
It turns out Fergie has a fear - of lightening strikes. His childhood story of why makes it understandable. But during a recent storm he found a distraction, an antidote; a Bunnahabhain from Single Malts of Scotland.
Wally and Charlie are at it again; wallowing in their gleeful states simply because their team have made the World Cup finals for the first time in a generation. The SV Ben Nevis Tartan Army release in the glass this time.
Charlie and Wally are nervous. Scotland appear at their first World Cup finals since 1998 this weekend. Will Clydeside’s unofficial/official distillery limited edition release be the one to pour if there’s something to celebrate?
With the Classic Laddie displaying its 10yo label once more, Ramsay picks up what’s only his second ever Laddie and asks if our tendency for nostalgia is well-placed, or potentially harmful.
Sometimes we place unrealistic expectations on things, based on our own dreams and memories, building up inevitable ‘failure’. The return of Arran’s 14yo has Wally wondering if we’re all just after a ‘hot take’.
Broddy gathers seven bottles of SMOS Reserve Cask Small Batch releases in a single mega review. He justifies his scoring for each while dropping a bombshell of heresy about oatcakes.
Ogilvie’s been in a huff. Challenged by a lack of interesting bottles, he finds himself faced with shelves of taupe. Until a ‘consolation’ bottle of New Riff Malted Rye from a Sherry Cask lights up an evening.
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.
Earie uses some Big Words to describe reviewing decent, earnest whiskies in an independent way. This time it’s another flight of Dram Mòr releases from spring 2026. Including a sneaky malternative.
As an advocate for bottle splits, Earie enjoys a souvenir from a pal - one of the Equinox & Solstice releases from Decadent Drinks - this time an under-the-radar Mannochmore.
Archie feels there’s a fairly newborn distillery that deserves a little light shone on them and apologises for an almost three-year hiatus from Dramface. He makes up for it with a duo review.
In whisky, when is a finish not a finish? Fergie tackles a recent Small Batch form Glasgow and asks when it’s actually more like a secondary maturation. The 6yo Amarone ‘finish’ is in the glass.
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.
Over time, Ainsley thinks the Scotch whisky landscape builds into a mental whisky bell-curve where favourites lie to one side and lesser malts the other. But what about the in-betweeners, such as this Cadenhead’s Miltonduff?
Facing an ever-expanding stash of samples, Archie decides to get torn into a pack of Tri Carragh samples he was sent last year, most of which are still available, and some of which are belters.
An homage to the past from Bruichladdich; their unabashed, self-indulgent celebration of a twenty-five year long renaissance. Nick, Murdo and Ramsay step up to review the new 10yo Old Skool.
Remember the ‘good ole days’ as kids where we ranged far and wide fearlessly. Memories of those days in playgrounds bring a contrast to the newer playground designs where sharp edges are banned and children protected. Reflecting, Mason finds a tasty Peat Monster from the back of the cupboard which he has a soft spot for.
Archie takes a stroll down Memory Lane to share tales of his early attempts to ‘sell himself’; a pre-modern day influencer. He thinks of how things are so much different as the brand-new Aberargie arrives.
Despite finding frustrations with transparency (that thing again) and general presentation, Earie is pretty pleased to find a flavoursome value bomb from Teeling in their Douro Old Vines Sommelier Selection.
Some distilleries deserve a second chance, such as this Aber Falls Welsh single malt. Their clumsy start was arguably to aim too cheap. Others however, make a second chance a hard sell.
None of us realised how tenacious Gilbert was, until he went all out to get the best out of his 2026 Malts Festival Glen Scotia; with a food and sip diary. Too much information? We say not enough!
Betraying his age as well as his sense of humour and movie preferences, Archie surprises himself with a low-expectations bottling from Lagavulin: their new 11 year old Sweet Peat.
Earie, like many of us, keeps Diageo on the naughty step until their insanely greedy and odd behaviours change. But gifts are gifts, so what’s he missing out on? Lagavulin 8 in the glass this time.
Drummond returns from a short hiatus with an insight into a trait that he’s come to accept; the need to pause and make time for self-care. A trio of Cadenhead’s Bunnahabhain helps of course.
Mason has been ‘ enjoying’ his recent hiatus from alcohol. This year has been longer than most due to Europe’s ‘heat dome’ of 2026, which has had him reach for this Eagle Rare 10yo upon return.
In another of Charlies series, he looks at the exact opposite of Diageo’s so-called ‘workhorse’ distilleries. This time it’s the tiny Royal Lochnagar, a rare thing indeed, and finding an indy proves tricky.
Once in a store, Ogilvie heartily recommended this Jack Daniels Barrel Proof to an acquaintance. When he returns to a bottle three years later, he realises some things change, if fact sometimes everything does.
Broddy gathers seven bottles of SMOS Reserve Cask Small Batch releases in a single mega review. He justifies his scoring for each while dropping a bombshell of heresy about oatcakes.
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.
In a hurry to get to funner places, Wally phoned one in. This time it’s a limited edition Macallan, and there’s nothing - yet somehow everything - wrong with it.
Charlie picks up three blends from the past - his own past - and dips in to see what he was missing. A Chivas Regal 12yo from the 1970s alongside an old Johnnie Walker Swing and a 1980s Teachers.
A stranger to Glenlossie until 2025, Charlie uncovered one of Diageo’s ‘blend houses’ in a Cadenhead’s tasting. Typically for him, a pleasant experience and a bottle purchase finds him exploring and comparing.
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?
There aren’t many Irish whiskeys (or whiskies!) showing up in Murdo’s market, but he finds a Marsala Cask from Boann and pulls the trigger. Is it worth it? Is it any more transparent? Is it whisky or whiskey?
Three of the team hark back to Christmas vibes as they each, independently, happen upon a Signatory 100º Proof Exceptional Cask Glentauchers. As is typical with Dramface, it divides opinion.
In order to calm the tensions of travel, Archie once enjoyed an airport beer. These days, however, he’s moved up a few levels: Planedrams. In his Plaincairn on this trip he revisits an old faithful Glenfarclas 12yo.
Feeling the crunch on his finances, Mason gets introspective. Facing over-accumulation, he naively attempts a slow down and a clear out of languishing bottles & revisits a Cadenhead’s 11yo Garioch.
After nearly smashing this bottle of Annandale before the photo shoot, Fletcher recalls the times he’s lost whiskies through packing fails and baggage handling fails. He also wants to know why this malt is such a positioning fail.
Despite enjoying his new home, Ogilvie continues to find frustration in his state-controlled ‘Whisky Desert’ of North Carolina. Then he happens upon not one, but two home-grown whiskies!
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.
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.
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.
Ally shares the concept of ‘bus drams’. This is a known practice and there are protocols and potential for social faux pas. But there are ways around it. Bring ‘interesting’ drams. Like this 19yo Jura from Milroys.
Hamish is drawn to comparing Lochlea’s new Dark Briar to the similar sherry-cask Fallow Edition. In doing so he starts to wonder how the concept of a ‘core range’ ever came about in malt whisky.
Matching whisky with audience can be tricky. It’s either too much, or not enough. Our debutant Ally shares his experience with a NAS supermarket Tamnavulin Port Cask Edition. All £19 of it.
Who would’ve thought some dog-sitting would result in the ability to explore a bottle of whisky that you’d never buy yourself? Mason digs into this vintage Highland Park 18yo.
A brand-new, flagship core range release from a big brand is not as common as we might think, but the Dramface crew are genuinely excited by this new 12yo from Glen Scotia. Did they read the room?
Continuing our Friday cocktail theme, Murdo bottle swaps to try a take on a somewhat famous whisky mixed drink: the Smokey Cokey with Lagavulin Distilller’s Edition. The whisky’s reviewed too, ‘course.
Our cocktail shenanigans continue, but not without reviewing the whisky itself first. Ainsley brings us a Claret Snap, his own take on the Whisky Sour, using the acclaimed Uncle Nearest 100º Proof.
Murdo considers the gamble each time we purchase a bottle of something new - the gamble of value. Even when he reaches out to a Dramface peer for this Star Hill Farm, he can’t be assured a good deal.
You’ve asked we do more of these, despite samples being a hot topic at Dramface. Well this time it’s sample-debutant Charlie’s turn with a set of minis from the Decadent Drinks June outturn. How will he get on?
Were old blends better? Ainsley snags an old export blend and compares it to five contemporary scotch blends available to him in France. The results are revealing. It does not go well.
The plastic stag of Dalmore 18yo is in the crosshairs as Charlie revisits an old friend, one from a time before he was sullied by ‘informed’ opinions, community ‘consensus’ and, well, possibly much better whiskies.
With three Longrow expressions as company, and in a reflective mood, Drummond looks back on his first days living in Scotland as an ex-pat American. He remembers one of his influential coaches in Scottish life - and whisky.
A Dramface first - a donation from the community! Also a first for Ally Mann; reviewing an English single malt. He admits to a short hiatus from whisky too, and remarks on the positives of taking a break.
Archie takes us back to his life as a musician as he reflects on the pre-digital era and missed connections. He’s helped along by a Connections release from North Star Spirits, this time the Islay edition.
Hoping for the best, but fearing the worst, Archie picks up a high-volume bottle for the masses - a Kirkland Highland Malt Whisky 15yo at 46% . On the face of it great value. But, is it?
Broddy gathers seven bottles of SMOS Reserve Cask Small Batch releases in a single mega review. He justifies his scoring for each while dropping a bombshell of heresy about oatcakes.
Charlie picks up three blends from the past - his own past - and dips in to see what he was missing. A Chivas Regal 12yo from the 1970s alongside an old Johnnie Walker Swing and a 1980s Teachers.
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.
Through chasing whatever whiskies he can explore, Ogilvie notices a lost-in-translation scenario between bourbon and malt. He wonders why this lauded Penelope Wheated is so… simple.
In a particularly fun and relatable piece, Ally shares the challenges at home of juggling the transition away from his over-accumulation and the onset of Storage Wars. A Wolfburn No.270 is in the glass.
Archie happens upon a ‘distillery’ he’s never heard of. This ‘Shieldaig’ turns out to be a branded malt, which is fine. It has a purpose. Just like Dramface, which he also wants to discuss a little.
Drummond returns from a short hiatus with an insight into a trait that he’s come to accept; the need to pause and make time for self-care. A trio of Cadenhead’s Bunnahabhain helps of course.
Once more, Wally’s weary brain is faced with a whisky he doesn’t understand. In the end he wonders if the odd presentation of The Borders’ Right As Rain release is all to do with it being too cheap.
Ogilvie senses impostor syndrome. But he’s made of strong stuff and plods on regardless, doing a great job of sharing his thoughts on the September outturn from Decadent Drams for us all.
It takes a trip far away, with too little whisky, to make Charlie reflect on how lucky he is to live so close to the source. With a Johnnie Walker Double Black, he sees that Scotland is, actually, a great place.
In a follow up to yesterday’s serendipitous collaborative review, we interrogate the purpose and provenance of Nikka’s Coffey Malt. It’s something of an odd fish that we seem to, oddly, appreciate.
The Colonials try to find a good bottle they can review as a collaboration. This is harder than you might imagine, given regional availability, but they settle on an enigma: Nikka’s Coffey Grain.
Broddy spots a tall bottle with appealing specs; 16 years and all ex-bourbon. He’s in. Glenmorangie too. Expecting an amplified 12yo, he’s left, not for the first time, rueing unmet expectations.
A shipping miscommuniqué sees various Dramface team members end up with whisky they didn’t expect. This time it’s Glasgow’s 1770 Constantia and it means three can join in on the review.
Charlie digs out four somewhat forgotten blends from his cupboard to revisit them, all the while realising they all have a story - and a good reason for being there.
A memorable label was etched into Ogilvie’s mind & one day he finally found a St George’s Baller; an American ode to Japanese whisky. Therein he discovers one of his most challenging pours he’s ever tried.
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?
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.
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’.
When the Tobermory Distillery Halo Effect kicks in and Innes bursts out his wallet for a whisky that, in the end, has him asking "When is too much sherry cask influence a problem?"
As Murdo tells tales of travel and opening minds, he shares his take on three very rare and curious 'whiskies', while taking us through his life-long dream realised: a trip to North Korea.
Self-declared Tomatin fanboy Broddy has a suspicion that we’re being fleeced; that quality is dropping and folk are being taken advantage of. Today, it’s poor ol’ Tomatin in his sights.
After being ruined for whisky in Campbeltown, Murdo promises his wife to not mention whisky for an entire European holiday. Only for her to lead him to La Maison Du in Paris, and a bottle of Vilanova.
It’s been said malt and virgin oak don’t work. Broddy grabs a Glen Garioch and a Deanston Cask Strength for a side by side. There’s a clear winner, even if is scoring is a little less clear on this one.
A brand new whisky appears, from a brand new Lowland distillery, and Wally barely noticed it. Fully natural and £45 too. Time to have a look into Edinburgh’s whisky renaissance.
Broddy and Aengus team up to review some of the last remaining liquid from Canadian ghost distillery Potter’s. This bottling is a 22yo from Great Plains with a 5yr finish in cognac.
Our resident Irishman Hamish takes a St Patrick’s Day tour through Waterford’s Exploration Series peated tasting set, and finds enough of a surprise to think Irish peated is under-appreciated. ☘️
After being challenged with a blind pour, Broddy gives the much misaligned Bowmore 15yo another chance. After gaining a reputation of being poorly handled in official bottles, this could be a rare uptick.
A self-declared lover of anything Linkwood, even Murdo has to admit that sometimes it is possible to find something you don’t enjoy - despite expecting to. Case in point - a 10yo Signatory Linkwood.
The Colonials try to find a good bottle they can review as a collaboration. This is harder than you might imagine, given regional availability, but they settle on an enigma: Nikka’s Coffey Grain.
We take a break from our summer, erm, break, to bring an epic team Dramface pile-on for the Thompson Brothers’ Mystery Malt Series No.2. Let’s see if we all pay attention to the try-it-blind memo this time.
Were old blends better? Ainsley snags an old export blend and compares it to five contemporary scotch blends available to him in France. The results are revealing. It does not go well.
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.
Charlie digs out four somewhat forgotten blends from his cupboard to revisit them, all the while realising they all have a story - and a good reason for being there.
Probably the most under-the-radar of all scotch single malts, yet it’s been around long enough to produce a 10yo. Charlie made a pilgrimage to the most westerly of them all: Abhainn Dearg. Worth it?
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.
Despite appearances, we don’t put real effort into giving Macallan a hard time at Dramface, the truth is, they’re taking care of things themselves. Nick throws a huff at The Harmony Rich Cacao.
It’s been weeks since Murdo joined the fun in Glasgow, but he’s still buzzing about all the fun; and the people who have become friends since. He reminisces over two Springbank Cage prizes.
Upon discovering Borders’ under-the-radar inaugural release for £35, Fletch gets excited, but is immediately disappointed and takes a moment to offer some ‘feedback’. Oh dear.
When we love whisky so much, it’s hard to be brutal about some of the obvious negatives. Yet sometimes, when things are clearly wrong, we just have to call it out. This decision was not taken lightly.
Fletch is trying hard to find a nice, special occasion whisky but, in another fit of disappointment, he’s reminded instead of a childhood movie that still haunts him today.
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. It’s one of Fletch’s favourites; Deanston. Looking for something that the Tequila cask has imparted, he compares it to a similarly insipid Tequila cask blend.
Fletcher finds himself pondering this Blended Malt and, feeling like he’s being forced to make cocktails with it, he stubbornly judges it neat. Redemption? Erm… no.
Itching to get his curious whisky face back on, Dougie heads to his local purveyor of whisky dreams. Running on nothing more than excitement and seat-of-his-pants selection, we’d like to tell you he lucked out, but, alas, no.
How can Wally admit to loving a bottle and yet score it 3/10? It’s complex, but in this case he thinks Diageo have made it a big, confusing, opaque and cynical mess - for retailers and punters.
The appeal of a lesser-seen and budget Islay official single malt is too much for Hamish to resist. His experience of Kilchoman’s core ranges has him excited, but the Loch Gruinart leaves him wanting.
Taking a broad view of the rapidly expanding Australian whisky scene, Tyree delivers a snapshot with four Aussie single malts, and almost uses the full gamut of our scoring to do so.
After giving Ardbeg’s latest Committee Release a kicking, Tyree reached out to Adamh, who kicked it harder. The bonus review refocusses on positivity but Ardbeg need to do better than this for £120
Everyone is going to need to get a whole lot more discerning.
An understandable favourite, but lacks depth and character
Whisky ‘bargains’ come at a price
Perfect bottle design. Watery, inert whisky.
PX runs rampant with kitchen spices over an immature spirit.
Punk’s not dead, but Ardcore is.
A distant, hugely disappointing descendent of greatness.
More interesting than the core range, but we need more.
Mason has such a case of disappointed-ness. he can barely bring himself to review the bottle. At €140 though, he feels compelled to warn everyone that this - isn’t good. A 2007 Dalmore in the glass.
Were old blends better? Ainsley snags an old export blend and compares it to five contemporary scotch blends available to him in France. The results are revealing. It does not go well.
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.
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.
After some early encouragement into the whisky scene via friends and Macallan, Murdo persists with a bottle of the Night on Earth Seasonal Release, only to discover it’s a stinker.
Usually a gentle type, the spectre of a bad experience from Ogilvie’s past rears its head to have him reaching for the warning klaxon. Do not buy this. A rare 2/10 on Dramface.
Trash or treasure? Well, that depends hugely on the whisky, but also very much upon who we are and what we like. This is certainly Broddy’s trash, so is it Wally’s treasure? Strap in.
A disappointed Drummond was tempted by a hefty discount on a bottle of JW Green, only to be shocked at how 15 year old malt could be neutered in such away.
This may push you back to your scotch
Looks fantastic, sounds fantastic, is very much not fantastic
Were old blends better? Ainsley snags an old export blend and compares it to five contemporary scotch blends available to him in France. The results are revealing. It does not go well.
When we love whisky so much, it’s hard to be brutal about some of the obvious negatives. Yet sometimes, when things are clearly wrong, we just have to call it out. This decision was not taken lightly.