Even in far-flung California, Archie is landing decent indie bottlings. In a follow up to his Woodrows Foursome, we have a Living Souls Trio: Two Smoky Sevens and a Speyside, all crackers.

Wally tries to blow off the January blues and heads out to a festival; the National Whisky Festival in Glasgow. He unearths lots to be positive about but lands of a terrific and affordable Jane Street Single Malt from Woodrow’s.

Browsing an auction, Earie spots something that has completely passed him by - an all-natural OB Jura, at cask strength. He’s left to wonder whether they were shy about it or was it that he just wasn’t looking hard enough?

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.

The second Ardnahoe in two weeks at Dramface. Maybe it’s going to be another good year for Islay’s newest malt. Charlie evaluates the Skerryvore XX special limited edition from 2025.

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!

Some jobs, such as Ainsley’s, means Christmas is hardly a time of rest; too much work and not enough play. Soon though, a rest and a return to the cabinet finds a Decadent Drinks Old Orkney and a return of the mojo.

Reading this would make you consider we have a recruitment academy. We don’t, but it’s nice to see enthusiastic learning, such as both Dramface & Ardnahoe Cask Strength inspiring our Archie.

While sipping on a Springbank ‘hand-fill’ from the distillery, Murdo considers how it’s the antithesis of the rise in automation and AI we see today, and how those things may affect the drive to learn.

Fletcher leans hard to compare indy bottling to music covers, but he has a point. He feels it’s nicer when the song is a legitimate original creation, like this Bittersweet Symphony from Turntable.

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.

After being refused a visa, Murdo has to switch plans which severely restricts his whisky exploration. No matter, he finds a way to hide from freezing conditions and uncovers a brand new thing - Korean malt.

When aspects of life challenge, Archie has discovered the joy of a walk in the woods. But these are no ordinary woods, and this is tree therapy. He brings along the Glenallachie 10yo Cask Strength.

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.

The rise of NAS arguably came about due to cost, stock and price. But 2026 is different times. Fergus is as relaxed about the price prospects ahead, while enjoying a NAS classic from Glen Scotia.

A new year, a new writer. Debutant Archie sips from Long Beach California and for his first Dramface piece he went for four from Woodrow’s. A Balvenie, Laphroaig, Dailuaine and an Ardna. Nice.

Sometimes, a whisky choice is much more about the moment than the liquid itself. When Ogilvie welcomes a friend of 53 years, he decides to drop the fancies. Inchmurrin 12yo is in the glass.

Broddy exposes everything anyone could want to know about Dramface scoring. In amongst the deep-dive, he shares a hidden gem of a blend, the OSWA nominated Cadenhead’s 7 Stars.

After a completely hectic close to the year, Charlie is really hoping for a very quiet January. Perhaps one where he’ll get the time to sit and ponder his nice finds, such as this Watt Whisky blend.

After a remarkable career, Ogilvie has decided to retire. Not from Dramface, but his real job. By pleasant coincidence he notes that the arrival and departure of his final chapter are marked by AnCnoc’s 12 year old.