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Through adventures of European culture, Ainsley gives us an insight into taking a break from the intensity of Paris and whisky, before returning to some tasty Holyrood from Fragrant Drops.
While giving a shout out to some domestic American Single Malt, Ogilvie reflects on his peers, parenting, tattoos and… Sexual Chocolate, with Virginia Distilling Co. Brewers coalition in the glass.
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 typically meandering Wally thought piece as he asks himself - based on his perspective and experience, is Springbank’s shiny new 5yo 100º Proof worth the same price level as their 10yo?
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.
After a point, we all struggle to answer “What’s your favourite whisky?” But there’s a worse question. Charlie shares an Inchmurrin fruit bomb from the Thompson Bros & Glasgow’s Good Spirits Co.
Ogilvie finds himself feeling anxious at the Doc’s office before a chance mention of Islay brings the conversation to much more jovial things. Such as this overlooked Hunter Laing Islay Journey.
With so much to choose from, Mason is becoming more picky than ever. When it comes to replacing things he’s already tried, like this Nc’Nean Organic, he’s even pickier.
Broddy shares his thoughts on his three ‘R’ of Dramface: Resilience, Reliability and Relevance. He holds us to account on all three over his favourite world whisky - Millstone. And a tasty looking cocktail too.
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?
Earie is selective when it comes to pals. He likes to hang on to the good ones. like those who’ll pick up a bottle of Loch Lomond Remarkable Alchemy while heading through an airport.
Ogilvie and Charlie team up to tackle an omission in the Dramface archives; Laphroaig’s Quarter Cask. Recognising it’s reliable solidity, they use it to celebrate being smart about life & parenting.
Mason brings a small batch release from Signatory to the table as he considers how something so beautiful can be presented in a vessel so ugly, that he loves it. This one calls for poetry.
Keeping special bottles for occasions that warrant them can become an unnecessary burden on the whisky. Fergus shares a moment where some precious vintage Balblair could be set free.
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.
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.
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.
Having learned from experience, Hughie checks himself when he realises he may be taking whisky, and its analysis, a little too seriously. The antidote? A Cadenhead’s Kilkerran 13yo thank you very much.
In picking up a Distillery Exclusive from Glasgow Distillery to mark it’s new tour offering, Wally asks why so many other exclusives are so expensive for pilgrims buying direct from the source.
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We share our thoughts and insight into whisky, its larger landscape as well as the Dramface environment.
Ainsley is back with another cracking ‘Malternatives’ guide for whisky fans, this time he’s sharing Cognac and Armagnac with three recommendations and a review with Serge. Fascinating stuff!
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.