Welcome to Dramface
Fiercely independent, daily whisky reviews, news and views.
In his debut piece, we get to know Kenzie a little through his quieter pursuits; walking on rainy days and meeting others who enjoy the same. In his flask today is a Tawny Port Cask Caol Ila from Murray McDavid.
Due to recent fortunes, Archie has struggled to breathe. His work needs attention and whisky has suffered. It takes something as big and punchy as this Ardnahoe Chairmanβs Selection to bring him up for air.
After travelling with a only few select picks, Charlie quickly became frustrated that he didnβt have his usual selection. He realises he needs the thrill of choice. Clydesideβs brand new 8yo in the glass. Wally joins in too.
Earie lost an old flame, 25 years ago he fell for Laphroaig, only for things to inevitable change. Now, with this newly envisioned 15yo, can he renew the spark?
Vanilla. Some distilleries are just a bit like that. Charlie continues his Official vs Indy series with Aberfeldy and struggles to define what itβs all about. A Decadent Drinks is up against an official 21yo Madeira cask.
Mason isnβt a cat-lover. Nor, it seems, is he ready to be seduced by this young Glasgow 1770 8yo Peated. Maybe, however, with a little time, anyoneβs mind can be changed.
Charlie falls in love with a blended malt. One that he loves so much heβs even tried to make a version of his own at home. With this Cadenheadβs Warehouse special, heβs wondering whatβs in the char.
Wally yearns for the 1990s. He thinks whisky was better and living was easier. But there are some glimmers of hope for our futures, in whisky at least. He counts this new Benromach 12yo as one of them.
This time around itβs Charlieβs turn to armour up and attempt a game of whisky guesswork. Itβs the Thompson Brothersβ Mystery Malts Series 6 in the glass this time - two of them. How does our Chic do?
Despite being a fan of some of his local distilleries, Broddy missed the appearance of an official Alberta Whisky Act. Not slow to cash-in, Costco got together with some distilleries - including this tasty Anohka.
Earie is eager to slip into whisky season. Happily, a birthday gift seems to be the perfect fit to assist in bringing the orange and red-tinged seasonal vibes. This time, itβs a peated Glenturret - Ruadh Mhor - from North Star.
Continuing his series, this time Charlie visits Balvenie. While the outcome might be - for us - expected, it lights his interest in yet another distillate that is usually otherwise obscured from us. A bonus from Kininvie appears too.
Looking back on a plethora of inaugural bottlings from all these new distilleries in recent years has Gilbert realising itβs hard to keep up. This time itβs Jacktonβs turn with their RAER Inaugural.
When times are tougher and the purse strings are pulled tighter on the whisky budget, Drummond is pleased to benefit a little from the Dramface Deflection System. Six from Adelphi in the hopper today!
After following in whiskyβs footsteps for many years, Fergus is shocked when he stumbles over some early-days tasting notes. Heβs come a long way, but is he up to Holyroodβs Pitch?
Ardbeg seems to be doing things in a fair way these days, or is Wally just being his usual, far-too-generous, optimistic self? Heβs got the 15yo Trudernish in the glass and he seems to like it.
In Charlieβs distillery deep-dives and comparisons, the indies have always won out. However, could a naturally coloured official Glenrothes turn that around? He tries two of them alongside two Cadenheadβs releases..
Toothache is a terrible thing at the best of times, but when youβre living on a remote island with no immediate care, Doog learns just how tough it can be. Can a magical Ardnamurchan help?
Ogilvie leads as he, Archie and Eallair team up on a duo of special releases from NcβNean. Supplied through Nick, each of them have a go at Edition 4 β Lemon Meadowβ and 5 βMalted Teacakeβ.
Commenting on something of a modern phenomenon, Fletcher considers the official outlets that do their own βindieβ bottlings. A perfect example is Glasgow and their Port Cask 7yo.
Murdo knows what to look out for while travelling. Some of the things heβs really keen to try just donβt make it to his native Hong Kong. Like these Wire Works souvenirs he grabbed from The Whisky Exchange.
Earie has been chewing hard on wood vs spirit and how it comes into play, especially at a young age. He shares his thoughts over a Glasgow 1770 6yo Sherry Cask Matured, Batch 01.
In an attempt to get back to basics, Archie rekindles some fun in whisky with the assistance of the playful and bright fruit-punch from Compass Box: their Nectarosity release.
Having never climbed Ben Rinnes, Charlie decides to clamber through three - make that four(ish) - expressions of the Benrinnes spirit to see what itβs all about. Official vs Indy once more!
Wally has a new obsession, which is troubling because it was sold out in a day and heβs fast getting through the only bottle he has. Bruichladdichβs Greener Still hits the spot, just as heβd hoped.
It turns out Murdo is an anxious traveller. He reaches for a pre-flight dram - one that he hoped would be a nice replacement for his loved Glendronach 15yo. Did the Tamdhu 15yo do the trick?
Dramface drops a fresh review most weekdays.
Scroll, search or browse our reviews.
In his debut piece, we get to know Kenzie a little through his quieter pursuits; walking on rainy days and meeting others who enjoy the same. In his flask today is a Tawny Port Cask Caol Ila from Murray McDavid.
Due to recent fortunes, Archie has struggled to breathe. His work needs attention and whisky has suffered. It takes something as big and punchy as this Ardnahoe Chairmanβs Selection to bring him up for air.
After travelling with a only few select picks, Charlie quickly became frustrated that he didnβt have his usual selection. He realises he needs the thrill of choice. Clydesideβs brand new 8yo in the glass. Wally joins in too.
Earie lost an old flame, 25 years ago he fell for Laphroaig, only for things to inevitable change. Now, with this newly envisioned 15yo, can he renew the spark?
Vanilla. Some distilleries are just a bit like that. Charlie continues his Official vs Indy series with Aberfeldy and struggles to define what itβs all about. A Decadent Drinks is up against an official 21yo Madeira cask.
Mason isnβt a cat-lover. Nor, it seems, is he ready to be seduced by this young Glasgow 1770 8yo Peated. Maybe, however, with a little time, anyoneβs mind can be changed.
Charlie falls in love with a blended malt. One that he loves so much heβs even tried to make a version of his own at home. With this Cadenheadβs Warehouse special, heβs wondering whatβs in the char.
Wally yearns for the 1990s. He thinks whisky was better and living was easier. But there are some glimmers of hope for our futures, in whisky at least. He counts this new Benromach 12yo as one of them.
This time around itβs Charlieβs turn to armour up and attempt a game of whisky guesswork. Itβs the Thompson Brothersβ Mystery Malts Series 6 in the glass this time - two of them. How does our Chic do?
Despite being a fan of some of his local distilleries, Broddy missed the appearance of an official Alberta Whisky Act. Not slow to cash-in, Costco got together with some distilleries - including this tasty Anohka.
Earie is eager to slip into whisky season. Happily, a birthday gift seems to be the perfect fit to assist in bringing the orange and red-tinged seasonal vibes. This time, itβs a peated Glenturret - Ruadh Mhor - from North Star.
Continuing his series, this time Charlie visits Balvenie. While the outcome might be - for us - expected, it lights his interest in yet another distillate that is usually otherwise obscured from us. A bonus from Kininvie appears too.
Looking back on a plethora of inaugural bottlings from all these new distilleries in recent years has Gilbert realising itβs hard to keep up. This time itβs Jacktonβs turn with their RAER Inaugural.
When times are tougher and the purse strings are pulled tighter on the whisky budget, Drummond is pleased to benefit a little from the Dramface Deflection System. Six from Adelphi in the hopper today!
After following in whiskyβs footsteps for many years, Fergus is shocked when he stumbles over some early-days tasting notes. Heβs come a long way, but is he up to Holyroodβs Pitch?
Ardbeg seems to be doing things in a fair way these days, or is Wally just being his usual, far-too-generous, optimistic self? Heβs got the 15yo Trudernish in the glass and he seems to like it.
In Charlieβs distillery deep-dives and comparisons, the indies have always won out. However, could a naturally coloured official Glenrothes turn that around? He tries two of them alongside two Cadenheadβs releases..
Toothache is a terrible thing at the best of times, but when youβre living on a remote island with no immediate care, Doog learns just how tough it can be. Can a magical Ardnamurchan help?
Ogilvie leads as he, Archie and Eallair team up on a duo of special releases from NcβNean. Supplied through Nick, each of them have a go at Edition 4 β Lemon Meadowβ and 5 βMalted Teacakeβ.
Commenting on something of a modern phenomenon, Fletcher considers the official outlets that do their own βindieβ bottlings. A perfect example is Glasgow and their Port Cask 7yo.
Listen to Dramface
π
Catch up on the Dramface Podcast
π
Listen to Dramface π Catch up on the Dramface Podcast π
Industry news, PR and shares from elsewhere. We share things that are interesting to us in the hope that they will be of interest to you. If we receive news that doesnβt interest us we mayβ¦umβ¦not.
Kythe Distillery kicks off production marking a new era for old-style Highland distilling
Virginia Distillery Co. Releases Two New Brewerβs Coalition Ale Cask Finished American Single Malts
Fiercely independent,
supported by you
Dramface is free. Membership is optional. It's how you can support independent opinion here and encourage it to thrive. Less than the cost of a magazine. A magazine with no ads, no sponsorships and no paid promotions. Ever. Thank you for considering it.
We share our thoughts and insight into whisky, its larger landscape as well as the Dramface environment.
In a Herculean effort, Broddy recorded his entire 2025 Advent Calendar Adventure with his pals - all done blind. Itβs taken a while to compile it, but it makes for great fun weekend reading. Settle in!
The third and final part of Ainsleyβs βMalternativesβ series arrives. This time around he offers an overview of distilled spirits that include Fruit Brandies and Liqueurs. Another excellent instalment.
Once more, some of the team gather to put forward their stand-out whiskies of 2025. Remember thereβs no other stipulation here other than to have some fun with it. And, if itβs serious, make it serious fun.
Love is the thing. Especially where Glasgow Whisky Festival 2025 is concerned. Dougie shares his annual summary in this double piece covering an entire weekend of whisky-filled joyousness.
Ainsley is back with another cracking βMalternativesβ guide for whisky fans, this time heβs 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.