Thompson Bros Circumstance 3yo
With so much choice for enthusiasts to explore today, our canny - and occasionally miserly - Hamish is drawn to a bargain Thompson Bros Circumstance that has the airwaves chattering.
Glasgow 1770 Cognac Cask
After not really trying much Lowland whisky, Hamish notes that today he's spoiled for choice. But what is Lowland? He sits with another Glasgow Small Batch release and Fergus joins in.
Glasgow 1770 Tokaji Cask
A triple review of a recent Glasgow Small Batch cask strength bargain; whisky provided by the distillery for Hamish and Fergus, but Doog buys his own. An interesting three-way take.
Nc’Nean Rum Cask
Drummond, Ramsay and Hamish team up on a Nc’Nean British Rum Cask release, only to end up unintentionally positing the question; how much should a single cask of this age cost?
Seven Sons Blended Duo
Hamish not only celebrates the ability to follow the birth of new distilleries, with these 8 Doors releases he enjoys how open and accessible they are too.
Balmenach 9yo - SMWS 48.156
All it took was a strange word and a stranger distillery for Hamish to take a punt on the lesser-seen Balmenach, arguably one of the most obscure - despite its scale and cracking, weighty malt.
Shortcross Malt & Pot Still Duo
Faced with a sea of repetitive, dull, expensive and uninspired Irish whiskey releases, a frustrated Hamish searches for a spark of inspiration to celebrate St Patrick’s and beyond.
Lochlea Fallow Edition
After some epiphany moments sipping Lochlea with pals, Hamish charges out to buy a bottle, only to ponder whether it’s the whisky or the company that makes the best whisky memories.
Old Forester 1920 - Prohibition Style
Finally snagging himself an Old Forester 1920, Hamish wonders why there aren’t more nods to the past in today’s whisky making excitement. As he ponders, he dives into his Glencairn time machine and skips back 100 years to US Prohibition time.
Waterford All Smoke No Mirrors
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. ☘️
Watt Whisky Outturn Winter 2023
Dramface takes on a six bottle outturn from Watt Whisky, it’s a team effort. Two single malts, a blended malt, a blend, a single grain and a curious Bas Armagnac. No wonder the images are blurry.
Linkwood Duo
Finding independent bottlers slightly intimidating at first, Hamish get’s hooked on Linkwood during a whisky trip and discovers indy Linkwoods online, at auction and everywhere.
Port Askaig Cask Strength
A team review is required around a new take on Elixir’s Port Askaig series and their first Cask Strength Small Batch. Wally leads with a deep dive into why we’re not drinking enough. Apparently.
Glen Garioch - 11yo Independents
As part of a ‘team building exercise’ Hamish is invited to stretch his olfactory senses in a structured test. His colleagues - knowing he’s a whisky reviewer - determine that he’ll “boss it”. Well, did he? You know the answer…dontcha?
Kilchoman Loch Gruinart
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.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Knob Creek 9yo Small Batch
Shuffling through airports is a thing once more for Hamish. At travel retail, he dodges the aisles of Scotch and Irish dullness to plump for some bourbon exploration - in litre bottles.
Shortcross Rye & Malt Cask Strength
What at first seemed like an expensive souvenir from a distillery visit required a bottle split between Archie and Hamish. They soon realise with 66% ABV and incredible depth of flavour they should’ve maybe grabbed one each.
Bruichladdich Bere Barley 2012
Mindful of taking time out for the little things such as a nice dram, but for also the bigger things in life like looking after ourselves, Hamish sinks into the 2012 Bere Barley edition from Bruichladdich.
Lagavulin 16yo
With four separate Dramface appraisals, we uncover why this Lagavulin 16yo has been such a powerful ambassador for whisky, and the reasons why that can no longer be.
Matthew Adams - Bruichladdich & Strathdearn
Hamish collects a couple of auction picks and worries he’s been scammed.