Joining SMWS requires a membership which, as well as some other IB vagaries, was intimidating to Hamish. Now he wholeheartedly embraces indies but he shares why, until now, he’s never signed up.

If we’re serious about keeping whisky fun; should we really care too much about analysis? Over a Thompson Bros collab with Campervan, Ainsley fights for the case for the blind sofa pour.

After nine years of serious flavour chasing, Innes discusses the typical flavour-arc of a whisky botherer, and hopes this 45yo Signatory can deliver that apparent holy grail of ‘tropical fruit’.

Murdo’s Whisky Monday saga continues; a Tomatin trip then north to Dornoch Castle. Showing remarkable restraint, he returns home to his Thompson Bros 2009 Teaninich 12yo to reminisce.

We tend to avoid politics at Dramface. Ogie does the same at Chez Shaw in NC, USA. But his politically opposed pals visit him with different ideas. Ogie douses them with Scarabus 10. Good job.

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.

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’.

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.

How to convey the breathless experience of the world’s Largest Whisky Show? We send in Ainsley. Who seems to drink the time of his life. Oh, and a lesser-seen Balmenach review, for value.

Murdo is invited to present interesting whiskies to a group of wine lovers, searching for bold flavours and hooks, he makes a slight error skips this beautiful Glentauchers from Signatory.

Tyree returns with some deep thoughts on expertise, enthusiasts, ‘Big Whisky’ and black boxes. Fascinating. He finishes off with a flourish and a beautiful 1990s Benrinnes. Welcome back fella.

Reflecting on the rise of modern blends; Fletcher thinks about the incidental rise of the amateur blender, and tries a few of these newer products up against the benchmark; Johnnie Black 12yo.

Betrayal; that of friends and family, but also the worst kind; that of distilleries! Drummond and Ainsley team up over some peaty Bunnahabhain Staoisha to discuss the fickle relationship.

How can a 1992 Cooley, bottled in 2019, be 11yo? Well, it isn’t. To help us Innes shares his thoughts on not sharing, finding singular focus and stealing time alone, especially with his newborn son.

Two years on from his Indie Bottler feature, Earie sips through four from the recent Dràm Mòr Summer outturn and wonders how much has changed.

Earie has a think about the annual Online Scotch Whisky Awards, premiumisation and why he can only enjoy a delicious Glenrothes through an indie.

The weather isn't enough to dampen Paisley's desire to return to a favourite Linkwood. She thinks it's the canny use of a refill cask that's made this bargain North Star release perfect for any season.

The ever-thoughtful Gilbert left one of these on a shelf, mindful of the greater enjoyment, only to regret it as this Little Brown Dog Campbeltown super-collab slowly disappears.

As autumn swings in and challenges us all to accept the changing of seasons, Fergus sits with two from one of his 'dirty' favourites: Edradour - an Un-chillfiltered vs a Straight from the Cask.

What happens when you win at a whisky auction then don't pay up? Doog finds out. Being something of a sniper these days, he also finds a bargain Glasgow 5yo banger by Finn Thomson.