Refining his whisky-sights, a measured gamble on the ever-reliable Thompson Brothers connects Tav with a ‘teaspooned’ bottle he’d have to pay double for to grab the branded version.

In digging for obscure treasures, Innes unearths a bottle that’s been abused for 50 years. A Wine Society Mortlach from before most of us were born. Incredible liquid history. How does it taste?

A debut piece by our Friday First writer Mason Mack, who introduces us to his digital native generation and slow-living, through a glass of elegant Dailuaine from Fragrant Drops.

Whisky brings solace and escapism in challenging times. After some fatigue, Earie finds his love of whisky geekery sparked once more. A very good indie Islay from Elixir’s Elements helps out.

Cadenhead’s Original Collection and the Enigma Blends are perhaps the most likely of their releases to be found in the wider marketplace. Ainsley dives in to an entire outturn.

Mining solo, Innes suddenly discovers a whisky club in London and everything changes - until Covid-19 changes everything. This 28yo Cadenhead’s Glen Scotia is from the (very recent) hay days.

It’s not like our Doog to forget his decorum, but a new year’s faux pas leaves him reeling with shame; has he become a whisky snob? He makes good with a Signatory 100 Proof Maybe-Macallan.

Gilbert confesses his music loves and realises music matches mood and moments; a lot like whisky. But does Turntable’s Track 06 - All My Life - live up to the grungie name? Wally chips in too.

Broddy receives a bottle of Auchentoshan’s 12 year old. Spoiler: he absolutely hates it. Yet, he manages to find a way to paint it as a perversely perfect gift: for the readership of Dramface. Hmm.

Never backward about coming forward, Fletcher shares his take on IBs, a popular 100º series as well as Woodrow’s recent reaction to it. All while savouring a cracking James Eadie Mannochmore.

In celebrating a Thompson Brothers creation , Hamish declares his love of Ardmore, a distillery which would be completely ignored if it wasn’t for the Independent Bottlers.

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.