Features
Some topics are lofty and require deep thought, others may be trivial yet still occupy a curious mind. Most are enhanced by a glass of amber light.
Here we’ll share our thoughts and insight into whisky, it’s larger landscape as well as the Dramface environment.
Glasgow Whisky Festival 2024
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.
Whisky & Wine 101
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.
Time to Wake Up
After the devastating export figures issued recently by the SWA, scotch faces turbulent seas ahead. Fletcher asks hard questions about greed, strategy and the potential of a whisky ocean.
The Blender Files: Michael Henry
Arthur continues his exploration to better understand a little more about industry roles, specifically the whisky makers. This time, for the third in the series, it’s the alchemist of Loch Lomond Group Michael Henry and The Blender Files.
Cadenhead’s Warehouse Tasting
After last week’s tales of a morning in Campbeltown blending his own whisky at Cadenhead’s, Dougie tackles the afternoon by way of their warehouse tasting. Stamina, plot twists and drams a-plenty.
Cadenhead’s Blending Lab Experience
Dougie’s annual swashbucking diversion to uncover the whisky treats of Scotland’s West Coast this time takes him back to Campbeltown, where he signs up for Cadenhead’s Blending Lab. So vivid you’ll swear you were there.
The Scale of Modern Scotch Whisky
A thought piece from Ramsay, as he considers the expansion in scotch whisky production in the last decade, he decides to try to put a number on it. It’s a lot.
The Blender Files: Scott Adamson
In Arthur’s fascination to understand a little more about industry roles, he’s reaching out to the folk on the front lines. This is Scott Adamson of Tomatin & Cù Bòcan, the second in his series of The Blender Files.
Fife Whisky Festival 2024
Not for the first time, Doog brings us a breathless and vivid summary of a truly brilliant grass-roots festival and a perfect whisky day, but this time he’s on the inside.
The Colour of Whisky
In an examination of what is permitted and what is not when it comes to additives in scotch whisky, Fletcher laments the loss of an old friend; paxarette.
The Blender Files: Jack Lowrie
In Arthur’s fascination to understand a little more about industry roles, he’s reaching out to the folk on the front lines. This is Jack Lowrie of Dornoch, the first in his series of The Blender Files. If you like it, let him know, he’s busying up others!
It’s the people, stupid.
What is it that makes whisky such a blast? Well, Fletcher thinks it’s the very thing that is currently being undervalued and under appreciated and everyone at Dramface agrees. We think you will too.
Keeping up with the Newborns
In a follow-up pice to his “Who Will Buy All This Scotch Whisky?”, Fletch asks “Who Will Buy All This New Whisky?” Every bit as hard-hitting, he shares his concerns for the newborns.
Who will buy all this Scotch Whisky?
In considering the sheer amount of scotch whisky as we breach 2024, Fletcher crunches the numbers, tastes the wind, senses the trends and discovers things are woefully out of kilter.
Team Dramface - Highlights Reel of 2023
Team Dramface gather for a last-minute reflection on their own personal 2023’s as well as their takes on being part of this little spot in the Whiskyverse. Happy Christmas from all of us!
Glasgow Festival Weekend 2023
Whisky festivals and what they actually mean. Dougie’s breathless resume that reads like a brilliant mental health awareness post for those who have yet to discover what it’s actually alway about.
Peat and Sustainability
In trying to find answers to increasingly asked questions on the sustainability of peat use in scotch whisky, Arthur reaches out to a few industry voices to bolster his own ‘digging’.
Finally. An Irish whiskey for me.
Feeling jaded with the perfunctory and cookie-cutter style of whiskey tours he’s experienced so far, Hamish is excited to have a local craft distillery making the kind of whisky to inspire excitement in Irish whiskey’s future.
Broddy’s Whisky Auction Guide
Broddy is located in Canada’s whisky-rich province of Alberta, but it doesn’t stop him casting his net further to international auctions. This is his guide for anyone considering the whisky auction game.
Playing Whiskymaker
Since he’s critiquing whisky, Broddy decides to attempt his own home blends. The goal, to make a sherry bomb, a bourbon bomb, a better JW Black and a better Dalmore Port Wood. It takes him six months.