Wally

TL;DR;

Strength in people, our combined voice and looking out for each other

Before we begin, an acknowledgement that our friends over at Malt have been doing this digest thing for years. It’s only a good idea if it’s copied, right?

The 2023 whisky year has delivered many opportunities and genuinely wondrous moments that I’ll reflect on forever more. Some terrific meet ups and wonderful events that have kept my energy charged and my love for whisky burning. I adore the liquid, but time and time again I’m reminded of its power to bring good people together.

That was very much on display in our wee spot on the internet here. Dramface has grown from strength to strength in 2023 and we’re attracting 50-60% more readership than we did at the beginning of the year. Amazing growth and we’re all very grateful to everyone for spending time here.

Just like getting to know the whisky itself, getting to know the individual writers takes time too; where they are on their journey of experience and discovery, what their preferences are and where they lean in terms of profile. They are also spread all across the globe and their perspectives of whisky in general is valuable to us all. We will continue to grow this team in 2023 if we can. If you’re willing, if you enjoy writing interesting stuff to share about whisky and you enjoy sharing your takes and experiences, please get in touch. Being able to take a straight photo helps too. ;)

In the meantime, it’s my opinion that we are currently living through a dramatic shift in whisky, especially with regard to the consumer side. Our buying patterns are shifting quickly and these will no doubt have a significant effect on things in the new year. Demand and fervour has been attenuated considerably in 2023 and the continuation of this pattern will have producers take actions that will impact our choices and how much they cost in 2024. If I’m correct, and certain, large, dare I say corporate-themed producers offer attractive discounts and tasty temptations, I hope with all my heart that we remember to support those, often smaller, independent producers who chose not to gouge during the crazy times. Money is tight and we’ll go where the value is, no doubt, but this could mean loyalty may be hard to come by. It would be a shame if the fall out of a contraction hurt those with integrity.

That said, I do not think we’ll see a hard ‘crash’. There are more people enjoying good quality whisky than ever before. I simply think they’ll settle with their preferences and they’ll spend less on the crazy, gilt-edged, fomo-laden contrived bottles that are found to often under-deliver. I really hope you find value in the pages of Dramface to help you in your value search and I promise we’ll continue to try to refine and improve our own value offering for you all.

My Dramface highlight of the year? The realisation that the behind-the-scenes team here at Dramface, even when we differ on opinion and preference, are a true team. We’ve become tighter, closer and very settled. We’re looking out for each other, covering each other and we remain evermore committed to making this wee spot on the whisky internet the best it can be.

The team only lost only one member during 2023, our Graeme, who went on to a job in the whisky industry, working for Bruichladdich. We wish him well. He did a great job for us while he was here. Sure, some others have dropped back to focus on professions or family, but they remain here, as grateful as I am for the wonderful camaraderie.

All that remains for a rain and rain and wind-battered Wally to do is to thank all of you for your support, inspiration and participation this last year, especially those who take the step to support us as members, despite very little in return. All of us on the team feel very privileged to be part of this thing and that has so much to do with all of you. I’ll hand you over to them to share a few of their highlights from 2023.

As I do so, thanks to them too; to the wonderful folk that make up team Dramface, my life is richer for knowing you all! WMc

Dougie

TL;DR;

Absolute magic

2023 has been a year full of remarkable moments for me, so when I say it’s really difficult to choose just one, believe me it really, really is.

A founder’s evening at Kingsbarns, two festivals, multiple trips to Glenbeg, Arisaig Highland Games, Campbeltown, AD/Venturer’s club meeting, attending the launch of Maclean’s Nose… a year full of fun. I naturally gravitate towards my day at Glenbeg with Roy because it was a day extracted from whisky myth, but I think my all-round whisky highlight of the year was the Glasgow Whisky Festival weekend.

Festivals are emotionally charged events anyway, the concentrated fizz of group excitement jazzes everyone up to eleventy, and the GWF is the biggest generator around. Meeting Jackie and Hamish IRL for the first time, despite all the zoomers and whatsapps, was phenomenal. Meeting ex-Dramfacer Graeme from Bruichladdich likewise. Chatting to folk as we bumped around Hampden, meeting Tom, The Grail Girls, chatting to Michael Henry, the frenzy of Akbar’s, being booted out of the Bon Accord Special Area for Special People, and Sunday arriving with a second wave of excitement, fun, frolics, Seve sermons with a room full of people, to the very extents that is humanly possible, sharing a collective whisky moment.

Absolute magic. It’s the people. It’s always the people. DC

Gilbert

TL;DR;

Comfort zones are there to be pushed

I have achieved more than I could have imagined this year in both the whisky world and in my personal life, leaving me sat at my desk, completely exhausted but truly content. Not to say there haven't been tough times dotted throughout, but now more than ever, I can see that when times get dark, it makes the lighter moments shine that much brighter.

There is one whisky highlight for me that stands at the top of what truly has been a stand out year for me.

Of course, when you focus on some goals, other elements take a back seat and I will be honest with you, my actual Dramface contributions have been very light on the ground because of it. Currently three or four half-baked rambles await for me to have the time to polish, or completely rewrite into something readable.

All of this makes my pick all the more special, it spills into not only Dramface, not only into whisky, but also personal goals of breaking my routine and doing something out of my comfort zone. My highlight was my long weekend to Glasgow, spanning distillery tours, blind tasting, meet-ups and a pretty super whisky festival.

It started off seeing the waterfall behind Glengoyne distillery, my first experience of a Scotch malt distillery, it truly felt as if a weight was dropped from my shoulders. This may have been exaggerated by the fact it felt like the first time I removed my backpack after around 12 hours travelling.

While floating on air for the rest of the trip, I was able to glide between distillery tours, great food, trying extraordinary drams and my favourite part, being in person with other people; shaking hands, clinking glasses and embracing so many people who truly are not just whisky friends, but friends.

I chatted with Dramfacers, distillers, brand managers, barflies, whiskytubers, even a half an hour delightful discussion with a kind lady on a Glasgow bus. I love whisky, but I love this whisky community even more.

Of course the final star on top of a trip of a lifetime, coming home to my fantastic family, greeted with snotty cuddles and so many wonderful drawings from my two year old daughter and wonderful wife. To confirm, both the snot and doodles were welcome home gifts from my toddler.

Now, lets see what we can achieve in 2024.

Cheers to you all. GG

Ogilvie

TL;DR;

The busiest of years where everything changed

Time flies, my friends. It seems as if it was just yesterday that I submitted my Bunnahabhain Moine PX review which wound up being the last Dramface review of 2022.

What were my whisky memories for 2023? So many memories – from the many bottle hunts with Mrs. Shaw (my wonderful and supportive better half), exasperating and funny tales caused by my son Finn, the laughter and rebel yell from my buddy Lou, to my first foray into whisky auctions, chatting about whisky while getting tattoos, whisky hunting in England, and whisky gifts for a relocation of home and jobs for Mr. and Mrs. Shaw – it is remarkable to take stock of the year gone by.

Of all of the great whisky-related blessings that I recall from 2023, however, there are two that stand out.

The first one to mention is the Baltimore trip organized for my whisky club. This was memorable because it encapsulated all that whisky brings to the table for me. A diverse group came together from various spots on a map, and met in Baltimore. We converged for camaraderie, laughter, chasing flavor, sharing whisky and whisky moments, and enjoying each other’s company. Huge laughs and an amazing weekend of depth, connection, and appreciation. A huge thanks to the folk at Sagamore Spirits and, of course, Charlie Stein and the folk at Old Line Distillery. Tremendous.

Second, I must speak of the bond that, behind the scenes, connects us writers at Dramface. A unique and special bond largely sustained by Whats App as the Dramface writers are from all over the world – Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Belgium, Canada, the United States, Continental Europe and Australia. I am utterly grateful to be part of this eclectic and amazing bunch.

Aside from the writing, we continually text each other with the same basic premise as was my Baltimore whisky club trip: a group coming together from different places across the map and converge on Whats App (or for the occasional Zoom meeting) for camaraderie, laughter, chasing flavour, sharing whisky and whisky moments, and enjoying each other’s company. Huge laughs and amazing depth, connection, and appreciation. I am not sure words can adequately relay the depth of caring and appreciation everyone here has for each other. Whisky has brought us together, and I am truly humbled to be among them.

And this brings me to a huge “thank you” to all of the Dramface readers and contributors. I can talk about the Dramface writers and folk behind the scene – I can and do often! – but the DF wheel doesn’t turn without you all; the readers online. The folk that take the time to leave comments after reviews and articles. The listeners to the podcasts. The folk that call in with input for the podcast. Your engagement and input is what keeps us going, and I know I can speak for all of the Dramfacers when I say we are all looking forward to the continued and growing whisky dialogue in ‘24. A slightly crazy Glaswegian is fond of saying, “you are dearly loved” . . . and that is well said.

Cheers, and thank you, to you all. OS

Earie

TL;DR;

I’ve grown from being a content contributor to being part of a team

When the seeds were planted in the virtual ‘hangout’ space where team Dramface tends to spend more time than most of our real life employers would be happy with, I pretty much knew there and then that it might prove to be a challenge not to sound like an echo chamber when writing a ‘hindsight’ piece on 2023 and summarise what we’re thankful for.

After all, and despite the whisky industry seemingly cruising steadily but inevitably towards a saturation point of sorts, 2023 has been a great year when it comes to whisky related encounters and events.

Dramface itself has managed to establish itself as a buzzing little hive with plenty of interaction between the contributors and you, our dear readership. It’s simply wonderful to witness how this whole thing has turned into a two way conversation with encouraging, acknowledging and critical feedback and interaction. Up to the point where I feel that the often very lively comment section has become an integral part of each and every review or feature.. Sharing one’s two cents on all things whisky is fun and all, but it’s the comments and feedback that lift things to another level. So, sincerely: thank you, thank you, thank you!

When talking about personal highlights, I feel it’s obvious one occasion immediately springs to mind. Getting to meet up with Broddy to share a simply mesmerising experience at the Zuidam distillery easily cruised its way to what otherwise would have been a great year in its own right.

Getting to chat and discuss all things whisky with the Dramface team on socials is absolutely wonderful, and we can only be grateful for the fact such technology is available to us. Especially considering how far spread and apart all of us live. That said, nothing beats shaking hands, talking and tasting whisky in real life. I am forever grateful to Broddy, for it was his ‘cheekiness’ that allowed it to happen. It illustrates perfectly what I mean with the TLDR caption.

I, and I feel I’m speaking for many of my fellow Dramface contributors here as well, have grown from being someone just dropping a contribution to the editors once in a while, to becoming part of a fun and great team. As we’re knocking on for two years, Dramface is, in my opinion, starting to resemble a well-oiled machine, although I’m pretty sure some of our editors and mechanics would beg to differ when they’re burning the midnight oil sorting out our ramblings and editing them into something actually readable.

I feel privileged, lucky and honoured to be a part of it. Long may it continue! EA

Drummond

TL;DR;

Slowing down buying, speeding up connections

As I blearily look up from my laptop, my face illuminated from below by the low glow, campfire-flashlight-ghost-story-like, and rub my eyes after finishing my last bit of work for the year, I look forward to a couple of weeks of . . . well, nothing.

At the end of these couple of weeks off I want to be able to parrot one of my cinema heroes – Peter Gibbons in Office Space – and proclaim “I did nothing. And it was everything I dreamed it would be.”

Ok, it won’t be nothing, because no matter how you cut it a trip from bonnie Scotland to the big-sky American Midwest is a pretty long way from “nothing.” A long journey, in lots of ways. From “dinnae” to “doncha know,” from “och” to “ope,” and “dreich” to “druthers.” A visit back “home” – as an expat Yankee living in Scotland for a decade now, “home” very much has multiple complicated meanings – to visit family, old friends, and a break from whisky.

It comes at the right time, too, as it’s been too long since I’ve taken some time away from it. Breaks do our palates and our livers good, and act as a brake and stress-test to check and ensure that everything is under our control. It just means those first few drams when I come back will taste that much deeper and more satisfying.

What are my 2023 whisky highlights, you ask? It’s a no-brainer; travels and events that involved meeting like-minded whisky folks like yourselves. Namely, various tastings, the Fife Festival in February and Glasgow’s Festival in November, and my first pilgrimage to Islay in October. The photo is from the highlight of that visit, on our trip to the literal end-of-the-road on the remote northern coast of Islay; our visit to Bunnahabhain.

A holy of whisky holies for me. We had an incredible sunny day to soak in that stunning site and wonderful warehouse drams looking out from the distillery across the Sound of Islay and out to the open sea, all overseen by the summits of Jura across the water. My distillery bottle purchases reflect a pattern already intentionally started which will continue into 2024; buying much less than I have the past two years, and focusing on buying quality over quantity, and mostly bottles I’d like to review for Dramface.

The trips, the festivals, the tastings, and chats with the cast of fabulous characters that populate this community has made for such an enjoyable time. And, I’m thankful to be a very small part of this thing called Dramface, and the buzzing hive that is the writers’ WhatsApp group.

It’s been wonderful to be a part of and to meet fellow writers and whisky botherers from all around the world. I’m thankful to be able to share my journey here and to hear about yours in all of your comments.

This thing doesn’t exist without you all. A genuinely sincere and heartfelt thank you for supporting Dramface and what we’re about. We quite literally could not do it without you. See you next year - slàinte mhath, y’all! DD

Ramsay

TL;DR;

More of the same in 2024?

2023 has been an interesting year for whisky. We have seen the continuing renaissance of the blended whisky sector that is catering for the enthusiast. Adelphi’s Maclean’s Nose, Thompson Brothers’ TB/BSW and Turntable Spirits range of blends, amongst others, continue to show us that it isn’t all about the malts.

Prices have noticeably softened at auction, which has resulted in some whiskies that were previously hoovered up by flippers sitting on the shelves a bit longer, and bargains aplenty being snapped up by the drinkers bidding online. This looks likely to continue into 2024.

On a personal note, I started my time at Dramface with. my first review in the opening week of 2023, and it has been great being part of a group of writers so passionate about whisky, with some truly interesting and thought provoking articles being written by the team. It’s without doubt the highlight of my year in whisky.

As for the liquid, two of my highlights have been from one small distillery in Campbeltown, with Kilkerran’s February release of 8 year old cask strength ex-bourbon, and slightly later in the year with the latest batch of their 16 year old. I was also lucky to get the opportunity to buy a bottle of the discontinued Glencadam 18. Sipping the neck pour dram on a warm summer evening, whilst watching the sun setting over the Atlantic ocean was magic. Then Angus Dundee disappointingly decided that £135 was the right price for the new release, and that went out of reach for most of us.

They’re far from alone in the continuing premiumisation of the 18+ age statement, but thankfully, they do give us very good options at lower prices that we can get enthusiastically involved with. Loch Lomond continue their ascendancy, and the distillery editions have been a big whisky highlight of the past twelve months. Then there was a late comer to the party from a non-scotch whisky, with Indri’s Trini and their Dru cask strength release giving me a kick up the backside to realise what I have heard many others saying, that Scotland is far from the only place producing truly excellent whisky. I still have plenty to learn.

As for what 2024 has in store, sadly I am going to be very boring and suggest I expect little to change. The economy is fairly stable at the moment after some turbulence in recent years following the pandemic and the outbreak of war in Ukraine, and if that continues as predicted, then I see no big changes. There is a glut of whisky out there, either maturing in casks or bottled in glass, which will likely come to a head at some point, but I’m not sure 2024 is the year for that, but we’re getting there.

Whatever happens, there will always be good whisky at good prices. Stand firm if you see something that is overpriced. There’s tons of whisky out there.

I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas, new year, and a prosperous 2024 sharing whisky with friends.

Look after yourself, and each other. RT

Aengus

TL;DR;

Levelling up in life and whisky

I have a lot to be grateful for this year with number one being getting married to my wonderful wife, and all the love and chaos that went along with it.

Whiskywise, in 2023 I levelled up and underwent a step change in my experience and attitudes towards the remarkable drink we love. Visiting Scotland for the first time and getting to tour a few distilleries in Speyside and the highlands was tops for me. I hope to return soon.

Late last year I was invited to join a local whisky club. Meeting fellow club members and participating in events has added a new dimension in increased whisky pleasure and opened up opportunities I didn’t have previously. Wherever you are I highly recommend joining a club, or even starting your own. There’s not much better than meeting new people who share that common interest.

I’m very thankful to be part of the Dramface team and the new relationships I’ve made from it, especially for my fellow Canadian Broddy, located in a more whisky-friendly province, with his legendary sample output from the depths of his own private whisky bar. Us international Dramface writers are becoming more of a close knit group and I know one day we’ll gather in person and share many drams (Hawaii might be the midpoint - any takers?).

Looking forward to 2024 I think trends of decreasing purchasing and consumption will continue. Local sources in my home province of Ontario are confirming this with slow sales leading up to the holidays. As budgets are stressed and drinkers become more aware of the impact of alcohol on our health, it becomes an easy decision to right-size our whisky purchases.

I bought astronomically less whisky in 2023 than I did in 2022, working down my collection slowly and focussing on quality over quantity. Gone are the days of rapid acquisition, I now only really buy whiskies I plan on reviewing for Dramface, as well as a special occasion bottle here and there if conditions are right. The fear of missing out has an ever shrinking space in my heart. What I lack in my own cabinets can be made up by interaction and experiences with my fellow enthusiasts.

Most importantly, thank you, the Dramface readership for your support and engagement in 2023, and here’s to a fantastic 2024!

Happy Holidays! AMc

Tyree

TL;DR;

Low-points rendered into highs, thanks to people

Well, what a year it has been. I’ve had the great pleasure of getting to know most of my co-writers this year, as well as contributing the vast majority of my articles for this wee site, and almost certainly the better ones.

I’ve had the privilege of beginning work in a distillery, of deepening my knowledge and relationship with the drink, and beginning formalised study in the pursuit of a profoundly fulfilling career. If I had to pick a whisky high-point of the year though, it would probably also be my low-point.

The review I put out for a Springbank 18YO in June, which one must self-admit was unapologetically abrasive, highlighted some of the less savoury aspects of this beverage we all enjoy.

Whisky is plagued by the same issues of social posturing, profiteering and projected classism so ubiquitous with the wine industry. In a sense, I shouldn’t be surprised; these are all the same characteristics and pitfalls we increasingly observe from the industry directed at whisky consumers. I’m pretty introverted in general, but the response to that article disproportionately jaded my view, temporarily at least, of other whisky drinkers. What was the highpoint then?

Again; the people.

Whether it was others in the community defending the right to express an opinion, co-writers offering words of support, or those few that disagreed but chose to enter polite debate, it was ultimately people that restored my faith in the community. There are pockets that I will clearly never see eye to eye with, but the majority of folks I interact with on the basis of whisky are good, cheery folk pursuing flavour and shared passion. Most aren’t out to make a buck, nor convince others of their importance through some pathetically displayed decanter of Macallan 42 wood (or whatever other trite they’re bottling these days). Whisky is great and all, but the people that share the appreciation of its intrinsic virtues unpretentiously, enthusiastically and passionately make the drink what it is.

Long may it last.

Merry Christmas to you all! TK

Hamish

TL;DR;

Throwing caution to the wind in the pursuit of experience

It’s probably been my biggest year of personal growth in my life so far. One word to sum up this year would be ‘experiences’.

2023. What a year. Wow. I still can’t believe we are at the end of December and about to embark on another cycle around the sun.

Last year, I shared something with my wife about what I wanted from 2023; a year of experiences with her, work, travel, food and especially whisky. I’ve had a good mixture of highs and lows in 2023. More trips, more travel and spontaneous moments along with my wife. Experiences equal memories. Memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime.

What’s also made this year a banger in terms of all things whisky. Tasting belters with the Englishman , Irishman, Scotsman (EIS) bottle split trio of misfits, and continuing to be part of this wonderful Dramface team has been a joy and a whole bundle of fun. Topping it all off has been inducted into the Hallion Battalion as well as meeting these tremendous souls face to face. Oh wow, you’re a real person….and a legend? Here’s a dram!

The Glasgow Whisky Festival being the highlight of the whisky sphere for me. The liquid took the back seat throughout the Friday and Saturday as friendships were formed and solidified. Between the Pot Still, Hampden, Akbars and the Bon Accord…it’s hard to recall all conversations, but I can guarantee each topic was putting the world to right.

Long may it continue. Hopefully I meet more kind and generous whisky folk, and be able to share a dram and story with them in 2024 and beyond.

Thank you Dramface team, and thank you Dramface readership; bring on 2024.

Let’s be having ye! HF

Calder

TL;DR;

Whisky pursuits took a back seat in 2023

It’s been a dusty year from Dramface in Melbourne as we’ve added another baby Dune to our little clan. It’s meant my journey with whisky; writing, purchasing, and drinking, have had to slow down.

I must begin my dear Dramface readers, with an apology. I have not been able to report back from the Australian coffee capital as much as I’ve wanted to.

Whilst my contributions this year have been few, the break may have charged me, nay, aged me a little further towards maturity with how I engage with my kindred spirits. Keeping up with the expanding kaleidoscope of new expressions, limited editions and debut distilleries can feel like a full time job, and truth be told, I’ve been on leave for most of it in 2023.

I cannot be thankful enough to my Dramface colleagues for their breadth of work and passion this year, the close to daily dram, feature, or reflection has kept the spirit beating for Calder and it isn’t the dreadful old FOMO I’m feeling, it’s being able to nose, taste, and explore all the whiskies through the comfort of an iPad and a reclined chair as I rock the babies to bed. Being with them through astonishment, disappointment, disillusionment, and then rediscovery has been prodigious, leaving me with the hope of joining them once more in the new year.

Slowing down gives you the luxury of being picky (in reality, complacent), perhaps returning to the caressing hands of your old favourites, the styles and distillates that imprinted on you as a wee whisky swan. I’ve been blind to the delights of bourbon, rye and whiskey in 2023, and that’s okay because there is scotch, so very much scotch that’s reaching new levels of accessibility. Whilst new is fun, exciting, and progressive, you can also go back to your ol’ faithfuls.

There has been a shift in the tides of whisky this year, bottlings like Ardbeg Committee Releases and Laphraig Cairdeas’ aren’t selling out like they used to. In allied health (Calder’s day job), we often talk about clients wanting the shiny ball. The solution or outcome that shines the most, often obscuring what may be most functional, practical or even worthwhile.

Whisky needn’t be a race, and 2023 was the year where I finally took to a pitstop. My fellow Dramfacers called it when they said it would be a year for the blends, the Maclean’s Nose and TB/BSW were an eye-opening value proposition for why Single Malts aren’t always necessary.

Now if you see a Springbank or ‘96 Nevis you can afford then definitely take the dive, but it’s okay if it doesn’t always happen. Expect a fair amount of Calder’s beloved Bunnah in ‘24, some fun indies, and just maybe a cheeky Springbank or two he was lucky enough to procure at RRP (hypocrisy thy name is Dune).

And so, a Merry Christmas and adios, but soon, a konichiwa from the lands of whisky future… CD

Eallair

TL;DR;

Discoveries, transformations, and new friends

2023 will go down as a transformational year for me. What began with a curiosity in Nordic history wound its way around and over to something completely unexpected: the serendipitous rediscovery of whisky (the whole recantation of my whisky rediscovery tale can be found here). 

When I reflect on my year in review at Dramface, I think about how unbelievably lucky and grateful I am to have stumbled into this community of whisky enthusiasts and the opportunity to contribute to its success.

I found Dramface through the podcast and by way of Roy’s Aqvavitae YouTube channel last winter. I diligently and patiently waited for each new podcast episode - cherishing each new audio publication as a special moment to savour.

I would later discover the written reviews on Dramface, only to be stunned by the introspective storytelling woven into each piece. I knew I had come across something very special; long form editorial mixed with thoughtfully systematic whisky reviews. I found a little slice of personal Nirvana.

All along the while, I was simultaneously unwrapping the layers of my own whisky journey - one by one, exploring brands, expressions, opinions, personalities, histories, and the inner details of distillation. Just absorbing the entirety of it all. For my 50th birthday, many of my closest friends gathered around and indulged this new fascination with a group whisky tasting. Together we explored twenty or so bottles, sharing our thoughts and impressions, making favourites, laughing and, yes, eventually crying. 

Then one day - facebook highlighted a post with Roy seeking help. He was looking for a new social media person to join Dramface (after Bruichladdich pinched our guy!). I read through it and thought - “wait… I know how to do all of those things, I know that web technology, I think I know what he’s looking for….” Suddenly flush with excitement, I decided to take a wild-ass leap and I applied. Before I knew it I was on video calls with Roy talking about personal histories and whisky appreciation.

Somewhere and somehow, the winds of favour blew my way and there I was, a new member of the Dramface team. Their welcoming acceptance of a new face and a new personality was instant and I immediately knew I had stumbled into something very special indeed. 

The remainder of the year has been spent getting to know the team... understanding the people behind the stories and learning ever more about the shared joy of exploring the Whisky Experience. The resulting transformational volume of change this year has been astounding - with every day building upon the previous.

In November I finally put pen to paper and wrote out a recollection of my personal growth and took stock of where I was at in my whisky journey. Publishing an article on Dramface was a dream come true. In fact, this has all been one big dream come true. I can now count myself lucky to have friends elsewhere in the US, but also Australia, Scotland, Canada, Belgium and more - all working collectively to produce something genuinely remarkable.

Now knowing what 2022 must have been like inside the halls of Dramface, I can only comment on what 2023 has been like through my eyes. What I’ve discovered is a community of thoughtful, talented, real people behind the stories. A collection of people who not only care about the culture of whisky and Dramface’s place in it, but also about each other.

There’s much to be thankful for in looking back on 2023 and much to celebrate. I’d like to raise a dram to the team… albeit one that’s preferably unchillfiltered and uncoloured. EMc

WMc