After being assured by his own previous experiences, Earie never really believed in the positivity behind Arran’s 10yo. Believing it was hyped, he finally relented. Here’s his take.

In reflective mode, Dougie does what we need him to do: close out the year with a retrospective via Ardnamurchan. AD/10, Sauternes and AD/Venturers all up for grabs. He pulls in Ainsley to help out.

Tav and Wally wade in together on a brand new Scapa. Now there’s something we don’t read too often. This one is the affordable 10 year old, and they both agree on something. The fruit!

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.

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.

Calder returns with tales of Japanese exploration and an attempt to understand why a land of balance and harmony is so struck by Springbank, as he reviews last year's Palo Cortado 10yo.

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.

Held up as an example in how to do things right, Ainsley reviews a Hazelburn 10 while sending an open letter to Ardbeg all about how they're doing it wrong. Very wrong.

Tracing back his Ardmore love to when he was an (illegal) teen, Nick compares two modern takes from industry insiders turned indy bottlers: James Eadie and The Firkin Whisky Co.

As Murdo tells tales of travel and opening minds, he shares his take on three very rare and curious 'whiskies', while taking us through his life-long dream realised: a trip to North Korea.

In another Dramface Friday First, we’re introduced to Innes, who has a soft spot for Auchentoshan, but not without quibble. Here he compares two. They’re indies. Of course they are.

Free stuff isn’t common on Dramface; each writer usually buys their own whisky. So when Earie sifts through an entire outturn via Dràm Mòr provided samples, he takes a moment to justify it.

Drummond takes a deep dive; what is Bere Barley and why are Bruichladdich using it? He then sips it against his 2014 Islay Barley to see if it’s worth the extra cash. Interesting indeed.

Another continental buddy up today as Earie and Ainsley pour over a trio of different takes on Ardmore while considering the pitfalls of brand loyalty.

In order to stave off the dreaded malt-fatigue and keep things fresh and exciting, Earie has found the perfect strategy, and a banger of a whisky too; Millstone’s Rye 10yo.

We all like intensity and focus, but what about when we just need something functional to ‘get it done’? Drummond makes the case for an under-the-radar Càrn Mòr bottling of Glenburgie he stole at auction.

In embracing springtime, Earie pulls out his inner European to complain about the weather, and how it drives his whisky consumption. To us it looks like this Benrinnes form Van Wees would go down well regardless.

In trying to understand why Ben Nevis is such a ‘connoisseur’s malt’ Ainsley assembles a trio of indies and pours them alongside each other for a cosy night hiding from the Parisian rain.

Dove-tailing Doog’s review of the mass-market Aberfeldy 12yo, Ainsley finds an all-too-rare alternative, one more tailored for those of a geeky bent. Inexpensive too!