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.

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.

Ainsley brings a Glen Ord banger to a 90+ points whisky night and ends up contemplating what’s different about ‘older’ whiskies that are, in whisky terms, actually pretty young.

Our Linkwood exploration continues, this time heading back to the 1990s with a Signatory and a Cadenhead’s head-to-head, which also gives Ainsley pause to consider the role of ABV.

Fed up with grey days and bad news, Fletcher cracks open two well-aged blends on a budget to see if they can bring a little lightness. A Glenallachie made NacNair’s 21yo vs a Cadenhead’s 25yo.

Dougie, deliberately, seeks out the distillery that everyone has told him is terrible, he pulls the trigger on a bargain to discover “Jura is well worth the chase. Jura is magic whisky. Jura is hugely enjoyable and fun.” 😳

As part of a ‘team building exercise’ Hamish is invited to stretch his olfactory senses in a structured test. His colleagues - knowing he’s a whisky reviewer - determine that he’ll “boss it”. Well, did he? You know the answer…dontcha?

Dire world events draw dark clouds over Ogilvie’s visit to England, yet he find calming solace in whisky environments; light filling the dark. He also happens upon some Springbank and a stop-and-stare Bunnahabhain from Cadenhead’s.

Blending whisky is a genuine art form that demands maximum respect. Dougie signed up to try a session himself in Campbeltown. From lunch to jelly legs, he takes us vividly along.

Weighty Benrinnes aged to near-perfection

The community builds to salve your fear of missing out

An Orkney that needs a dose of water to put out the fire

Everyone's a winner, baby, that’s the truth

We could use some more peat from the unpeated malt of Islay

Savoury Speysider with pleasantly mediated maturation

A fascinating whisky of shifting flavours

The core range ramped up to maximum. This is delicious whisky.

An underrated malt and a fantastic price for such a flavoursome Highlander

Sweet, citrus, nicely balanced - a tasty dram and a walk down Longrow

An eye opening take on the quietly superb Highland dram