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.

Weekend sorted: exploring the idea you can't screw up a Caol Ila, Tav earns a gold star by lining up 5 indy bangers and comparing them all to the classic official 12yo.

Broddy feels, like most, that it’s hard to screw up Caol Ila, but this one comes close. Luckily, he regales us with tales and views of jaw dropping Canadian scenes along the way.

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.

Fergus shares one of his summertime permashelf bottles; Compass Box’s Orchard House. He also offers one or two others that match it quite well, especially alongside a fruity IPA.

An impromptu play-date offers Fergus the chance to evangelise to a new whisky-curious pal. On discovering he likes smoke, a 61.3% Cask Strength Caol Ila is the hammer chosen. Let’s see how that went down.

Enjoying a buddy night, Broddy reflects that the takeaway was, once more, price. Inspired to find an antidote for his tasting pals, he discovers this cracking malt form Elixir.

How can Wally admit to loving a bottle and yet score it 3/10? It’s complex, but in this case he thinks Diageo have made it a big, confusing, opaque and cynical mess - for retailers and punters.

Broddy heads back to grab a second bottle of an absolute banger, only to discover they’re all sold. Worse, some naughty whisky mules have been smuggling ‘em out of his native home to punt on Scottish auction sites. Cue a Broddy huff.

A team review is required around a new take on Elixir’s Port Askaig series and their first Cask Strength Small Batch. Wally leads with a deep dive into why we’re not drinking enough. Apparently.

Broddy is becoming something of a canny auction hound these days, finding great value under-the-radar purchases that sate his quest to find great malts at great prices. Sometimes he can even compare them.

It’s tricky to find a pour you’ll love when you’re out and about, as Ramsay discovers while he searches his hometown bars for something that’ll pique his curiosity. Cask strength Caol Ila(?) That’ll do nicely.

Value propositions are becoming harder to find, so let it be known that in Auld Doog’s opinion this 2023 The Ileach Cask Strength whisky, if you fancy a fairly priced smoker of an evening, delivers solid bang for buck.

A disappointed Drummond was tempted by a hefty discount on a bottle of JW Green, only to be shocked at how 15 year old malt could be neutered in such away.

In the face of rising prices for Islay brands Tyree considers a trio of Elements of Islay blended malts from Elixir Distillers. Initially not expecting very much, he ends up pretty impressed.

When we nose and taste whiskies, what about the sensation of temperature? Drummond thinks he can taste “cool” and “warm”. We tend to agree. What about this bargain Caol Ila?

Tyree wants to know what they are hiding?

There’s gold hiding in these hills…

Pre-automation style oozes character

Tasty whisky, but very little to tell the siblings apart.