Tyree returns with some deep thoughts on expertise, enthusiasts, ‘Big Whisky’ and black boxes. Fascinating. He finishes off with a flourish and a beautiful 1990s Benrinnes. Welcome back fella.

When you love something, sense doesn’t always prevail. Wally, not for the first time, naively pulls the trigger on a 2024 Talisker only to discover he’s chasing nostalgia, and he needs to move on.

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.

After conquering his recent FOMO, Ramsay tries to banish his HAMO; Have Already Missed Out. Reviewing Clynelish - one of whisky's legends - makes him consider what's gone before.

The weather isn't enough to dampen Paisley's desire to return to a favourite Linkwood. She thinks it's the canny use of a refill cask that's made this bargain North Star release perfect for any season.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Prompted by the team, Wally reconnects with Linkwood, and this Thompson Bros 13yo makes Wally contemplate just how much trust revolves around the Whiskyverse, and why it’s vital.

Justifying his love of Linkwood, Murdo lines up four differently matured takes on its malt, all indies and all teenagers. One in particular has him demand this Speysider be celebrated more.

Murdo finds an ‘interesting’ whisky in this 20yo Inchgower but also shares an ‘interesting’ business model which understandably, prevents him from shopping local.

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.

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 another Dramface Friday First; our man in Asia feels the sting of shame as one of his whisky preferences is rudely invalidated. It takes a little reflection and another bottle buy to rectify things..

After years of pounding his way through his favoured Islay big-hitters, Fergus one day encountered what he would come to understand as a Mileston Malt; Mortlach. He picks up a steal of an Signatory release to revisit.

Sharing some things about the Isle of Skye that are both expected and unexpected, Dougie Crystal finds parallels in a glass of his, thus far ignored, local libation: Talisker.

As he settles into life in Dixie, Ogilvie meets up with a formidable local gent who declares if it isn’t bourbon, it isn’t whiskey. A dinner is the prize if a mind can be changed…

After some surprise that there might exist a sweet-but-pleasing and reasonably priced Oban, Ogilvie is once more shocked into a Diageo embargo where the prices are - once more - jacked up.

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.