Did our challenging times during Lockdown actually offer us a few silver linings? Murdo offers a few possible examples which endure for him today, including discovering this knockout Cadenhead’s Linkwood.

Another debut for Dramface. Hughie, through multiple false starts, eventually falls for whisky, but not through the ‘typical’ route. His vibe is the off-piste flavour hooks & this Loch Lomond 12yo brings it.

Prompted by lifestyle, environs and a recent piece by the youngest of the Dramface crew, Nick goes offline and takes time to appreciate life’s more contemplative pleasures; like Longrow Red.

Wally manages to comfortably pick up a bottle of the latest Kilkerran Cask Strength; in ex-bourbs too. But what’s this? Does he actually miss the madness of the old bottle-chasing days?

Probably the most under-the-radar of all scotch single malts, yet it’s been around long enough to produce a 10yo. Charlie made a pilgrimage to the most westerly of them all: Abhainn Dearg. Worth it?

Another Dramface debut! This time it’s a Scot who, due to his ancestry, has a particular passion for Bruichladdich, and this Micro-provenance Single Cask is one of his favourites. And a bit different.

Fergie evaluates the risks in paying considerably more for small-scale ‘artisanal’ products. In doing so he compares a recently acquired Daftmill to his beloved custom-made Dobro.

How’s your Friday? Fancy a vivid trip to the west coast of Scotland on a moonlit night? Doog, literally, takes you there. With a nice SMWS single malt too.

A favourite Gilbert pastime is chasing blends. Reluctant to splash out on the “Ultimate” scotch blend, Gilbert borrows a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label and gives it a whirl for us all.

Perhaps with St Valentine’s Day on his mind, Earie wonders what makes us fall in love with certain distilleries. He decides it’s less faff, more flavour and more indies. Some other stuff too.

Starting out eager and earnest, Mason grabbed a ‘bargain’ 21 year old Glenfiddich, only to discover that age and quality are not always synonymous in whisky.

Dougie scoffs a Fragrant Drops North British bottle-split but immediately orders a follow-up bottle and compares it to a 34yo counterpart. He likes, and the prices are remarkable.

While shopping for bits and bobs, Mason is hit by nostalgia from a cute 20cl bottle of Johnnie Walker Red. At only €7, he decides to have a little fun despite the inevitable disappointment of this modern blend.

Whisky quest at Singapore’s Changi Airport.: The saleswoman leads Murdo down the Travel Retail isles and pulls out this Blended Scotch by Ardray. Is she a true whisky sage or a master of sales magic?

Refining his whisky-sights, a measured gamble on the ever-reliable Thompson Brothers connects Tav with a ‘teaspooned’ bottle he’d have to pay double for to grab the branded version.

In digging for obscure treasures, Innes unearths a bottle that’s been abused for 50 years. A Wine Society Mortlach from before most of us were born. Incredible liquid history. How does it taste?

An annual treat for Fergie is to splash out on an indulgent treat. Despite a previous false start, he chose Deanston and their 18yo. What did he discover? It’s a Dramface pile on.

A debut piece by our Friday First writer Mason Mack, who introduces us to his digital native generation and slow-living, through a glass of elegant Dailuaine from Fragrant Drops.

Wally makes an impassioned plea to the owners of Speyburn and AnCnoc to think twice about their decisions to chill filter their malts in upcoming revamps. He also makes a plea to those who care.

Whisky brings solace and escapism in challenging times. After some fatigue, Earie finds his love of whisky geekery sparked once more. A very good indie Islay from Elixir’s Elements helps out.