Trying to uncover the difference between ‘cask strength’ & ‘batch strength’ Paisley finds she doesn’t have it all figured out. She also finds a banger of a Kilchoman.

While hearing about an absolute cracker of a lesser-seen Miltonduff, we get to know some secrets about Murdo and his other passions beyond what fits in a Glencairn. Fascinating.

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.

A buddy up review on Armorik, a French single malt with a considerable age-statement and, it would seem, a considerably impressive offering. Earie and Ainsley see what France is offering these days.

Ramsay and Fergus buddy up for a wander through the most recent outturn from Watt Whisky. Exploring a grain, a blend, two malts and a Guyana rum, they actually find some consensus!

Another new release has landed, this time a are thing indeed: a brand new Islay. Loaded with anticipation, Wally digs in to Ardnahoe - the latest peat-bomb to blow up the whisky scene.

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.

In an effort to keep his palate and whisky fun as diverse as possible, Broddy tucks into some That-Boutiquey-Whisky-Company releases from Europe, including Austria, Switzerland Sweden and Finland.

In a whisky landscape swamped with ratcheted prices and disgruntled malt lovers, Fletcher uncorks what he believes just might be a brilliant antidote. Bravo Signatory Vintage, bravo.

Pragmatism and reflection are the themes as Ainsley happens upon a bargain ghost at auction. Shy at first, he eventually locks this beauty away for as long as possible. Special people only.

Do the right thing, by all means. Support, don’t judge. Because sometimes being a patient spendthrift, far away from a whisky shop, still uncovers things to reassure you that good stuff is still out there.

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.” 😳

Wally talks himself in and out of liking this release as he struggles with the cost and the direction of things, all the while realising this is the best Bruichladdich he remembers tasting.

Surprised by tales of woe and predictions of whisky doom and gloom, Ogilvie harnesses positivity in the bottle chase, and immediately steps out and snags himself a banger of a dusty ‘99 Glen Garioch

How might we view this mature yet affordable whisky in the future? Wally decides it needs to be celebrated now - before it’s gone and relegated to a nostalgic recollection of what once was possible.

Saving a special bottle for a quiet moment, Ramsay swims in a dusty and now discontinued Glencadam 21yo while wondering if it’s worth reviewing hard-to-find bottles. We must Tav! We must!

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.

While reviewing those two Aqvavitae Ardnamurchan bottles, somehow, in so many incidental ways, Dougie highlights all of the things to be grateful for exploring whisky. Those high-energy, emotional, glowing, amber-inspired moments we all love to live for.

Amazing gestures of generosity place Doog in the possession of two much celebrated special releases from Loch Lomond; the XL Fermentation DE3 goes up against Aqvavitae’s 2022 release.