Why Dram1 Exists
I created Dram1 from a simple belief:
that whisky deserves to be talked about with care.
Not just rated.
Not just promoted.
But tasted, questioned, explained, and shared.
Whisky is culture, craft, history, and pleasure. It becomes richer when people understand it better. Dram1 exists to help make that understanding more accessible, fairer, and more enjoyable — one dram at a time.
This site is my personal corner of the internet, built to explore whisky thoughtfully and honestly.
Who I Am — and Who Dram1 Is For
My name is Martijn van Opstal. I’m the founder of Dram1 and the creator of the DRAM1 Whisky Awards.
I write as someone who genuinely enjoys whisky. I’m not interested in chasing hype, collecting scores, or presenting myself as an unquestionable authority. I care about flavour, context, and conversation — and about helping people find whiskies they’ll actually enjoy.
Dram1 is for anyone who is curious about whisky.
That includes:
- people taking their first steps beyond the supermarket shelf
- enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding
- experienced drinkers who value perspective as much as precision
I don’t believe whisky has an entry requirement.
Curiosity is enough.
Experience, Education, and Perspective
To support honest and accurate whisky writing, I’ve invested heavily in both formal education and long-term tasting experience.
My whisky diploma’s include:
- Advanced Whisky Ambassador
- Irish Whiskey Certificate (EWA)
- Bourbon Steward — Stave & Thief Society
- Liquorist — Dutch Wine Academy
These qualifications don’t define my palate, but they help ground it. Education provides structure, language, and historical context. Experience provides nuance. Dram1 exists where the two meet.
A Guiding Principle
I believe whisky is best understood when many palates and perspectives are brought together.
No single taster owns the truth of a whisky.
Authority comes from honesty, experience, and dialogue — not from volume or certainty.
I aim to reflect whisky as it is experienced in the real world: differently, thoughtfully, and often passionately.
How I Review Whisky
Flavour Always Comes First
Every review begins and ends with the experience in the glass.
I focus on:
- aroma
- taste
- finish
- balance and development
Technical details support that experience, but never replace it. A whisky is not its spec sheet — it is how it drinks.
Structure Builds Trust
Consistency helps readers understand my preferences and approach.
My reviews follow a recognisable structure so that:
- comparisons make sense
- preferences become visible over time
- readers can quickly find what matters to them
Within that structure, I remain human, expressive, and honest.
Context Is Part of Honesty
A whisky does not exist in isolation.
Whenever possible, I explain:
- who a whisky is likely to appeal to
- how it relates to similar releases
- whether it feels fairly priced for what it offers
Saying “this isn’t for everyone” is not a criticism — it’s respect for the reader.
Independence Above All
Independence matters to me.
I aim to:
- treat samples and purchased bottles with the same critical care
- separate editorial judgement from commercial relationships
- be clear about what I know, and what I don’t
Praise is earned. Criticism is explained. Silence is sometimes the most honest response.
How I Teach Whisky
Education Should Invite, Not Intimidate
Whisky can be complex — but learning about it doesn’t need to be.
My educational content aims to:
- remove unnecessary barriers
- explain ideas clearly before expanding on them
- respect both beginners and experienced drinkers
Good education builds confidence, not caution.
Depth Comes in Layers
Not everyone needs everything at once.
I design educational content so readers can:
- start simple
- go deeper when curiosity grows
- return later with new questions
Whisky knowledge isn’t a ladder.
It’s a landscape.
Built to Last
I prioritise evergreen content:
- regularly reviewed and updated
- internally connected across the site
- designed to remain useful long after publication
My goal is to build a reference people return to — not just an article they read once.
How I Cover Whisky News
Information First
When I report on whisky news, clarity comes before opinion.
I aim to explain:
- what has happened
- why it matters
- who it affects
Opinion has a place — but it should never be disguised as reporting.
Context Over Hype
Not every release deserves attention simply for being rare, expensive, or loud.
I focus on:
- relevance
- innovation
- impact on drinkers and the wider whisky world
Attention is a responsibility, not a reward.
Voice, Responsibility, and Ambition
I write as a whisky drinker first.
My tone is:
- informed but not academic
- enthusiastic but not breathless
- confident without being dismissive
As Dram1 grows, so does its influence — and that influence carries responsibility.
I commit to:
- accuracy and transparency
- respect for producers and readers
- openness to correction and learning
- continuous reflection on how I taste and write
I don’t aim to be perfect.
I aim to be fair.
My ambition for Dram1 is simple:
- to be a trusted source for whisky reviews
- a clear and welcoming place to learn about whisky
- a reliable destination for whisky news
- and a space where different palates are valued
Growth is not the goal on its own.
Trust is.
In Closing
Dram1 exists to explore whisky with curiosity, care, and shared experience —
one dram at a time.