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★★★★★ Some Fringe shows promise a lot and deliver very little. Two Guys, 3 Drams does the opposite: it promises whisky and blues, and somehow delivers whisky, blues, comedy, education, and a roomful of people having a noticeably better time than they expected. After three consecutive sell‑out years, the show returns with the same swagger the performers boast about — “whisky‑soaked swagger, raucous blues, and boisterous charm” — and the marketing isn’t exaggerating.
Felipe Schrieberg (vocals, lap steel) and Paul Archibald (drums, percussion, and that wonderfully unfashionable washboard) run the hour with the confidence of performers who know exactly what they’re doing. The performers call it “a sensory spectacle blending a world‑class whisky tasting with foot‑stomping live music”, and that’s precisely how it feels in the room: part gig, part tasting, part double‑act.
TheSpace @ Triplex was packed and buzzing throughout.
Music
The musical choices are strong throughout. Their take on I Put a Spell on You was the standout for me — gritty, tight, and delivered with enough bite to make the dram in your hand feel even more appropriate. Other numbers were less familiar, but the quality of the playing meant it didn’t matter. Felipe’s lap‑steel tone is rich and expressive; Paul’s rhythmic precision (especially on the washboard) is a rare treat.
Whisky
The whisky side is handled with a jokey, informal touch that makes the information stick. Felipe and Paul emphasise that the show is “as much about education as it is about entertainment” , and that’s true — but crucially, it never feels like a lecture. Audience questions, quick-fire facts, and a steady stream of banter keep things lively.
The drams on our night:
- InchDairnie Rylaw Scottish Rye – easily the highlight. Smooth, distinctive, and surprisingly accessible. InchDairnie are a main sponsor this year, and their Head of Innovation calls the partnership “a brilliant way to bring whisky and music together”. Fair enough — the whisky is excellent.
- A Singaporean whisky (whose name I missed) – light, balanced, and a pleasant surprise.
- Laphroaig 15-year-old – the marmite dram. I’m firmly in the “no thanks” camp: too peaty, too medicinal, too smoky. Interesting, though, given it was my mother’s favourite whisky; she drank no other. Taste is a funny thing.
The chemistry between Felipe and Paul is the engine of the show. Years of playing together have given them an easy rapport, and the humour feels natural rather than rehearsed. The room was fully involved — responding to prompts, shouting back answers, and generally behaving like a Fringe audience who’ve decided they’re part of the act.
The performers promise you’ll “leave knowing how to sound clever about whisky for the rest of your life”. That’s not far off. You walk out with three good drams inside you, a handful of genuinely useful whisky facts, and the pleasant buzz of having spent an hour with performers who clearly enjoy what they do.
Warm, funny, informative, and musically accomplished. If you want a Fringe show that teaches you something without ever feeling like a lecture — and gives you three quality whiskies in the process — Two Guys, 3 Drams is an easy recommendation.
Reviewed by Pat Harrington
