If you are looking for gift this holiday season the gift of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) is a good idea. The membership kit package would make a great gift for a scotch drinker, but there are a few things to know before you order.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America (SMWSA) is a membership based society/club that sells cask strength whisky from refilled barrels from distilleries in Scotland. The bottles are green, labeled with a number system, and have descriptions of the flavor profile. Bottles/drinks can be purchased online, at SMWS Venues, and Partner Bars.
A membership has three options; member for $99 a year, member + bottle is $150 a year, or member + tasting kit for $175 a year. The membership allows you to purchase bottles, receive a magazine subscription (mainly about them), invitations to tastings near you (not free), and access to members rooms in UK (have to buy drams). Bottle price ranges from $90 to $1,200+ with ages from 9 years to 35+ years.
The Venues, are the bars that only serve their green bottles and are located in London and two in Edinburgh. I have been to the London venue. I was unable to go to the Edinburgh (Queens Street) venue as it was undergoing renovations.
The Members Rooms are the partner bars in America and in 19 other countries. I have not been to a partner bar yet. In American, the locations are in Washington DC, Knoxville, Chicago (2), Seattle (4), Washington State, Portland, Las Vegas, San Jose, and San Francisco (2). At the time of writing, this article there is no location in NYC, but the American headquarters is located on Madison Ave in NYC. I was informed by a rep that “liquor laws are complicated in NYC”. Well, that might be true, but there is a bar on every block in Manhattan so I would hope one will be coming soon.
Over the summer, I attend a SMWSA event at the NY Distillery Co. in Brooklyn. I sampled the following:
- Cask G6.4 – Grain Region (unknown), 35 Year
- Cask 36.104 – Speyside, 12 Year
- Cask 2.96 – Speyside, 12 Year
- Cask 41.81 – Speyside, 12 Year
- Cask 35.162 – Speyside, 21 Year
- Cask 29.201 – Islay, 17 Year
I preferred #1 and #6, but they were all good. As you can see, half of the bottles were 12 year olds. As I have mentioned in previous reviews, 12-year whisky gives me a baseline flavor. I would have liked all of the bottles to have been over 12 years for the cost of the event.
So with all that said, SMWSA is better choice than Flaviar in most aspects, but I have some four critiques;
One, the code system is interesting but I rely heavily on trust that it is correct. I am sure what they sell is correct, but part of me just wants to know what I am getting. I am not sure if there is a decoder ring available. I have not found anything official.
Two, on the site it states, “secretive group of independent whisky connoisseurs from all walks of life” select their whisky. So you have a secret group with a secret numbering system that charges $90 minimum for a bottle that may be 9-12 years old? Easy with the marketing please.
Three, the shipping cost is a factor to consider. I looked at ordering a $90 bottle and the shipping put the cost at $135. I can get a lot of good whisky for that price in the store on sale.
Four, there is no bar in NYC. This city is somewhat big on the map of the world. You would think there would be a partner bar in Manhattan.
Enjoying whisky can be a passion, hobby, or just a preferred drink. There are many societies and clubs out there, not to mention tasting events. SMWSA great society, but it is comes a higher price. When they open a bar in NYC I will renew my membership.
If you like it, drink it! – Christopher
If you like it, drink it!
