Scotch Whisky
Scotch Whisky

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street
Edinburgh, EH6 6BZ Scotland
Tel: 0131 554 3451 / Fax: 0131 553 1003

"Freedom and whisky gang thegither" wrote Robert Burns over two hundred years ago. It's a sentiment we uphold.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is the world's leading specialist in single malt, single cask, cask strength whiskies. Established more than 20 years ago by a group of friends who clubbed together to buy a single cask of fine malt whisky, the Society retains to this day the same air of camaraderie. Today the Society has three superb venues and over 20,000 members worldwide.


With the world's widest range of single cask, cask strength malt whiskies selected from over 120 distilleries, a UK-wide programme of whisky tastings and a warm welcome in Members' Rooms in Leith, Edinburgh and London – wherever you travel you can be sure to find a friend with whom to raise a glass.

The Society's traditional home is in one of the oldest commercial buildings in Scotland - The Vaults in Leith, Edinburgh's bustling old port area. It also has Members' Rooms at 28 Queen Street, Edinburgh and 19 Greville Street, London, right in the heart of The City.

The Range As a Society member you have access to one of the widest selections of single cask, cask strength malts. We are currently bottling between 150 and 200 casks a year from over 100 distilleries the length and breadth of Scotland.

Society Bottlings The Society exists to celebrate variations from the norm, so members can enjoy the individual characteristics each cask has to offer in terms of distillery, age, finish etc. Once the Society has bought single casks from the range of distilleries, the respected Tasting Panel is responsible for quality control and takes the decision as to which casks should be bottled and when. From there, the Panel writes the Society's lyrical and often humourous (even controversial) Tasting Notes.

Remember, Society whisky is available to members only. Read about Society membership To find out more.

The Distilleries The Society enjoys the confidence and goodwill of the whisky industry and supports it in any way possible. Sensitive to industry policy and to maintain an element of intrigue, the Society does not mention any distillery by name.

With this in mind, each bottle features two numbers: the first represents the distillery, the second the number of casks we have bottled from that distillery. The first cask the Society ever bottled was given the number 1.1. Our stocks and range of distilleries have increased over the years and to date we have over one hundred. So, for example, a bottle of 110.4 would mean that the Society has bottled its fourth cask from distillery number 110.

The Strength The Society bottles all its whiskies direct from the cask, at full strength (around 60% alcohol). Whiskies bought in shops tend to be diluted and bottled at about 40% alcohol. Because dilution sometimes produces a slight cloudiness, the whisky is then chilled and filtered - a process which, while it leaves the spirit clear, can remove some of the constituents which give it taste and character. The Society does not chill-filter its whiskies.

The Cask The type and quality of the casks used for maturing malt whisky have a profound effect on the flavour of the final product because each cask imparts individual characteristics. In commercial bottlings a number of casks are mixed together to combine these characteristics and achieve a uniform product. The Society does not vat its casks.

"Catch the Joy as it Flies!" By contrast, the Society exults in diversity. Each of our bottlings are from a single cask (yielding between 200 and 700 bottles only - depending on type of cask, its age and tightness). Thus the wonderful variety of aromas in malt whisky can be experienced to the full. It is important to remember that once a cask is finished it is gone forever and will never be replicated.


Scotch Malt Whisky Society Members Rooms

The Vaults, Leif "Home From Home"
The 18th Century Vaults, just back from the quayside in the old port, is the traditional, much-loved home of the Society. Theres a unique and tangible atmosphere as members and their guests relax in the wood panelled Members Room with open fires and leather sofas. There are three flats for members and an elegant Tasting Room and Whisky Room for private events.

Opening Hours
Just a reminder for any of you who may have forgotten:
Monday from 10am - 5pm
Tuesday thru Wednesday from 10am until 11pm
Thursday thru Saturday from 10am until 12pm
Sunday from 11am until 10pm

Contact Us
The Vaults, 87 Giles Street
Edinburgh, EH6 6BZ Scotland
Tel: 0131 554 3451 / Fax: 0131 553 1003
Email: The Vaults

28 Queen Street, Edinburgh "Stylish Elegance"
The Society's newest venue is a beautifully restored Georgian townhouse on one of the capital's main thoroughfares. With exquisite ornate plasterwork throughout, the elegant and stylish rooms range over three floors reached by a sweeping staircase. It's the perfect place to meet friends and colleagues for a coffee or a wee dram, to dine in style or host a soiree or conference.

Contact Us
28 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JX Scotland
Tel: 0131 220 2044 / Fax: 0131 225 3572
Email: 28 Queen Street

19 Greville Street, London "In the Heart of the City"
Ascend a flight of stairs and step into the Society's calm, relaxed premises above the Bleeding Heart Restaurant in Hatton Garden. In addition to the Members Room, there are two rooms available for private hire. This classic Victorian building has been refurbished in a light contemporary style and is ideally placed to mix business with pleasure.

Contact Us
London Members' Rooms
19 Greville Street, London, EC1N 8SQ
Tel: 020 7831 4447 / Fax: 020 7242 8494
Email: London Members Rooms

The Golden Rule Remember the Society’s ‘Golden Rule’ – one member, three guests. Thank you.

Courtesy of the Single Malt Whisky Society