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What is the
Scotch Malt Whisky Society?
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The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a society of and for lovers of single malt scotch whisky. |
"The range and quality of the society's single malts is unparalleled; the fact that their availability is absolutely limited to the number of bottles which can be got from each individual cask lends pathos to the enjoyment of them." - David Daiches
Scotland has over a hundred malt whisky distilleries - although only around 90 are in operation at this time. Each of them produces a malt quite different from the next, and less than half of these whiskies are available as single malts. Since the Society's foundation in 1983, we have bottled over 750 casks from 111 distilleries all over Scotland. Thus, we offer members a wide and constantly changing selection of malt whiskies. These are only available to members; they are not for sale in shops. Since the Society is independent of any distiller, it can afford to be objective in its evaluation and selection of casks.
The Society bottles all its whiskies direct from the cask, at full strength; this normally ranges from 55% to 65% alcohol. The whiskies you buy in shops are usually diluted and bottled at a constant 40% or 43% alcohol. Because dilution produces a slight cloudiness, commercial whiskies are then chilled and filtered - a process which leaves the spirit clear, but can remove some of the constituents which give it taste and character. The Society only runs its whiskies through a very coarse filter, thus leaving the original character intact.
The type and quality of casks used for maturing malt whisky have a profound effect on the flavour of the final product. In commercial bottlings, a number of casks are mixed together to combine their individual characteristics and achieve a uniform product.
By contrast, the Society exults in diversity. Each of our bottlings comes from a single cask, yielding between 200 and 700 bottles, depending on the type of cask, its age, and its tightness. Thus the wonderful variety of flavours and 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 exactly replicated. So it is a case of "catching the joy as it flies."
"The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is informal and friendly. The common purpose which brings members together - an interest in the finest liquor in the world - presupposes conviviality. You are never a stranger in such company or surroundings." - Henri Dubois
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society began as a group of friends who shared the price of a cask of fine malt whisky; only after many years did the syndicate open its doors wider. It retains its personal and companionable atmosphere in its publications, meetings and premises.
The Newsletter is sent to members three times a year. It is the only publication in the entire world 100% dedicated to malt whisky! It contains articles which are likely to be of interest to members - portraits of distilleries, news about the whisky industry, profiles of whisky people, and so on; as well as Society news, notices of tastings and meetings, and a lively letters page.
These are produced up to six times a year and carry particulars of the whiskies currently available to members. Colourful tasting notes are provided for each cask by our highly experienced Tasting Panel.
The Society has been described as "lively and sociable" - read into this what you wish. Tastings of malt whisky are held throughout the countries where the Society is present, at which members and their guests are introduced to the new bottlings and other whisky matters. In addition to the scheduled tastings, the Society also holds private tastings; contact your local branch for details. All tastings are sociable and entertaining occasions, with a dash of whisky education.
"If you don't belong, you may never taste the delights of a full strength unfiltered dram. For the malt whisky lover a subscription to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society might be the ultimate gift." - Derek Cooper
The Scotch Malt whisky Society is for anyone who enjoys drinking fine Scotch. Its purpose is to further this appreciation by making the very finest whisky available to our members - single malt whiskies from distilleries all over Scotland, bottled direct from the cask in the peak of condition.
When you join - or make a present of membership to a friend (and there is no finer gift for anyone fond of Scotch whisky) - you, or they, will
For further information, please contact the branch of the Society nearest to you.
If you have comments about this site, please contact the webmaster. Unless otherwise noted, all information in this site © The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1997.
