Live Blues Soirée In the Basement
2024-04-28 16:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Beneath Driver Lane, 3, Driver Ln, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
Live blues, Society drams, and an exclusive booking at Beneath Driver Lane!
Music & Malts month is back again for another year this April, and we’re teaming up with the fine folk at Beneath Driver Lane to bring you an afternoon of live blues and great drams. We’ll have the entire venue to ourselves with several drams on pour, grazing plates to snack on, and a cash bar for any refreshing beverages you might be feeling.
Plus, we’ll be joined by Melbourne blues heavyweight Andy McGarvie who will be providing soul-stimulating tunes throughout the event. The ticket includes 5x SMWS drams of your choice (a stamp-based system will be in place), a welcome drink, and shared grazing plates.

When? Sunday, 28th of April 2024 — 4:00pm arrival and start.
Where? Beneath Driver Lane, Shop/3 Driver Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.
*Beneath Driver Lane’s Basement Barrel Society members can purchase the non-member tickets at a special discount using the code provided by BDL.

Malts & Mutinies: Maritime Tales
2024-05-01 18:00 - 21:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | National Press Club of Australia, 16 National Circuit, Barton, ACT, 2600, Australia
Yarrh! There are so many salty stories to be told and mysteries to explore — all in stellar company with marvellous malts!
On the 1st of May, our ACT members will take a detour into previously uncharted waters, and explore epic whiskies with epic tales and tasty canapés. Local Ambassador Drew McKinnie will be hoisting the figurative sails and hosting members at the National Press Club of Australia for the first Canberra experience of the year.
Join us for an absorbing and enthralling tasting — you will learn some amazing things and come away with some fun facts of both maritime and whisky persuasion. Each ticket includes 5x delicious SMWS drams, a welcome drink, and canapés by the Press Club kitchen.

When? Wednesday, 1st of May 2024 — 6:00pm arrival for a 6pm start.
Where? National Press Club of Australia, 16 National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600.

Seats are limited, so book in ASAP to avoid missing out. Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.

Whisky & Beer with Dr Chuck Hahn and the Malt Shovel Brewery
2024-05-09 17:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Sydney) | The Malt Shovel Brewery, 99 Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
Join us for a tantalising evening as we return to the Malt Shovel Brewery, the home of James Squire beers, and also the home of two previous (and now legendary) SMWS Beer & Whisky evenings from years past!
We will again be joined by the wonderful Dr Chuck Hahn (who will be coming out of retirement for this event), and hear his wisdom on all things to do with brewing, beer, malt, and the connection to whisky. We’ll be matching four SMWS whiskies with four beers from the James Squire and/or Hahn portfolio, together with food matches to…pizza!
It is difficult to imagine a single person having a greater impact on Australia’s beer scene than the New York-born Dr Chuck Hahn. No other brewer in Australia has had quite the tour de force on the shape of Australian beer quite like Chuck has.
Brewing and educating audiences on beer and how to taste and appreciate it for 30+ years in Australia, if you’ve ever had any Hahn, Kosciuszko, Little Creatures, Steinlager, or James Squire before, you’ve tasted something that Chuck has had a hand in crafting.
After 50+ years in brewing, Dr Hahn has been formally retired but is coming out of retirement for the SMWS and this one special night at his old stomping ground, the Malt Shovel Brewery in Camperdown. Along with Andrew Derbidge, Chuck will be pairing up single-cask whiskies and special local beers for an evening of boilermakers, brewing and pizza not to be forgotten
Our evening will begin with welcome drinks and casual tours of the brewery from 5pm onwards, and we’ll be pouring the drams from 6pm to allow enough time for folks to make it to the venue…so don’t fret if you can’t get off work early!

When? Thursday, 9th of May 2024 — 5:00pm arrival, 6pm start.
Where? The Malt Shovel Brewery, 99 Pyrmont Bridge Road, Camperdown NSW 2050.

Please note that owing to the nature of the evening and the facilities at the brewery (which is not set up for food catering), it will unfortunately prove difficult to accommodate dietary requests or alternatives. Those with preferences/intolerances may wish to avail themselves of a quick bite prior to the event.
Given the limited number of places for this event, it is strictly for members, and guests of members.
Want to come along but not a Member?
Join up here — then grab your ticket!

Whisky & Wagyu at Bar 26
2024-05-23 18:30 - 20:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Bar 26, Unit 2, 26 Halloran St, Lilyfield, NSW, 2040, Australia
Bar 26 x SMWS are proud to present a lavish evening of fine wagyu and tasty drams at our newest Partner Bar!
Tickets are on sale now for our inaugural tasting experience with Otter Craft Distilling’s Bar 26 — the Society’s latest NSW Partner Bar. Indulge with a carefully prepared and curated five-course degustation of Japanese wagyu paired with 5x SMWS drams, plus an OCD whisky cocktail on arrival.

This is an exclusive whisky dinner experience hosted by Bar 26 in collaboration with SMWS Australia, tickets are strictly limited and available via Bar 26’s website.

When? Thursday, 23rd of May 2024 — 6:30pm arrival and start.
Where? Bar 26, Unit 2, 26 Halloran St, Lilyfield NSW 2040.

Please note that this event is hosted and ticketed by Bar 26; more info is available on their website.
Bookings can be made by emailing the bar directly. Limited to 25 spots.

Coffee & Whisky: Perfect Pairings
2024-05-30 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | St Ali Coffee, 12-18 Yarra Pl, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205., Australia
Single-origin coffee, with single malt drams — a collaboration of pure flavour exclusively for members.
We’re always pushing flavour boundaries here at SMWS, and this May we’re going to new frontiers! We’ve teamed up with St Ali Coffee in South Melbourne to bring you a whisky and coffee pairing to treat your palates and delight your senses.
Our VIC State Ambassador, Alex Moores, has worked closely with the St Ali team to pair 5x SMWS cask-strength drams with 5x of their distinct single-origin releases. Plus, each ticket will also include a welcome drink and assorted grazing plates. This is an exclusive members-only experience (members are welcome to bring guests); no non-members.

When? Thursday, 30th of May 2024 — 6:30pm arrival and start.
Where? St Ali Coffee, 12-18 Yarra Pl, South Melbourne VIC 3205.

Spots are limited, so be sure to book in ASAP. This is a members-only flavour experience.
Looking to come along but aren’t a member? Join up here and then grab your ticket!

The Islay Festivals Come to Melbourne
2024-06-08 14:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | The Kelvin Club, 14-30 Melbourne Pl, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
Once a year, the biggest celebration of music & whisky comes together across Scotland to celebrate the magic of each region making whisky. We’re bringing that festival to Australia for one big Saturday afternoon in the city with the official Scotch Whisky Festival bottlings flown in direct from Scotland!
Skip the lines of the brisk cold Scotland Spring and enjoy Australia’s Fèis festival in the warm surrounds of the Kelvin Club; enjoy live music whilst sampling the actual Scotch Whisky Festival exclusives (celebrating the Islay festivals, Spirit of Speyside, Campbeltown, Highlands, and Lowlands!) from the world’s leading whisky club, and available to members on the day in this bona fide whisky festival!
Experience a stunning array of 2024 Rare Releases, including a 25yo Islay bottling that we know you’re all going to enjoy, plus micro-masterclasses hosted every 60 minutes by one of our expert ambassadors. If you’re after something a bit different, the incredible Whisky & Alement team will be setting up shop for a special Historic Islay pop-up bar where you can purchase additional drams from past Fèis Ìle releases and other rare Islay bottlings from their own archive.

This is a cocktail-style festival event with food, whisky, music, and great company, all in the heart of the city at the Kelvin Club; a local Islay festival like you’ve never known! All drams are included with your ticket (except the Whisky & Alement Historic Fèis Ìle pop-up drams).
There’s nowhere else to celebrate the 2024 Scotch Whisky Festival releases in Australia so close to the actual festivals in the UK. Come and celebrate the regions of Scotch whisky with new and rare single-cask, cask-strength whiskies, and micro-masterclasses along the way.
What to expect on the day:
– A full festival featuring all 12 of the 2024 Whisky Festival rare releases from the SMWS (as well as a range of single-cask, cask-strength SMWS malts). These include releases from ALL of the whisky regions, not just Islay!
– Micro-masterclasses downstairs every hour.
– Historic Islay bar by Whisky & Alement serving past Fèis releases and rare Islay drams (available as additional purchases on the day).
– Branded SMWS glass to take home with you.
– Billiards competition (the great Islay pool competition).
– Live music, cold beer, food and more…

When? Saturday, 8th of June 2024 — 2:00pm until 6pm.
Where? The Kelvin Club, 14-30 Melbourne Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000.

All are welcome: members, friends, partners, non-members, and those looking to discover the world’s leading whisky club, the SMWS, for the first time.
Come and celebrate Scotland’s most renowned whisky festival at the same time they are in Scotland, but live in Melbourne, Australia!
Tickets are ON SALE NOW! Members and non-members are welcome to join.
Non-members will receive a $30 voucher valid for all SMWS membership types upon purchasing a ticket.

Please note that the venue has stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.

A Night of Festival Drams in Perth
2024-06-20 18:00 (Australia/Perth) | Terrarium, 99 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
The Scotch Whisky Festivals are upon us and we’re bringing that fèis spirit to Australia’s West Coast for our 2024 Flavour Hunters Festival!
Perth Partner Bar Terrarium will be host to another year of wondrous festival cask tastings as guests embrace the spirit of Speyside, the peat of Islay, the coastal salt of Campbeltown, the rich boldness of the Highlands, and the gentle whispers of the Lowlands. The Scotch Whisky Festivals are some of the most renowned and anticipated dates in the whisky calendar, celebrating each of the five Scotch Whisky regions. Six 2024 SMWS Rare Release festival bottlings will be on pour as you’re guided through them by your local Ambassador David Stucken.
Embrace the flavour hunter spirit with six exciting and exclusive Rare Releases, light supper, and a welcome drink hosted by David Stucken; a festival masterclass for the ages. This will be the only opportunity to try the official Scotch Whisky Festival bottlings in WA at the same time as they’re tasted in the UK; book in your tickets ASAP to avoid missing out on one of the most exciting dates in the whisky calendar!

When? Thursday, 20th of June 2024 — 6:00pm arrival for a 6:30pm start.
Where? Terrarium Bar, 99 St Georges Terrace (Howards St Entrance), Perth WA 6000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.

Sweet, Sweet Festival Casks
2024-06-22 14:00 - 17:30 (Australia/Adelaide) | Spier & Wright, U1/151 King William Road, Unley, South Australia, 5061, Australia
Desserts & festival drams! Are you ready for the sweet rare release(s)?
The Scotch whisky season is upon us! The most anticipated time in the Scotch calendar and Mr Cody Banks, your local South Australian SMWS Ambassador, has prepped quite the tasting experience leveraging May’s dessert theme and June’s fèis spirit! We invite you to join us at our latest Partner Bar in Adelaide, Spier & Wright, where we’ll team up with local treat-makers Landoughs for some whisky and doughnut pairings!
Each ticket includes 6x SMWS Rare Release festival drams, an array of local doughnuts from Landoughs, savoury grazing plates, and a welcome drink. A true flavour explosion and one not to miss as we celebrate Desserts & Drams month, Scotland’s Scotch whisky festivals, and the launch of our latest Adelaide Partner Bar, Spier & Wright!

When? Saturday, 22nd of June 2024 — 2:00pm arrival and start.
Where? Spier & Wright, 151 King William Road, Unley SA 5061.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices; non-members are also welcome to attend.

The Islay Festivals Come to Sydney
2024-06-22 14:00 - 18:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Royal Automobile Club, 89 Macquarie Street, SYDNEY, NSW, 2000, Australia
Once a year, the biggest celebration of music & whisky comes together across Scotland to celebrate the magic of each region making whisky. We’re bringing that festival to Australia for one big Saturday afternoon in the city with the official 2024 Festival bottlings flown in direct from Scotland!
Skip the lines of the brisk cold Scotland Spring and enjoy Australia’s Fèis festival in the warm surrounds of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia; enjoy live music whilst sampling the actual Scotch Whisky Festival (celebrating the Islay festivals (Fèis Ìle), Spirit of Speyside, Campbeltown, Highlands, and Lowlands!) exclusives from the world’s leading whisky club, and available to members on the day in this bona fide whisky festival!
Experience a stunning array of 2024 Rare Releases, including a 25yo Islay bottling that we know you’re all going to enjoy, plus micro-masterclasses hosted every 60 minutes by one of our expert ambassadors. If you’re after something a bit different, the incredible Whisky & Alement team will be setting up shop for a special Historic Islay pop-up bar where you can purchase additional drams from past Fèis Ìle releases and other rare Islay bottlings from their own archive.

This is a cocktail-style festival event with food, whisky, music, and great company, all in the regal surrounds of the Royal Automobile Club of Australia’s Queens room; a local Fèis experience like you’ve never known!
There’s nowhere else to celebrate the 2024 Scotch Whisky Festival releases in Australia so close to the actual festivals in the UK. Come and celebrate the regions of Scotch whisky with new and rare single-cask, cask-strength whiskies, and micro-masterclasses along the way.
What to expect on the day:
– A full festival featuring all 12 of the 2024 Whisky Festival rare releases from the SMWS (as well as a range of single-cask, cask-strength SMWS malts). These include releases from ALL of the whisky regions, not just Islay!
– Micro-masterclasses every hour.
– Historic Islay bar by Whisky & Alement serving past Fèis releases and rare Islay drams (available as additional purchases on the day).
– Branded SMWS glass to take home with you.
– Competitions on the day to win a bottle worth $499 + other prizes.
– Live music, cold beer, food and more…

When? Saturday, 22nd of June 2024 — 2:00pm until 6pm.
Where? Royal Automobile Club of Australia, Victoria Ballroom and Pioneers’ Room, 89 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.

All are welcome: members, friends, partners, non-members, and those looking to discover the world’s leading whisky club, the SMWS, for the first time.
Come and celebrate Scotland’s most renowned whisky festival at the same time they are in Scotland, but live in Sydney, Australia!
Tickets are ON SALE NOW! Members and non-members are welcome to join.
Non-members will receive a $30 voucher valid for all SMWS membership types upon purchasing a ticket.

Malt Dining Festivals Dinner
2024-06-22 18:00 - 20:30 (Australia/Brisbane) | Malt Dining, 28 Market St, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
Happy Fèis — the festival casks touchdown in Brisbane!
Every year, the Scotch Whisky calendar has several dates to look forward to, but none are so coveted or anticipated as the Scotch Whisky Festivals — from Fèis Ìle on Islay to the Spirit of Speyside! As always, the SMWS is bringing you several Scotch Whisky Festival releases available to try at the same time as those in the UK — an absolute treat!
Your local SMWS Ambassador Scott Mansfield has prepared a treat with our friends at Malt Dining — a private dinner expertly prepared by the kitchen to complement 6x of the 2024 Rare Release festival bottlings (plus a welcome drink), all served in the venue’s gorgeous Cellar private dining space. Soak up the fèis spirit amongst passionate friends and fellow members whilst you enjoy some tasty drams and a hearty meal.

When? Saturday, 22nd of June 2024 — 6:00pm arrival and start.
Where? Malt Dining (Attic Room), 28 Market St, 4000 Brisbane.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.

Scotch & Sherry: An SMWS Documentary Private Viewing
2024-06-26 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Backlot Studios, 165 Bank St, South Melbourne, VIC, 3205, Australia
Introducing our Sherry & Scotch SMWS Documentary!
Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of sherry cask maturation, as Richard and Euan from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society set off on a journey from the oak forests of Galicia to the vineyards and bodegas of Andalucia in the upcoming documentary “Scotch & Sherry: A Flavour Odyssey”.
The SMWS are trailblazing sherry casks this year after a concerted effort to increase the amount of good sherried whisky in our lives! To celebrate, we’ve filmed a 37-minute documentary about it featuring Euan Campbell, Richard Goslan and other special guests. Get deep into the details of sherry casks over in Jerez, Spain, and learn all about the usage of these casks in whisky. Be the first in Australia to watch this film on the big screen with fellow members.
We’ve organised a takeover of the private cinema at The Backlot Studios in South Melbourne, where we’ll sip a welcome drink and enjoy 3x sherried Society whiskies whilst watching the documentary. Plus, we’ll be hosting a Q&A where we’ll hear answers directly from Euan on the night!

When? Wednesday, 26th of June 2024 — 6:30pm arrival, 7pm start.
Where? The Backlot Studios, 165 Bank St, South Melbourne, VIC 3205.

This event is exclusive to members and guests of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, and tickets are strictly limited.

ON SALE NOW!
If you have questions for Euan, you can submit them here by the 8th of June.

Let The Festivals Begin, Tassie!
2024-06-29 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Hobart) | New Sydney Hotel, 87 Bathurst St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
The Scotch Whisky Festivals are here, and Tassie, you’re in for a real treat!
Every year, the Scotch Whisky calendar has several dates to look forward to, but none are so coveted or anticipated as the Scotch Whisky Festivals — from Fèis Ìle on Islay to the Spirit of Speyside! As always, the SMWS is bringing you several Scotch Whisky Festival releases available to try at the same time as those in the UK — an absolute treat!
Your local SMWS Ambassador Mr Tom Rofe has organised a classic festivals dinner at our Partner Bar the New Sydney Hotel in Hobart for members and friends where you will enjoy 6x of the 2024 Rare Release festival bottlings, a welcome drink, and two-course dinner. Soak up the fèis spirit amongst passionate friends and fellow members whilst you enjoy some tasty drams and a hearty meal.

When? Saturday, 29th of June 2024 — 6:30pm arrival for a 6:45pm start.
Where? New Sydney Hotel, 87 Bathurst St, Hobart TAS 7000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.

A Traditional Scottish Winter Fare
2024-07-19 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke St, Fairy Meadow, NSW, 2519, Australia
A winter whisky buffet not to be missed upstairs at the beloved Frat Club!

What better way to celebrate winter than with some of the Society’s finest drams and a buffet of some of your favourite Scottish culinary delights? Join Wollongong Society Ambassador Fred Apolloni for a flavour odyssey to warm the heart and delight the senses with 5x tasty Society malts enjoyed around a full winter buffet of traditional Scottish food.

Plus, there will be a special surprise for members on the night…

A strictly limited dining event; join your fellow Society comrades for a mid-year feast to discuss and taste through new releases and rare malts from the Society’s stable.

When? Friday the 19th of July, 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start.
Where? Upstairs at The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke St, Fairy Meadow, 2519.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices; non-members are also welcome to attend.

The Festival Casks (At Long Last) Land in Lonnie!
2024-07-20 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Hobart) | Alida at Penny Royal, 1 Bridge Rd, Launceston, Tasmania, 7250, Australia
Don’t think we forgot about you, Launceston! Are you ready to experience the 2024 Rare Release festival bottlings?
Every year, the Scotch Whisky calendar has several dates to look forward to, but none are so coveted or anticipated as the Scotch Whisky Festivals — from Fèis Ìle on Islay to the Spirit of Speyside! As always, the SMWS is bringing you several Scotch Whisky Festival releases available to try not that long after those in the UK get to try them — an absolute treat!
Your local SMWS Ambassador Mr Tom Rofe has organised a stylish and tasty festivals dinner at Alida in Penny Royal for members and friends where you will enjoy 6x of the 2024 Rare Release festival bottlings, a welcome drink, and a two-course dinner (main and dessert). Plus, there’ll be bonus takeaway dram prizes to be won on the night! Soak up the fèis spirit amongst passionate friends and fellow members whilst you enjoy some tasty drams and a hearty meal.

When? Saturday, 20th of July 2024 — 6:30pm arrival for a 6:45pm start.

Where? Alida Restaurant at Penny Royal, 1 Bridge Rd, Launceston TAS 7250.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.

Boilermaker Spectacle — Fox Friday x SMWS
2024-07-28 13:00 - 16:00 (Australia/Perth) | Fox Friday Perth, 84/88 Goodwood Pde, Burswood, WA, 6100., Australia
A boilermaker, a hauf an’ hauf, whatever you want to call it, the marriage of beer and whisky is a marvellous flavour exercise, and we’re ready to go to the next level with Fox Friday Brewery!
Celebrate boilermaker month with the SMWS in July with a five-dram boilermaker line-up with the passionate brew legends from Fox Friday Brewery. For those who are unaware, a boilermaker is a pairing of whisky and beer; this can be used to create contrasting or complementing flavours, and really enhance one’s flavour experience when done correctly.
Hosted by your local Ambassador David Stucken and James McMerrin from Fox Friday, guests will be treated to 5x single-cask, cask-strength whiskies from the Society, carefully paired with 5x brews from Fox Friday (with a resulting flavour that will tantalise the senses), a welcome drink on arrival, and a light lunch to keep you going throughout the tasting.

When? Sunday, 28th of July 2024 — 12:30pm arrival for a 1:00pm start.

Where? Fox Friday, 84/88 Goodwood Pde., Burswood WA 6100.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

Sydney Winter Whisky Dinner— SMWS x Franz Scheurer x Izy.Aki
2024-07-29 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Izy.Aki, Cadmans Cottage Stairs 106B George Street, The Rocks, NSW, 2000, Australia
As Society Sydney Winter Whisky Dinners go — and we’ve had over a dozen now! — this is surely one of the most enticing ever.
The undisputed master of matching food to whisky, Franz Scheurer, returns once more for us, and this time he’s teaming up with the incredible Darren Templeman at Izy.Aki.
Come and experience what “1+1=3” is all about! Darren’s culinary CV has few peers, and his fresh take on Japanese Kappo Omakase dining has made Izy.Aki one of Sydney’s tastiest destinations. There are precious few restaurants where one of the best chefs in the country personally serves and explains the dishes to you, and the opportunity to pair his stunning creativity and hospitality with Society whiskies, together with Franz’s magical touch, is a mouthwatering prospect.
Being a true izakaya-style venue, this will be an intimate dinner with room for just 24 diners as we take over the restaurant for the night. 5x Society whiskies paired with 5x carefully paired dishes, curated to match (plus a welcome drink). If you’ve never been to a Franz Scheurer whisky dinner and you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, book your seat quickly!

When? Monday, 29th of June 2024 — 6:30pm arrival and start.
Where? Izy.Aki, Cadmans Cottage Stairs 106B George Street, The Rocks NSW 2000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.

Please advise of any dietary requirements when booking. While substitutions and adjustments can happily be accommodated, please note that as a whisky-matching dinner, the menu and the dishes have been specifically prepared to combine with the whiskies for a “1+1=3” experience. Substituted dishes may not achieve quite the same match.

TICKETS ON SALE THURSDAY 13th, MIDDAY AEST.

The Grand Tour of Speyside Heads North!
2024-08-08 18:00 - 20:30 (Australia/Brisbane) | Malt Dining, 28 Market St, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
The Grand Tour of Speyside continues around Australia, next stop — Brisbane!
Join Keeper of The Quaich and SMWS Australia Chairman Andrew Derbidge for what will easily be one of the most focused, detailed, and informative whisky masterclasses ever presented in Australia as we embark on a grand tour of Speyside and the River Spey.
We’ll explore the region in depth, looking not just at distilleries, but at the region’s geography, history, people, science, and place in the whisky industry. We’ll also present a wee Speyside travel guide (where to stay, wine, and dine!), and, of course, we’ll be exploring and tasting six diverse whiskies from six very unique Speyside distilleries encompassing different flavour profiles, cask types, and age statements.
On the night, we will be hosted in Malt Dining’s Attic, where guests will enjoy canapés and 6x incredible Speyside malts, entertainment, education, giveaways, and a presentation like no other from Andrew Derbidge.

When? Thursday, 8th of August 2024 — 6:00pm arrival and 6:30pm start.
Where? Malt Dining (Attic), 28 Market St, 4000 Brisbane.

This is an exclusive tasting experience and thus tickets are very limited. If you’re interested, we advise you book in quick to avoid disappointment.
Members are welcome bring guests at member prices; non-members are also welcome to attend.

Bottle Launch: Maple-Mustard Pulled Pork with Whisky & Alement
2024-08-13 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Fancy Hanks, 1/79 Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
We’re extremely stoked to announce that everyone’s favourite Partner Bar, Whisky & Alement have chosen a third Society cask to be bottled for the bar!
That’s right, introducing Cask 39.289 Maple-mustard pulled pork! This tasty 17-year-old bottling was chosen by Whisky & Alement’s Brooke and Jules and is the third Society cask they’ve chosen for bottling through the SMWS. To celebrate the launch of this exclusive cask, we’re teaming up with the smoke masters at Fancy Hanks for a whisky and American BBQ launch party!
Guests will have the opportunity to try Cask 39.289 before it’s released, as well as enjoy a full American BBQ dinner, a specially prepared cocktail from the Whisky & Alement team, and some other tasty drams from the archive. This is an exclusive opportunity to taste the unreleased bottling and learn from the W&A team themselves about why they selected this cask and how it differs from their first two choices.
We’ll also be offering a special ticket option for those wishing to pre-order the bottle at an exclusive pre-release price; these ticket holders will be able to take home their bottle on the night.

When? Tuesday, 13th of August 2024 — 6:30pm arrival and 7pm start.
Where? Fancy Hank’s, 1/79 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000.

This event is strictly limited to members of SMWS Australia; members are welcome to bring a guest at member pricing.

Please note that tickets will go on sale Monday 15th, midday AEST.

The Grand Tour of Speyside in Canberra!
2024-08-22 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Sydney) | Table Canberra, 5/146 Scollay Street, Greenway, ACT, 2900, Australia
The Grand Tour of Speyside continues around Australia, next stop — Canberra!
Join Keeper of The Quaich and SMWS Australia Chairman Andrew Derbidge for what will easily be one of the most focused, detailed, and informative whisky masterclasses ever presented in Australia as we embark on a grand tour of Speyside and the River Spey.
We’ll explore the region in depth, looking not just at distilleries, but at the region’s geography, history, people, science, and place in the whisky industry. We’ll also present a wee Speyside travel guide (where to stay, wine, and dine!), and, of course, we’ll be exploring and tasting six diverse whiskies from six very unique Speyside distilleries encompassing different flavour profiles, cask types, and age statements.
On the night we’ll enjoy the gorgeous hospitality of Chef Thomas at the two-hatted Table Canberra restaurant and a series of canapés and degustation small plates, in addition to 6x incredible Speyside malts, entertainment, education, giveaways, and a presentation like no other.
A classic evening at the incredible Table Canberra with our NSW State Ambassador at large, Andrew Derbidge, and local ACT Ambassador Drew McKinnie.

When? Thursday the 22nd of August, 6:30pm arrival and start.
Where? Table By Canberra Gourmet, 5/146 Scollay Street, Greenway ACT 2900.

Members are welcome to bring guests along at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.

The Grand Tour of Speyside: Hobart Edition
2024-08-29 18:30 - 20:30 (Australia/Hobart) | New Sydney Hotel, 87 Bathurst St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
The Grand Tour of Speyside continues around Australia, next stop — Hobart, Tassie!
Join Keeper of The Quaich and SMWS Australia Chairman Andrew Derbidge for what will easily be one of the most focused, detailed, and informative whisky masterclasses ever presented in Australia as we embark on a grand tour of Speyside and the River Spey.
We’ll explore the region in depth, looking not just at distilleries, but at the region’s geography, history, people, science, and place in the whisky industry. We’ll also present a wee Speyside travel guide (where to stay, wine, and dine!), and, of course, we’ll be exploring and tasting six diverse whiskies from six very unique Speyside distilleries encompassing different flavour profiles, cask types, and age statements.
The experience includes a two-course dinner at the beloved SMWS Partner Bar — the New Sydney Hotel — 6x incredible single-cask, cask-strength Speyside malts hand-selected by Andrew, entertainment, education, giveaways, and a presentation like no other from our very own SMWS Australia Chairman, Andrew Derbidge.

When? Thursday, 29th of August 2024 — 6:30pm arrival and 6:45pm start.
Where? New Sydney Hotel, 87 Bathurst St, Hobart 7000.

This is an exclusive tasting experience and thus tickets are very limited. If you’re interested, we advise you book in ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Members are welcome bring guests at member prices; non-members are also welcome to attend.

The Grand Tour of Speyside: Launceston Edition
2024-08-30 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Hobart) | Alida at Penny Royal, 1 Bridge Rd, Launceston, Tasmania, 7250, Australia
The Grand Tour of Speyside continues around Australia, next stop — Launceston, Tassie!
Hot on the heels of our Hobart Speyside stop, Keeper of The Quaich and SMWS Australia Chairman Andrew Derbidge brings his Grand Tour of Speyside to Launceston! This will easily be one of the most focused, detailed, and informative whisky masterclasses ever presented in Australia as we embark on a grand tour of Speyside and the River Spey.
We’ll explore the region in depth, looking not just at distilleries, but at the region’s geography, history, people, science, and place in the whisky industry. We’ll also present a wee Speyside travel guide (where to stay, wine, and dine!), and, of course, we’ll be exploring and tasting six diverse whiskies from six very unique Speyside distilleries encompassing different flavour profiles, cask types, and age statements.
The experience includes a two-course dinner at scenic Allida Restaurant at Penny Royal, 6x incredible single-cask, cask-strength Speyside malts hand-selected by Andrew, entertainment, education, giveaways, and a presentation like no other from our very own SMWS Australia Chairman, Andrew Derbidge.

When? Friday, 30th of August 2024 — 6:30pm arrival and 6:45pm start.
Where? Alida Restaurant at Penny Royal, 1 Bridge Rd, Launceston 7250.

This is an exclusive tasting experience and thus tickets are very limited. If you’re interested, we advise you book in ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Members are welcome bring guests at member prices; non-members are also welcome to attend.

September Outturn Preview: Melbourne (Cancelled)
2024-09-03 18:30 - 20:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Enjoy a little taste of what’s to come in September Outturn upstairs at Whisky & Alement!

Join us upstairs at Whisky & Alement in Melbourne for a classic six-dram Society tasting as we preview some of the upcoming bottlings coming in September Outturn. Your local State Ambassador Alex Moores will take you through each of the six drams as you nose and taste new Society flavours from codes old and new…
Your ticket includes six Society drams plus sharing cheese boards to nibble on throughout the evening. Limited spots are available for this intimate tasting experience which is a fantastic opportunity to dive into some of the flavours of September Outturn before they’re released; select bottles will also be available to pre-purchase on the evening ahead of their release to all members.

When? Tuesday, 3 September 2024 — 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start.
Where? Whisky & Alement Upstairs — 270 Russell Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend. Please note that the bottling line-up will be different to the bottlings at the Kelvin Club Gathering dinner.

Unfortunately this event is no longer going ahead. Ticket holders will be contacted individually.

SMWS x BASIK Chocolates LIVE in Brisbane
2024-09-05 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Common Vice, 2/75 Welsby St, New Farm, Queensland, 4005, Australia
One night in Brisbane — Krsna Rajalingam of BASIK Chocolates will present a flavour pairing experience like no other.
Join Krsna and your local State Ambassador Scott Mansfield at Common Vice for the only in-person SMWS x BASIK Chocolates pairing experience of 2024! Guests will be treated to 5x single-cask, cask-strength Society drams and 5x different handmade chocolate bonbons (two of each flavour for a total of 10x bonbons per person), as well as a welcome drink and some tasty small plates from Common Vice’s Asian-fusion kitchen.
For those unfamiliar with Krsna and his work, he has this incredible ability to craft the most insane flavours into bite-sized chocolate delights using ingredients you thought you would never see in chocolate. This is a unique experience to see Krsna work his magic and discuss flavour up close and personal — an event not to be missed and one that some members have joined the Society exclusively for!

When? Thursday, 5th of September 2024 — 6:30pm arrival and 7:00pm start.
Where? Common Vice, 2/75 Welsby St, New Farm 4005.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member ticket prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.

ON SALE NOW!

Global Gathering 2024: Perth
2024-09-05 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Perth) | Terrarium, 99 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Gear up for the 2024 Global Gathering in Perth — plus a September Outturn advance preview!
Global Gathering is an SMWS initiative started several years ago where we dedicate the entire month of September to emphasise the ethos that whisky should be shared, not just with your friends and neighbours, but with fellow Society members from all over the world! Each branch has an entire cask bottled exclusively for its local members; and whilst it’s still too soon to unveil the details of our Australian-exclusive Gathering cask, we have organised an intimate tasting at Western Australia’s favourite Partner Bar!
Thursday the 5th of September will be a night not to miss at Terrarium as your local Ambassador and effervescent personality Xander Stucken will be hosting an intimate tasting downstairs in the private tasting lounge. What will guests be tasting, you might ask? The Gathering bottle, of course (which will soon be announced), in addition to 5x unreleased September Outturn bottlings. That’s right, not only are we celebrating the Gathering in Perth this September, but we’re also offering a chance for members to try some unreleased bottles a day before they go on sale to other members (with priority orders available to be placed on the night). Guests will also enjoy a generous selection of sharing plates from the kitchen included in their ticket.

When? Thursday, 5th of September 2024 — 6:30pm arrival and 7:00pm start.
Where? Terrarium Bar, 99 St Georges Terrace (Howards St Entrance), Perth WA 6000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices; non-members are also welcome to attend.

Global Gathering 2024: Melbourne Dinner
2024-09-12 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | The Kelvin Club, 14-30 Melbourne Pl, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
The Melbourne 2024 Global Gathering is coming!
Global Gathering is an SMWS initiative started several years ago where we dedicate the entire month of September to emphasise the ethos that whisky should be shared, not just with your friends and neighbours, but with fellow Society members from all over the world! Each branch has an entire cask bottled exclusively for its local members; and whilst it’s still too soon to unveil the details of our Australian-exclusive Gathering cask, we have organised a tasty and inviting whisky dinner for our Victorian members!
For 2024, we will be returning to the Kelvin Club in the Melbourne CBD for a classic whisky dinner — a welcome drink, two courses and 5x Society drams (including the Gathering cask, of course) will be included in your ticket with your local VIC Ambassador Alex Moores guiding you through each cask whilst sharing the Gathering spirit.

When? Thursday, 12 September 2024 — 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start.
Where? The Kelvin Club — 14-30 Melbourne Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are welcome and encouraged to attend. We’re also offering a special ticket + membership option for non-members looking to join at an exclusive Gathering price.

ON SALE NOW!

Global Gathering 2024: Sydney Whisky Party
2024-09-14 14:30 - 18:30 (Australia/Sydney) | The Captain’s Balcony Crows Nest, 116 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest, NSW, 2065, Australia
Gear up for the 2024 Global Gathering in Sydney!
Global Gathering is an SMWS initiative started several years ago where we dedicate the entire month of September to emphasise the ethos that whisky should be shared, not just with your friends and neighbours, but with fellow Society members from all over the world! Each branch has an entire cask bottled exclusively for its local members; and whilst it’s still too soon to unveil the details of our Australian-exclusive Gathering cask, we have organised an incredible whisky party for our NSW members!
This year, we’re celebrating at NSW Partner Bar The Captain’s Balcony in Crows Nest, where we have exclusive access to the upstairs room for a token-based whisky party complete with food and a cash bar downstairs if you feel like additional beverages or meals. Join the friendly faces of our Sydney SMWS team for an afternoon of tasting through 9x different Society drams (including the 2024 Gathering bottling) at your own pace!
We’ll break halfway through the afternoon for a little bit of discussion about the Gathering bottling and food (each guest will receive their own small plate), before returning for some more drams and hearty camaraderie.

When? Saturday, 14th of September 2024 — 2:30pm arrival and 3pm start.
Where? The Captain’s Balcony Crows Nest, 116 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest NSW 2065.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices; non-members are also welcome to attend at a special price that includes one-year of membership!

Savile Row Partner Bar Launch!
2024-10-18 17:30 - 20:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Savile Row, 667 Ann St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, 4006, Australia
Cat’s out of the bag! Introducing Savile Row in Brisbane as our latest SMWS Partner Bar — and we’re hosting an incredible Gathering tasting to celebrate its launch!
If you’ve ever been to Savile Row in Fortitude Valley, then you’ll know what an absolute arthouse the venue is; a stately and luxe setting with appealing furnishings and gorgeous hardware (not to mention the incredible chandelier suspended on the ceiling). We are so excited to have them on board as a Partner Bar and host this incredible tasting experience.
After the initial welcome drink, we will be tasting through 5x tasty single-cask, cask-strength Society whiskies (including the 2024 Aussie Gathering bottling Cask 59.86 The beneficence of bees) and enjoying some tasty Japanese snacks provided by Bird’s Nest across the road. This will be a hybrid presentation/cocktail-style event with 6pm – 7pm acting as a formal tasting before some more relaxed mingling can take place (with additional drinks being able to be purchased from the bar).

When? Friday, 18 October 2024 — 5:45pm arrival and 6pm start.
Where? Savile Row (behind the orange door), 667 Ann St, Fortitude Valley Brisbane 3006.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also welcome to attend.

Whisky Whisky Brisbane 2024
2024-10-19 13:00 - 19:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Whisky Whisky Festival, Fish Lane, South Brisbane, Queensland, 4101, Australia
SMWS Australia is proud to announce that we’ll once again be pouring some tasty drams at Whisky Whisky in Brisbane this year!
Join us on Saturday the 19th of October down Fish Lane for the third annual Whisky Whisky festival hosted by the Supping Club. 100+ whiskies, exclusive dream drams, and of course the finest single-cask, cask-strength expressions from the world’s leading whisky club — The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. We’ll be exhibiting with a selection of curated bottlings including some real special pours for members.
Guests can attend one of two sessions (or both, if they wish).
Session 1: 1pm – 3:30pm
Session 2: 4:30pm – 7pm
What’s included in your ticket?

A wristband that unlocks all 100+ pours from all whisky partners at the event.
A dream-dram token for your choice of one premium pour.
A delicious lunch from Hello Please.
A Whisky Whisky branded glass for you to keep!

Tickets are on sale now from the Supping Club’s website.

Splendid Springtime Dramming Gathering
2024-10-24 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Royal Canberra Golf Club, 71 Bentham St, Yarralumla, ACT, 2600, Australia
Spring is setting in and the sun is shining over the Royal Canberra Golf Course — won’t you join us for a splendid Society gathering?
Daylight saving, spring weather, longer days, lovely sunsets, splendid company? All ticked. Join State Ambassador Drew McKinnie at the Royal Canberra Golf Course on the 24th of October for a relaxed and convivial evening featuring a wide range of whisky flavour profiles and tasty canapés and charcuterie to keep you cheerful and exploring.
In past years we’ve mentioned a STEPS format tasting — this means multiple stands with several types of whisky where you can pick and choose what you like to taste at your own pace. No need to rush, this will be an evening of leisure and good times with fellow Society friends old and new.
Your whisky passport will allow your taste buds and olfactory senses to take you to new dramming destinations with 8x SMWS bottlings on pour for you to taste through! Plus, 5x different canapés to be enjoyed throughout the evening and plenty of charcuterie to snack on. Shake off the winter chills and bask in the warmth of the spring evening in joyful company.

When? Thursday, 24 October 2024 — 6:30pm arrival and start.
Where? Royal Canberra Golf Course, 71 Bentham St, Yarralumla ACT 2600.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also encouraged to come along and see what the Society is all about.
Please note that the RCGC has a strict dress code: Smart Casual or Business.
No denim, jeans, shorts, or cargo pants.

The Grand Tour of Speyside Comes Home!
2024-10-31 18:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Sydney) | The Oak Barrel, 152 Elizabeth St, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
A.D. brings his favourite Society format home to Sydney for an in-depth exploration of Scotland’s Speyside region!
The Grand Tour of Speyside is an incredible whisky experience that we first presented in Sydney in 2022. Since then, we’ve taken it on the road and presented this tasting in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Wollongong, Katoomba, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, and Launceston. After two years on the road, we figured it would be fitting for the tour to return back to where it all started: Sydney. Join us for an incredible evening as we undertake a virtual tour of Speyside: We’ll float downstream on the River Spey, checking out the scenery, the people, the villages, the attractions, the accommodation, the activities, and — of course — the distilleries along the way.
In fact, we’ll taste no less than seven Speyside malts, with an accompanying light supper, as we explore the area in detail. If you’ve never been to Scotland, you’ll leave this event feeling like you know all corners of the Speyside region.
“Of the hundreds of tastings I’ve hosted for the Society over the last 20 years, this is hands-down my favourite…” — Andrew Derbidge.
Please join our Chairman and NSW Ambassador Andrew Derbidge for a night of fun, flavour, and exploration.

When? Thursday, 31 October 2024 — 6:15pm arrival and 6:30pm start.
Where? The Oak Barrel, 152 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices. Non-members are also encouraged to come along and see what the Society is all about.
