An SMWS Burns Night — Haggis & Drams
2024-01-25 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Royal Automobile Club, 89 Macquarie Street, SYDNEY, NSW, 2000, Australia
Prepare yourself for an evening of spectacular single-cask malts, haggis, and traditional Scottish pipes.

The time has once again come around when we get to celebrate the birthday of Scotland’s greatest poet and romantic, Robert Burns.
Join us for our first 2024 Society event in Sydney at the RACA’s ISC room. A night of haggis, pipers, poetry and of course, solid cask-strength whisky. Mr Anthony Cowie will be on-site to address the haggis in what will be a traditional tribute to Robbie Burns hosted by your NSW State Ambassador Andrew Derbidge.
A welcome drink, five single-cask SMWS drams, a dinner of fresh Scottish produce, some poetry, and piping, all in the surrounds of the stunning and stately Royal Automobile Club.

When? Thursday 25th January 2024 — 6:30pm arrival for a 7pm start.
Where? The Royal Automobile Club of Australia (ISC Room), 89 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000.

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

The Society's Terrarium BBQ!
2023-12-27 17:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Perth) | Terrarium, 99 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…who doesn’t love BBQ and cask-strength drams?

Flock to Terrarium’s rooftop and bask in the setting sun with our WA Society Christmas party! A festive gathering and the most exciting experience of the year. Several different drams to choose from, beer on arrival, and your local State Ambassador Xander Stucken cooking up a feast on the barbecue — what’s not to love? This isn’t any ordinary tasting — guests will be in for a fun, laid-back social affair amongst friends and members in the leisurely time between Boxing Day and NYD.
Each ticket guarantees you dinner, a welcome beer (from local legends Nowhereman Brewing) and 5x tokens to redeem on 5x drams of your choosing (with the rest of the bottlings being available to purchase by the dram on the day).

When? Wednesday 27th of December 2023 — 5:00pm arrival and start.

Where? Terrarium — 99 St Georges Terrace (Howards St Entrance), Perth WA 6000.
Pictured: Xander getting the balcony ready for an epic Christmas party.

Christmas Cheer in Adelaide!
2023-12-16 14:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Adelaide) | Spier & Wright, U1/151 King William Road, Unley, South Australia, 5061, Australia
Three-cheers to end-of-year drams!

Let’s get into the dramming spirit this Christmas with some top-notch SMWS drams and delicious craft ales at Spier & Wright! Your local State Ambassador Cody Banks has organised a lovely afternoon of boilermaker pairings and good times with 5x SMWS drams and 2x craft ales of your choosing. Plus, there’ll be several pizzas laid out for guests to enjoy with their beverages.
Join us on Saturday the 16th of December to see 2023 out in style with Society comrades, a good feed, and delicious flavours.

When? Saturday 16th of December 2023 — 2:00pm arrival and start.
Where? Spier & Wright Whisky Merchants, U1/151 King William Road, Unley, SA 5061.

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

Hobart Boilermaker Christmas Crawl
2023-12-16 12:30 - 17:00 (Australia/Hobart) | Multiple Venues
Who’s ready for a Society boilermaker bar crawl?
Join in for the Hobart SMWS Christmas Party, as we crawl our way through three great boilermakers! We’ll be hitting up Overland Brewery and Distillery, Deep South Brewery and finishing at the New Sydney Hotel for the final three drams.
Nathan, Head Distiller of Overland, will greet us and give us a tour of the distillery and brewery, before an Overland boilermaker with an SMWS dram. Phase two will see guests take a nice stroll down to Deep South Brewery, where we will be taken on a Deep South tour, before another boilermaker and delicious pizza for lunch.
To end a perfect afternoon, we will be finishing up in the outdoor courtyard of the premier Tasmanian Partner Bar, New Sydney Hotel, to indulge in the last boilermaker and three Society drams which you can enjoy at your own leisure. An exquisite pilgrimage led by your local State Ambassador Tom Rofe with 5x Society drams, three beer pairings, and lunch.

When? Saturday 16th of December 2023 — 12:30pm arrival and start.
Where?
– Starting at Overland Brewery and Distillery (284 Argyle St, North Hobart, Tasmania 7000)
– Deep South Brewery (220 Argyle Street, North Hobart, Tasmania, 7000)
– New Sydney Hotel (87 Bathurst Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000)

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

Bowls, Burgers, Whisky! Sydney Xmas Party
2023-12-09 13:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Sydney) | The Greens, 50 Ridge St, North Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia
Lawn bowls! Burgers! Whisky! Beer! The official whisky Xmas party for Sydney is LOCKED and LOADED.
We’ve seen rose gardens, we’ve seen club lounges, we’ve seen partner bars…for 2023 we’re going bowling! Join your SMWS team at The Greens in North Sydney for our official 2023 Christmas party with drams, barefoot bowling, burgers, and good times to see the year out. How’s your lawn bowling skills? It doesn’t really matter, because we’ll be enjoying some exceptional drams via our classic token-based system, with plenty of tasty food to go around.
Come on down to The Greens and celebrate the 2023 finale with us and fellow Society members. The lawn bowls might be new, but one thing will remain the same: Matt Wooler’s Hawaiian shirts and fedora. You don’t want to miss this!

When? Saturday 9th of December 2023 — 1:00pm arrival and start.

Where? The Greens, 50 Ridge St, North Sydney NSW 2060.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member prices.

A Christmas Treat in the Gong!
2023-12-01 18:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Sydney) | M2 Kitchen, 1/354 Keira St, Wollongong, NSW, 2500, Australia
Whisky, wine and dinner pairings — are you ready to celebrate another brilliant year?
A glorious dinner awaits you at the M2 kitchen! Join your State Ambassador Fred Apolloni for a specially-curated dinner that pairs our unique single-cask, cask-strength Society drams, some excellent wines, and food. A multi-course sensory experience complemented by cask exploration and storytelling from Mr Apolloni.

This is an event not to be missed, a stunning way to round out 2023. Come and celebrate amongst good friends and Society comrades with delicious wine, mouth-watering food and exceptional Society drams.

When? Friday, December 1st 2023 — 6:00pm arrival for a 6:30pm start.

Where? M2 Kitchen, 1/354 Keira St, Wollongong NSW 2500

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

Brisbane's Christmas Malt Dinner
2023-11-30 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Brisbane) | Malt Dining, 28 Market St, Brisbane, Queensland, 4000, Australia
Whisky, dinner, BASIK chocolate — are you ready for a flavour overload, Brisbane?
The SMWS returns to Brisbane in what is guaranteed to be a flavour explosion! In our 40th year as the world’s leading whisky club, we’re still delivering exquisite single-cask, cask-strength whisky to our members, and we look forward to providing an unforgettable experience at Malt Dining for a multi-tiered evening of flavour exploration — which is what The Society is all about!
Join your State Ambassador Scott Mansfield and Krsna Raj from BASIK Chocolates for a curated selection of five SMWS drams (plus a welcome drink), a tasty dinner prepared by the Malt Dining kitchen, and some mouth-watering handmade chocolates from BASIK to cap the evening off. A fine way to see off the year amongst good friends and fellow flavour enthusiasts. Seats are limited, so be sure to book in quickly to avoid disappointment.
When? Thursday 30th of November 2023 — 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start.
Where? Malt Dining, 28 Market St, Brisbane QLD 4000.
Members are welcome to bring guests at member pricing. Non-members are also welcome to attend.
This event is now fully booked – to be added to a waitlist in case of cancellations, please contact our office on info@smws.com.au or 02 9974 3046.

Bottles & Bowls: Melbourne Xmas Party
2023-11-25 12:00 - 15:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Princes Park Carlton Bowls Club, 109 Bowen Crescent, Carlton North, Victoria, 3054, Australia
Sun’s out, DRAMS OUT!
Our last big event of the year is upon us! Join your National Ambassador Matt Bailey and State Ambassador Alex Moores for a day of relaxed drinks in the sun (we hope) at the Princes Park Carlton Bowls Club. Your ticket includes six Society drams of your choice, with tokens available so you can select from a diverse range of bottles we have released over the last year. A light lunch will also be provided.

There will also be a range of beers and wines available for direct purchase from the Bowls Club. There is no obligation to bowl, but it is a lot of fun, so those who intend to do so can kick off their shoes and form a friendly competition with other members. We have several lanes reserved exclusively for us, so there will be plenty of opportunities to show off your skills.

When? Saturday 25th of November 2023 — 12:00pm arrival and start.
Where? Princes Park Carlton Bowls Club, 109 Bowen Crescent, Carlton North VIC 3045.

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

Melbourne November Outturn Preview
2023-11-15 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Celebrate the release of our giant November Outturn with a preview tasting at Whisky & Alement!
November Outturn is on the horizon! Our absolute beast of a festive bumper issue that has over 40 casks to discover (plus so many other special goodies)! That’s a lot of casks to get through, so why not join us at Whisky & Alement before release day (Friday 17th) and sample some of Matt’s top picks? We’ll discover six new single-cask, cask-strength Society drams and learn about the spirit and distilleries in a classic tasting format.
Enjoy six distinctively different drams you won’t have tasted before across a range of flavour profiles alongside a welcome drink and charcuterie prepared by the W&A team.

When? Wednesday 15th of November 2023 — 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start.
Where? Upstairs at Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC 3000.

Members welcome to bring guests at member prices.

A Wondrous Masterclass
2023-11-15 18:00 - 20:30 (Australia/Perth) | Terrarium, 99 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Celebrate a wondrous masterclass exploring top-tier Society whisky in our huge November Outturn!
Who doesn’t love exploring new and incredible cask flavours? Join us at Perth Partner Bar Terrarium for an invigorating flavour-fuelled masterclass with five of the upcoming drams in our huge November Outturn bumper issue. Join National State Ambassador Matt Bailey and local State Ambassador Xander Stucken who will take you through the flavours of each dram as you enjoy shared grazing tables amongst good company in Terrarium’s private tasting space.
Each ticket includes a highball on arrival, shared grazing plates, and 5x SMWS drams. Celebrate the release of our much-beloved festive Outturn issue with a Partner Bar tasting amongst like-minded flavour enthusiasts.

When? Wednesday the 15th of November, 6:00pm arrival and start
Where? Terrarium — 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.

Whisky Abbey 2023
2023-11-11 11:00 - 2023-11-12 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford, Vic, 3067, Australia
Whisky Abbey returns for 2023 — and you can bet The SMWS will be there serving up some brilliant single-cask, cask-strength drams!

Casa De Vinos’ Whisky Abbey returns to the Abbotsford Convent for the third year with over 50 exhibitors and 700+ whiskies to choose from over two exciting days! The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will have a stand with a very generous selection of single-cask, cask-strength malts on pour, PLUS, Matt Bailey will be running an in-depth masterclass on wood innovation and the Society’s cask policy on the Saturday.
For those of you who are new to Whisky Abbey, a ticket will give you access to the festival, and a specially-branded tasting glass for you to keep — all whiskies are available to purchase by the 15ml pour at each stand at attractive prices. The beautiful Abbotsford Convent is also home to some lush lawns where you can enjoy your drams. There will also be food trucks on site serving up some delicious food to keep you going.

You can purchase your tickets directly from the Whisky Abbey website here — we’ll see you there!

A Gathering of Malts & Hops
2023-10-28 15:00 - 17:30 (Australia/Adelaide) | Spier & Wright, U1/151 King William Road, Unley, South Australia, 5061, Australia
*POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE*

Adelaide, are you ready to gather with a dram in one hand and beer in the other?

Your local State Ambassador Cody Banks has quite the afternoon planned! To celebrate Global Gathering and Boilermaker month, we’re teaming up with the passionate folk at Spier & Wright Whisky Merchants to deliver a boisterous and entertaining afternoon of fine drams, good beer, delicious food, and live music!
Cal Williams Jnr will be strumming away on the six-string to deliver fine blues throughout whilst members gather around a giant grazing table, with each member receiving five drams and the opportunity to pair each of those drams to the beers of their choosing. There’ll be plenty of unique, wacky, and fun beers to choose from, so guests are in for an exciting exploration of flavour. Delicious drams, tasty beers, plenty of charcuterie and soulful live music — a solid Society afternoon!

When? Saturday 28th of October 2023 — 3:00pm arrival and start.
Where? Spier & Wright Whisky Merchants, U1/151 King William Road, Unley, SA 5061.

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

SMWS Japan 30th Anniversary Tasting
2023-10-26 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Celebrating 30 Years of SMWS Japan Branch!

In 2022, the Australia branch celebrated 20 years of SMWS, and this year we’re celebrating 40 years globally, but in between all that, it’s also the 30th birthday of SMWS Japan this year! Founded in 1993, SMWS Japan’s 30th birthday is this year, so we’re hosting a very special one-off birthday celebration tasting. We’ve secured one bottle of each of the three birthday celebratory releases, and we’re sharing them around with you, along with some other surprises and goodies on the night.
These super rare releases were exclusive to SMWS Japan, so we’re very lucky to be the only other country on Earth to share these with members. On the night, we’ll start with a Society highball, then taste through the SMWS Japan exclusives, plus other special SMWS casks that complement the lineup, along with a traditional Japanese supper. Places for this event are strictly limited and are first in best dressed, this event is available for members only. Come celebrate SMWS Japan on Thursday 26 October, 7pm start.

When? Thursday 26th of October 2023 — 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start.
Where? Upstairs at Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC 3000.

Members welcome to bring guests at member rates. No non-member tickets will be available for this event.

The Return of the Hobart Gathering
2023-10-21 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Hobart) | New Sydney Hotel, 87 Bathurst St, Hobart, TAS, 7000, Australia
Hobart Gathering is back!
After an unforeseen postponement earlier this month, the Hobart Gathering will take place in late October at the beloved SMWS Partner Bar the New Sydney Hotel. Come down and join Tom Rofe for a splendid evening spent enjoying five distinct Gathering drams from around the world accompanied by a delicious and hearty three-course dinner prepared by the New Sydney Hotel kitchen. Not only do we have the Aussie-exclusive ‘Alex Moores’ cask on pour (cask 94.43), but also four other branches Gathering casks of which we’ve secured a small allocation.
These casks are only available at select Gathering tastings around the country and in our virtual tasting pack so don’t miss out on this very exclusive opportunity to taste them!

When? Saturday 21st of October 2023 — 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start.
Where? New Sydney Hotel, 87 Bathurst St, Hobart TAS 7000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member pricing, non-members are also welcome to attend.

The Ternary Dinner With The SMWS
2023-10-19 18:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Sydney) | The Ternary, 100 Murray St, Darling Harbour, NSW, 2000, Australia
The Ternary together with The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will host a luxury collaborative dining experience for one night only!
The SMWS has had a proud tradition of collaborating with expert chef and Ternary Culinary Director Anthony Flowers on paired degustation courses that highlight the incredible flavours of the kitchen and full-flavoured Society drams. We’re excited to announce that in 2023 we will once again be collaborating with The Ternary at Novotel in Darling Harbour for another flavour journey.
Begin an evening of indulgence and exploration with a Whisky cocktail created by The Ternary Bar team followed by a five-course degustation menu paired with delicious Society drams.

When? Thursday 19th of October 2023 — 6:00pm arrival and start.
Where? The Ternary at Novotel Darling Harbour, 100 Murray St, Darling Harbour, NSW 2000.

Please note that this event is ticketed by The Ternary, tickets are available to purchase here.

SMWS Vs. Heartwood
2023-10-10 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
An independent cask strength battle for the ages!
Tasmania’s leading independent bottler goes head-to-head in this epic face-off: come join whisky legends Tim Duckett & Matt Bailey butting heads, live, at Whisky & Alement for one night only.
Heartwood, founded by Tim Duckett in 1999, is Tasmania’s leading independent bottler who’s well known for his irreverent approach, bashing casks with a paddle, and borrowing some inspiration for naming whiskies from the SMWS — of which he’s been a member since day dot in Australia.
SMWS, the world’s leading whisky club, is celebrating 40 years this year, so you know we’ll be bringing some heavy hitters to the lineup to battle against Heartwood. Expect to see Tim & Matt battle it out with plenty of banter added into the mix. The casks selected by both Heartwood & SMWS for this event are a mixture of historical releases, special releases, and new goodies coming through the pipeline.
Don’t miss this rare one-off evening hosted by the SMWS at Melbourne’s leading whisky bar, Whisky & Alement. Light supper/charcuterie is included.

When? Tuesday 10th of October 2023 — 6:30pm arrival for a sharp 7:00pm start.
Where? Upstairs at Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC 3000.

Members welcome to bring guests at member prices.

Tickets are on sale now!

The Gathering: Melbourne
2023-09-28 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | The Kelvin Club, 14-30 Melbourne Pl, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
THE GATHERING IS BACK THIS SEPTEMBER!
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After a huge outing in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, we’re super excited to bring back The Gathering for 2023 with special Gathering casks, incredible experiences, and moments we get to share together around a great dram and company. Join us on this Gathering for 2023 and see how far down the flavour rabbit hole we go!

The Gathering is a celebration of what makes The Scotch Malt Whisky Society unique. This festival is for all our members, no matter where they are in the world. Along with access to limited-edition single cask whisky, they can take part in events in person at SMWS Members’ Rooms, Partner Bars, venues and online.​​
The origins of The Gathering date back to September 2013 when we celebrated our 30th anniversary with a party. Now 10 years on, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we’re inviting our members around the world to come together for our BIGGEST party yet.
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Join National Director Matt Bailey for the official tasting of the full Global Gathering set of casks, including Alex’s own Gathering cask that he selected for members exclusive to Australia. A full night of 6x drams, dinner, entertainment, and good times with great company. Come one, come all: Thursday 28 September 2023, The Kelvin Club.

When? Thursday the 28th of September, 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start.
Where? The Kelvin Club, 14-30 Melbourne Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Illuminating the Flavours of Scotch with Cocktails by Whisky & Alement
2023-09-21 19:00 - 21:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
Come down to Melbourne Partner Bar Whisky & Alement for an exciting journey through the flavours of single malt Scotch whisky!
This event will include a taste of four exclusive SMWS whiskies paired with four original cocktails by award-winning Whisky & Alement Bar Manager Lachlan Watt, each cocktail inspired by the flavours of the whiskies.
We’ll explore the character of each whisky and learn how to identify and describe complex flavours in this unique sensory experience. Included in your ticket price are four cocktail samples and four whisky samples based around SMWS flavour notes, plus edible sensory items to help you decode each whisky’s secrets.
These are some of the best whiskies in the world that you won’t find at other bars, paired with unique modern cocktails from one of the city’s best bartenders.

Time and date: Thursday, September 21st, at 7:00pm.
Location: Whisky & Alement — 270 Russell Street, Melbourne.

Please note that this event is hosted by Whisky & Alement, tickets can be purchased from their Eventbrite page here.

Let's Gather: Virtual Tasting
2023-09-20 19:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Virtual Event
Virtual tastings at the SMWS are a great way to experience amazing whisky samples at home, and what better month to really jump into these Deluxe packs than the Gathering?
Join us live on Wednesday 20 September, 7pm AEST, or watch at your own leisure, for a full tasting of five-continent selections from other branches and our local hero bottling celebrating the Gathering.

Packs are just $99 each and are available Friday 1 September along with Outturn!

The Gathering: Launceston
2023-09-16 18:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Hobart) | Geronimo Aperitivo Bar & Restaurant, 186 Charles St, Launceston, TAS, 7250, Australia
THE GATHERING IS BACK THIS SEPTEMBER!
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After a huge outing in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, we’re super excited to bring back The Gathering for 2023 with special Gathering casks, incredible experiences, and moments we get to share together around a great dram and company. Join us on this Gathering for 2023 and see how far down the flavour rabbit hole we go!

The Gathering is a celebration of what makes The Scotch Malt Whisky Society unique. This festival is for all our members, no matter where they are in the world. Along with access to limited-edition single cask whisky, they can take part in events in person at SMWS Members’ Rooms, Partner Bars, venues and online.​​
The origins of The Gathering date back to September 2013 when we celebrated our 30th anniversary with a party. Now 10 years on, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we’re inviting our members around the world to come together for our BIGGEST party yet.
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Launceston your time has come — LET’S GATHER! Tassie Ambassador Tom Rofe will be hosting a delicious and intimate dinner at Geronimo Aperitivo Bar & Restaurant this September to celebrate Global Gathering. 5x SMWS Gathering casks will be enjoyed alongside a two-course dinner with share plates that will warm the heart and ignite your senses! This year is extra special as we’ve secured Gathering bottles from several other branches — making this one of our most exciting Gathering years to date (not to mention the Australian exclusive Gathering cask selected by our very own Alex Moores). Let’s GATHER and share the spirit of the world’s leading whisky club.
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When? Saturday 16th of September 2023 — 6:00pm arrival for a 6:30pm start.
Where? Geronimo Aperitivo Bar & Restaurant, 186 Charles St, Launceston TAS 7250.

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

THE GATHERING: Guess The Whisky Sydney!
2023-09-15 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Royal Automobile Club, 89 Macquarie Street, SYDNEY, NSW, 2000, Australia
THE GATHERING IS BACK THIS SEPTEMBER!
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After a huge outing in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, we’re super excited to bring back The Gathering for 2023 with special Gathering casks, incredible experiences, and moments we get to share together around a great dram and company. Join us on this Gathering for 2023 and see how far down the flavour rabbit hole we go!

The Gathering is a celebration of what makes The Scotch Malt Whisky Society unique. This festival is for all our members, no matter where they are in the world. Along with access to limited-edition single cask whisky, they can take part in events in person at SMWS Members’ Rooms, Partner Bars, venues and online.​​
The origins of The Gathering date back to September 2013 when we celebrated our 30th anniversary with a party. Now 10 years on, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we’re inviting our members around the world to come together for our BIGGEST party yet.
—
The Gathering returns to Sydney this September, but it’s not just the Gathering that’s returning. After an absence of five years, an old favourite returns: Guess the Whisky!
Guess the Whisky was a regular Society event on the Sydney calendar, held every year or two from 2007 to 2018. So how does it work and what’s on offer? We’ll be presenting and showcasing six of our Gathering whiskies, but we’ll serve them blind without revealing their order or the cask in question. As the whiskies are presented, each table forms a team and — with the benefit of multiple choice, answer sheets, and our tasting notes to help you — your team attempts to guess each whisky’s key features and characteristics. For example, you’ll nominate its age and its ABV (both within ranges — don’t worry, we’re not that precise!), its region, and — for bonus points — the actual cask.
Each whisky is a new round, and we’ll unveil whiskies and scores as we go until we reach the end of the night and the winning table (with the highest aggregate score) takes home the prizes and the glory. It’s surprisingly easy, it’s fun, it’s informal, and —best of all — you’ll enjoy some incredible whiskies along the way. And, for those new to the Society or new to the world of whisky, we’ll cover off a few of the basics — so come along and feel free to bring a friend or two — members are welcome to bring friends at member prices.
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What’s included?

6x Gathering SMWS whiskies being showcased for the first time
Light supper & welcome dram
An amazing night of entertainment and great conviviality

When? Friday the 15th of September, 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start.
Where? ISC Room at the RACA, 89 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000.

Members welcome to bring friends/guests at member prices.

The Gathering: Melbourne — Beat the Panel
2023-09-14 18:30 - 21:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
The Gathering is BACK! And Alex Moores has something special in store for Melbourne members.

Ahead of our large-format Global Gathering tasting at the Kelvin Club (Thursday, September 28), VIC State Ambassador Alex Moores will be hosting an intimate Gathering tasting upstairs at Whisky & Alement on the 14th. This cosy and special tasting will give guests the opportunity to ‘challenge the panel’ and see if they can pick flavours and aromas in a blind tasting, format — much similar to what Alex himself experienced when he selected the 2023 Aussie Gathering cask.
This is a small-format blind tasting experience — each ticket includes 6x SMWS drams (including the Aus Gathering cask), charcuterie, and a welcome drink.

When? Thursday 14th of September 2023 — 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start.
Where? Upstairs at Whisky & Alement, 270 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC 3000.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member pricing. Non-members are also welcome to attend.
Please note that these events sell out rather quickly, you do not want to sleep on this.

Tickets are on sale NOW!

The Gathering: CANBERRA
2023-09-13 18:30 - 20:30 (Australia/Sydney) | Royal Canberra Golf Club, 71 Bentham St, Yarralumla, ACT, 2600, Australia
THE GATHERING IS BACK THIS SEPTEMBER!
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After a huge outing in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, we’re super excited to bring back The Gathering for 2023 with special Gathering casks, incredible experiences, and moments we get to share together around a great dram and company. Join us on this Gathering for 2023 and see how far down the flavour rabbit hole we go!

The Gathering is a celebration of what makes The Scotch Malt Whisky Society unique. This festival is for all our members, no matter where they are in the world. Along with access to limited-edition single cask whisky, they can take part in events in person at SMWS Members’ Rooms, Partner Bars, venues and online.​​
The origins of The Gathering date back to September 2013 when we celebrated our 30th anniversary with a party. Now 10 years on, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we’re inviting our members around the world to come together for our BIGGEST party yet.
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The Gathering Canberra: A time for whisky lovers to get together for Rolling Greens and Rollicking Good Times! Against the splendid backdrop of the Royal Canberra Golf Club, we will enjoy a very laid back, convivial gathering with whisky and canapés, celebrating all that is good about the Canberra whisky community. Come along to savour the atmosphere and classy company, with carefully selected six society drams celebrating our Anniversary Gathering! Bring guests, sense of humour, cameras and book early, for a classy evening out.
Dress Code applies to the golf club: Smart Casual or Business. No denim, jeans, shorts, or cargo pants.
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When? Wednesday the 13th of September, 6:00pm arrival for a 6:30pm start.
Where? Royal Canberra Golf Club, 71 Bentham St, Yarralumla ACT 2600.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member pricing, non-members are also welcome to attend.

The Grand Tour of Speyside: Perth
2023-09-08 18:00 - 21:30 (Australia/Perth) | Terrarium, 99 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
The Grand Tour of Speyside continues around Australia, next stop — Perth!
Join Keeper of The Quaich and NSW Ambassador 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 a light supper, whisky, entertainment, education, giveaways, and a presentation like no other.
A classic evening at the iconic Perth Partner Bar, Terrarium, with our NSW State Ambassador at large, Andrew Derbidge.

When? Friday the 8th of September, 6:00pm arrival for a 6:30pm start
Where? Terrarium — 99 St Georges Terrace (Howards St Entrance), Perth WA 6000.

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

THE GATHERING: Bellarine Distillery Partner Bar
2023-09-01 18:00 - 20:30 (Australia/Sydney) | bellarine distillery, 2 Scotchmans Rd, Drysdale, VIC, 3222, Australia
THE GATHERING IS BACK THIS SEPTEMBER!
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After a huge outing in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, we’re super excited to bring back The Gathering for 2023 with special Gathering casks, incredible experiences, and moments we get to share together around a great dram and company. Join us on this Gathering for 2023 and see how far down the flavour rabbit hole we go!

The Gathering is a celebration of what makes The Scotch Malt Whisky Society unique. This festival is for all our members, no matter where they are in the world. Along with access to limited-edition single cask whisky, they can take part in events in person at SMWS Members’ Rooms, Partner Bars, venues and online.​​
The origins of The Gathering date back to September 2013 when we celebrated our 30th anniversary with a party. Now 10 years on, as we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we’re inviting our members around the world to come together for our BIGGEST party yet.
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The Whiskery at Bellarine Distillery proudly joined The SMWS as a Partner Bar in 2023 and are super keen to launch the Gathering offerings for a limited number of guests this September.

When? Friday the 1st of September, 6:00pm.
Where? The Whiskery at Bellarine Distillery, 2 Scotchmans Rd, Drysdale VIC 3222

Please note that tickets for this event are being sold through Bellarine Distillery:

Purchase tickets

The Chairman's Grand Tour of Speyside: Adelaide
2023-08-25 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Adelaide) | Hotel Richmond, 128 Rundle Mall, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
The Grand Tour of Speyside continues around Australia, next stop — Adelaide!
Join Keeper of The Quaich and NSW Ambassador 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 a light supper, whisky, entertainment, education, giveaways, and a presentation like no other.
A classic evening at the gorgeous Hotel Richmond with our NSW State Ambassador at large, Andrew Derbidge.

When? Friday the 25th of August, 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start
Where? Hotel Richmond, 128 Rundle Mall, Adelaide SA 5000

Members are welcome to bring guests at member pricing, non-members are also welcome to attend.

BASIK LIVE: Chocolate & Whisky Perfect Pairings in Melbourne
2023-08-19 14:00 - 16:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn, Victoria, 3122, Australia
The mad chocolatier from the north returns this August to tantalise your senses and challenge your flavour conventions!

Some of you know Krsna Raj from BASIK, but for those who have joined recently, BASIK Chocolates is the final frontier in chocolate flavour exploration. For the past three years we’ve teamed up with Krsna, who hand-makes chocolate bon bons exclusively to match the flavours of specific casks we send over. This year, Krsna has outdone himself by incorporating his flavours into a new chocolate “snack bar” format for the upcoming SMWS tasting.
Krsna will return to Melbourne alongside your local State Ambassador Alex Moores to host the Perfect Pairings tasting at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. Five unique Society single-cask drams (three whiskies, an Armagnac, and a Cognac) paired with five handmade chocolate “snack bars” from Krsna himself; this is it, the ultimate chocolate and whisky pairing — the perfect pairings. Each ticket includes the five drams and five chocolate snack bars, as well as canapés on arrival with a welcome dram — all enjoyed in the beautiful surrounds of the Hawthorn Arts Centre.

When? Saturday the 19th of August, 2:00pm start.
Where? Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122.

Members are welcome to bring guests at member pricing, non-members are also welcome to attend.

We have members join The Society explicitly for the unparalleled chocolate and whisky pairing collaboration we do with Krsna of BASIK each year — this is an experience you do not want to miss!

Please note that whilst dietary requirements will be taken into account for the lunch meal, no substitutes can be made for the chocolate pairings.

Maverick Launch Party — Melbourne
2023-08-04 18:30 - 21:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | No Vacancy, 34-40 Jane Bell Ln, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
MAVERICK, YOU ARE CLEARED FOR LAUNCH!
2023 marks the 40th anniversary of our beloved club, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society — 40 years of doing things differently, sharing the unparalleled flavours of single-cask, cask-strength whisky with folks from all over the world. We have lots of exciting releases and experiences planned around our 40th-anniversary, but next month in Melbourne we’re going to be launching the Maverick bottling — our 12-year-old single malt ‘Heresy’ cask that was bottled to celebrate our 40th anniversary.
Join us on Friday, the 4th of August, at No Vacancy Café and Gallery for an evening of charcuterie and Maverick malt as we launch this historic bottling. Each guest will receive a 30ml dram of the Maverick malt, as well as 2x of a specially crafted cocktail prepared by Whisky & Alement Bar Manager Lachlan Watt featuring the Maverick malt. We will also have a cash bar available with select Society casks on pour for $10 a dram.
Additionally, every ticket will include a $30 voucher to use towards the purchase of the Maverick bottling when it is released in August Outturn.

When? Friday the 4th of August, 6:30pm start.
Where? No Vacancy Gallery, 34-40 Jane Bell Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000.

Please note this is a cocktail-style evening, there will be limited seating available.

Tickets are on sale now!

The Chairman's Grand Tour of Speyside: Wollongong
2023-08-04 18:30 - 20:30 (Australia/Sydney) | The Fraternity Club, 11 Bourke St, Fairy Meadow, NSW, 2519, Australia
The Grand Tour of Speyside continues around Australia — and Wollongong is next!
Join Keeper of The Quaich and NSW Ambassador 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 five diverse whiskies from five very unique Speyside distilleries encompassing different flavour profiles, cask types, and age statements.
On the night we’ll enjoy a light supper, whisky, entertainment, education, giveaways, and a presentation like no other.
A classic evening in the lovely surrounds of the Fraternity Club’s private bistro with our NSW State Ambassador at large, Andrew Derbidge.

When? Friday the 4th of August, 6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm start
Where? Fraternity Club (Private Function Room — Bistro), 11 Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow NSW 2519

Members are welcome to bring guests at member pricing, non-members are also welcome to attend.

Fire & Smoke — A Journey Through Islay
2023-07-28 19:00 - 21:00 (Australia/Adelaide) | Shobosho, 17 Leigh St, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
Indulge in an unforgettable sensory experience as The Scotch Malt Whisky Society takes you on an extraordinary journey to the mystical shores of Islay.
Join us for an exclusive event that marries the smoky allure of Islay whiskies with the tantalising flavours of Yakitori from the renowned Shobosho restaurant. Prepare to be mesmerised and immersed as an expert private chef skillfully fans charcoal grilled skewers, infusing them with flavours that perfectly complement the bold profiles of Islay whiskies.
Let the deep, rich flavours transport you to windswept beaches and rugged landscapes, where the sea spray mingles with bonfire smoke, and the essence of the island is captured in every sip. From tender chicken thigh to melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu beef, each bite will create an exquisite symphony of taste, harmonising with the complex nuances of the whiskies.
Each ticket includes a spot at the private Yakitori bar Shobosho with a private chef, 5x SMWS Islay drams expertly paired with complementing yakitori pieces, and a welcome drink.
Join us at this extraordinary event where Islay’s diversity of peat will be showcased alongside the culinary artistry of Shobosho, igniting your senses and taking you on an unforgettable journey of flavour. Secure your place now, and be part of an evening that promises to be an unforgettable fusion of fire & smoke.

When? Friday the 28th of July, 7pm arrival and start
Where? Shobosho — 17 Leigh St, Adelaide 5000

Please note that tickets to this experience are limited to just 9 seats, so be sure to book in quick to avoid missing out!
Unfortunately, due to the nature of the event dietary requirements cannot be accommodated. Please note the restaurant does not have any wheelchair access.
