What is the Society all about?
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society bottles only the most unique and full-flavoured single cask, cask strength whiskies and other spirits, exclusively for our members. We don’t list the distillery name on the bottles instead opting for a coding and cask name approach, meaning you get to focus more on the flavour of what’s inside, rather than the brand of that distillery. It also means we’re able to source the very best single casks for bottling from distilleries from around the world. Every cask is unique, thus every bottling is unique and goes through the rigorous Tasting Panel to be approved for bottling. Only the best pass, and that’s how we’re able to offer that to members.
The Society is however about community. Our broader whisky community around Australia and indeed around the world where your membership will open doors, book rooms, share in incredible experiences in-person and online, read about the whisky journey, and take it by the horns.
When and what is Outturn?
Outturn is our monthly release of single casks for members. Every month we send out via email a list and description of all the tasty single cask whiskies, just for members to buy. There’s no minimum purchase obligation, so you use your membership as you want to. Outturn is released on the first Friday of each month, every month of the year, except for our bumper Festive Edition which is usually around mid-November each year. You can see all the current and previous Outturns here.
Is there a minimum commitment to order?
No! It’s your membership, your way. There’s no minimum commitment on bottles or events purchased in the year.
How do I log in to the website?
Click on Log In in the top banner menu. This will take you to the Log In page. Key in your User Name and Password.
Help, I have forgotten my password.
On the log in page, click on “Lost your password?” Then enter your User Name and click Reset Password. You will then receive an email at your nominated email address enabling you to reset your password.
If your membership was a gift, someone else may have given you a password, so just give us call if you would like it reset – 02 9974 3046.
How much is shipping?
There’s no such thing as free shipping, so to help cover this we offer a $15 flat-rate shipping fee on all orders delivered in Australia. That’s $15 regardless of where you live, and regardless of how many bottles / glasses / tasting packs are in your order!
How does the membership rebate work?
As a member of the SMWS in Australia, if you spend $1,000 or more in your membership year after joining, we send you a $120 store credit reward AFTER your membership renews for the following year. From event tickets to bottlings to glassware: it all contributes to your $1,000 spend. Please be patient as this process is quite a manual one and it may take a week or two for your voucher to appear in your ‘My Membership’ area once logged in. This store credit reward can be redeemed against any product or ticket sold by the SMWS, at anytime. This store credit is valid for 12 months after issue. Please note: new member joining spend and membership renewal fees are not included in the $1000 spend calculation.
Can I order bottles if I’m not a member?
No. Every bottle is a unique single cask whisky that is made available only to our members. Being single cask, availability of each cask is almost always extremely limited and one of the perks of membership is access to these incredibly tasty casks. Another great reason to join!
What else do I get if I join the SMWS?
It’s a global membership that gains you access to the world’s most unique single cask whiskies and other spirits, while connecting you to a community locally of like-minded flavour-lovers who experience our events, our bottlings, the discounts and range at our Partner Bars, associated business discounts, Unfiltered Magazine, monthly Outturn, and more. Read more and sign up from here.
What are your events all about?
Quite simply, our whisky and spirit events are the window into the soul of the community that is the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. We host events every month around Australia in a multitude of experiences, from lightweight introductions to whisky, to full whisky-paired dinner degustation menus, to tours of Scotland. The Society in Australia has been pioneering whisky experiences and uncovering the flavour of great single cask unique bottlings for more than 16 years now. Check out what’s coming up here and see what it’s all about.
Can I have my order delivered to another address?
Yes, for example your work or a friend’s address, as long as it’s an address within Australia. When you place your order, you will have the chance to provide a Shipping name and address different to your billing address.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Once you place your order, we aim to dispatch the following business day from our Sydney warehouse. During peak periods (monthly Outturn releases, Christmas period) this may take an extra day. Goods are dispatched with Australia Post who advise the following delivery timeframes: Within NSW: Metro up to 2 business days. Country up to 5 business days. Interstate: up to 3 to 6 business days for metro areas. If your order is urgent, please let us know when placing the order, and we can organise Express Post delivery or a courier for an additional fee. We will do our very best to get your parcel to you in time.
What happens if I am not there when delivery is made, does the parcel need to be signed for?
Yes, your order will need to be signed for, so if no-one is at the delivery address to sign for it, an attempted delivery calling card will be left by Australia Post at your delivery address. The parcel will be taken to your local Post Office, where it can be collected.
Do you offer a courier service for super urgent deliveries?
Yes, this is possible by special arrangement. Please contact our office if you require urgent delivery and we shall organise it for you. There will be an additional shipping and handling fee, and the price will depend on delivery address.
Does the Society in Australia have a retail shop or Member Rooms?
While we don’t have a physical retail shop, we do have great affiliations with several Partner Bars across the country who are passionate about all things whisky, and stock Society bottlings in their bar. Members receive special privileges at each Partner Bar, you just need to remember to take your membership card with you as proof of membership. Check out our Partner Bar page of the website for more information. We do not have any ‘retail’ outlets in-person, as our whiskies are only available to members direct through the club.
Can I send a bottle abroad?
Unfortunately the Society does not have a license to deliver bottles overseas. Of course we are happy to deliver to an Australian address, where someone can arrange to forward the parcel on.
I have not received my tickets for an Event
That’s because we don’t issue them! Just arrive at the venue with your booking receipt and we will have your name on an attendance list at the door.
Just make sure you received your confirmation email after purchasing your tickets via our online booking form.
I am a Member of another Society branch overseas, do I have the same Member privileges in Australia as Australian Members?
Absolutely! Your Society membership is an international passport to branches all around the world, with global benefits. You will not be able to Log In to the Australian website as an overseas Member, but please call or email our office to organise any purchases/event bookings and we shall be more than happy to help. If you think you are here to stay, or for a prolonged time, we can organise for your membership to be transferred to the Australian branch and provide you with an Australian membership card and website Log In.
I have a special request with my order / combine shipping
That’s fine. There is a box at checkout for special order notes. Please leave any notes in there for our team to process.