The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) stands as a beacon for whisky enthusiasts worldwide, championing single malt whisky in its most authentic form. Since its founding in 1983, SMWS has redefined how whisky is sourced, tasted, and appreciated, offering members exclusive access to rare single-cask, cask-strength bottlings from over 140 distilleries across Scotland and beyond. Through its unconventional approach – staying away from chill filtration added coloring, and even distillery names – the Society has cultivated a loyal following of over 40,000 members who relish whisky unadorned, unfiltered, and unrestrained.
This article delves into the enduring legacy of the SMWS, exploring its trailblazing journey from a modest syndicate of whisky aficionados to a global institution revered for its collectible bottlings and inventive cask coding system. We’ll uncover the story behind its first cask purchase, examine the rise of its iconic .1 releases in the collector’s market, and celebrate its vibrant community of members, tasting panels, and partner bars across 21 countries. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, the SMWS offers a unique lens through which to appreciate whisky in its purest, most unorthodox form.
The SMWS: From First Cask Investment To Whisky Society
The origins of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) began in 1978 when accountant and avid whisky enthusiast Philip ‘Pip’ Hills persuaded a group of friends to share the purchase of a cask from Glenfarclas Distillery. Over time the friends group including, Hills, actor Russel Hunter, contractor David Alison, writer W. Gordon Smith, and architect Ben Tindall, expanded through word of mouth to become a syndicate, and more casks were purchased, bottled, and distributed amongst the members. The growing enthusiasm amongst syndicate members and the quality of the whisky convinced Hills to found the SMWS in 1983, opening the membership to the wider public.
As membership opened to the public, the SMWS purchased its first venue to establish an exclusive member’s bar and society rooms. Situated in Edinburgh’s Leith district, ‘The Vaults’, named after the building’s vast vaulted cellars which date back to the 13th century, was taken over from independent bottler J.G. Thompson & Co. following their relocation to Glasgow, going on to become the SMWS’ spiritual home. In August 1983, the first official SMWS bottling was released to members; Cask 1.1 was an 8 Year Old whisky bottled from a Glenfarclas 1975 ex-sherry cask. Monthly SMWS bottlings were released thereafter, increasing as the society started to grow in size.
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The SMWS – ‘Unconventional Whisky Experts’
Self-described as ‘unconventional whisky experts’, the SMWS aims to ‘seek out whisky in its purest form, prize flavor above everything else and give each bottle a curious name’ – examples have included ‘Tea-Smoked Salmon’ and ‘Vintage Belgium Beer’. At a time when the mainstream industry deemed cask strength spirits too challenging for drinkers’ palates, the SMWS became one of the first independent bottlers to bottle whisky at natural cask strength and without chill filtration to offer whisky in its purest form. The SMWS Tasting Panel, which includes experts from the distilling industry, meets weekly to select casks for purchase and bottling hand-picking a diverse range of malts from 140 distilleries across Scotland and abroad.
One of the most famous features of SMWS bottlings is the unique label codes. When the SMWS was established in 1983, brand protection for distilleries was a common practice preventing trademark brands from being associated with independent bottlings. Created to protect the brands of the distilleries that supplied the SMWS’ casks, a distinctive two-number coding system was devised. The first number represents the distillery of origin, for example, 1 = Glenfarclas. The second number represents the release from a particular distillery, for example, 1.3 = refers to the third Glenfarclas bottling.
The SMWS’ unique bottle coding system has undoubtedly contributed to the bottlings’ popularity across the whisky industry and their importance and collectability on the secondary market. As the SMWS 61.1 bottling (SMWS’ first Brora cask release) sold for over £6000 in June 2019, whisky collectors and investors have become increasingly aware of SMWS’ first distillery cask ‘.1’ bottlings and their desirability throughout the market. Many of the SMWS’ early bottlings were bottled from casks of now iconic, silent, or lost distilleries ensuring these whiskies are quickly becoming some of the most sought-after and collectible on the whisky and auction market.
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The SMWS coding system has also expanded as membership has increased and the society diversified into bottling different spirit categories. Prefix letters were introduced to classify bottlings from different spirit categories, G = grain whisky, B = bourbon, C = cognac, etc. For example, G6.1 = refers to the first bottling from the Port Dundas grain whisky distillery. The single malt coding category has also evolved allowing one distillery to use multiple codes, representing either a distinctly different style of whisky or a different production process. For instance, the Springbank distillery uses code 27, but their heavily peated Longrow expression is distinguished using code 114.
A Global Society
From 1983, Philip Hills acted as director of the SMWS, continuing until his resignation in 1995, after which the society continued as a private company. In 1996, the SMWS offered its members a private share scheme, investing the proceeds to acquire a second venue located at 19 Greville Street in London. A third venue followed in 2004 when the SMWS created Edinburgh’s second set of members’ rooms at 28 Queen Street. Also in 2004, the SMWS was taken over following the acquisition by Glenmorangie PLC.
In celebration of the SMWS’ 25th anniversary in 2008, the society updated its bottlings, changing the bottle shape and redesigning labels to include more information and extensive tasting notes. A second update occurred in 2017, as the SMWS further redesigned its bottle labels to better highlight whisky styles and bottlings from different regions. The SMWS created a pop-up venue in Battersea, London in Autumn 2018 to celebrate the society’s 35th anniversary – the venue remained open until July 2019.
Glenmorangie PLC sold the SMWS to a consortium of private investors, including the HotHouse Club and a group of financial investment managers in 2015. From the society’s establishment in 1983, the SMWS has grown to more than 40,000 members worldwide, and apart from the UK, there is a network of international branches and partner bars in 21 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Japan, and the USA.
Each international branch releases regular batches of whisky bottlings throughout the year, and hosts tasting events for SMWS members. The SMWS has established a series of partner bars exclusively selected to serve society whiskies, providing SMWS members and whisky lovers alike the opportunity to sample an extensive range of single cask bottlings.
The SMWS opened its fourth UK venue and members rooms in January 2020, located at 38 Bath Street, Glasgow. In June 2021, the society’s private owners floated the SMWS holding company The Artisanal Spirits Company PLC on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.
SMWS Today
The SMWS now bottles around 500 casks a year, diversifying its spirit range to also include single grain, world whiskies, rum, gin, cognac, and other spirits. As a result, the SMWS is regarded as one of the most illustrious independent whisky bottlers in the world, ensuring the society’s first ‘.1’ releases and well-aged bottlings identified from renowned distilleries are amongst the most sought-after and collectible whiskies for investors and collectors.
In 2023, the society celebrated its 40th anniversary. It is incredible to think that a small group of friends who appreciated single cask scotch whisky led to the creation of one of the world’s foremost whisky societies.
You can join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society here.
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