The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

[GBrough]

Any members here, is it worth while to join.
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The Laga 16.

It even tastes like an ashtray-WM

[bifter]

I'm an ex-member. I left because it was simply too much of a luxury on my income but, if you're going to be buying expensive bottles regularly, it can represent great value. The biggest benefit of SMWS is if you can regularly avail yourself of the venues, particularly at the time of the monthly outturns. That way you get to try before you buy and can bag some simply stunning and very exclusive whisky. You need to be quick sometimes though!

One big downside of SMWS for me was their insistence upon promoting badly sulphured whisky as a virtue, you just have to learn the warning words in the descriptions to avoid them (if, that is, you are sulphur intolerant). Another thing to think about carefully is if you actually prefer 'expressions' (i.e. blended from multiple casks) or single cask whiskies, which generally are not as rounded or balanced. That may sound like a silly thing to say to a whisky lover but if you're having to justify membership by buying lots of single cask whiskies it can leave your cabinet a little imbalanced if you can't also stretch to some nice OBs or even other spirits.
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"Whisky is liquid sunshine."
[George Bernard Shaw]

[sorren]

I have looked at this many times, my opinion is the £120 joining fee is better spent on whisky, I understand there are is some great whisky on offer, but as said if you live out in the sticks like me and have no chance of going to the venues then its an expensive luxury, I am sure if you buy plenty then it eases the pain

[GBrough]

[albo]

I'm a member, is it worth it? Simply put, if you can't get to the venues then no. If you can, and you've an interest in single cask whisky and you have some disposable income, then sure it is.

They do some fabulous whisky, I mean really really good, but they also do some bad whisky and in the case of sherried whisky some sulphur ridden messes. They also do a lot of average whisky. Ask these bottles carry a premium, which in the case of average and especially bad whisky, does not represent good value on the bottle, let alone the membership subs on top, however, the really good stuff is well worth it. The only was to know and the really big advantage is being able to try at the bar before you buy (not cheap either, a dram at the bar is typically 10% of the price of a bottle). Not being able to try before you buy, you might as well pick up any other indi bottle and not have to pay the membership.

[Blackadder]

It wasnt worth me joining as i am no where near a venue but a few years ago i shared the cost of a membership for a year with a whisky drinking friend and i did enjoy the year as others said above the quality of the whisky varies. Had i been able to try before i bought then i would have been tempted to extend my membership, but to me it is expensive if you cant try before you buy and there is plenty of good whisky you can buy without needing membership.

[sorren]

It's a hard one, I'm not sure about all the try before you buy, most bottles are bought blind, are they not ? Not many places offer samples if all bottles sold, I know it could be an advantage.. The use of the venues is a big bonus, but looking at the site there seems to be a price increase in every way, the Whisky looks to be more expensive and as the membership has gone up then it it harder to justify joining now, I like the idea of a joint venture with a friend, at least between you you might get a better deal,
( anyone near hull/ Doncaster interested ) lol

[MJ75]

No. If you're a savvy shopper it's a waste of money.

[albo]