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Have you ever
fancied being a World Record Holder,
then now's your chance as The Scotch
Malt Whisky Society has unveiled plans
to attempt a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
for hosting the largest online whisky
tasting event.
In honour of its
40th anniversary and as it approaches
the remarkable milestone of 40,000
global members, The Scotch Malt Whisky
Society (SMWS) has unveiled plans to
undertake a venture that seeks to
establish a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD
for hosting the largest online whisky
tasting event.
On the 30th of September 2023, a
gathering of up to 1,250 members from
the expansive whisky club spanning the
UK, USA, Japan, China, and Australia
will convene virtually to partake in a
three-drink tasting experience lasting
approximately 45 minutes.
This historic endeavour is set amidst
'The Gathering', a flagship event within
the Society's year-long series of
activities commemorating its 40th
anniversary, designed for its
ever-growing global community of
enthusiasts.
Conceived in Edinburgh in 1983 by the
visionary Pip Hills, SMWS commenced as a
small assembly of kindred spirits who
shared an unwavering ardour for single
cask whisky. Presently under the
ownership of the Artisanal Spirits
Company, with the venerable Hills, now
82, at the core of the 40th-year
jubilations, the Society has matured
into the world's largest whisky club,
boasting an impressive membership of
nearly 38,000 aficionados scattered
across over 20 nations.
The pioneering virtual whisky tasting
extravaganza will unfold at 2pm across
the world, emanating from The Vaults
nestled in Leith, Edinburgh—a place
steeped in the legacy of SMWS. The
opening dram will be expertly guided by
SMWS Master Ambassador John McCheyne,
the second by Tom Smith, Senior Director
of SMWS USA, and the final by Matt
Bailey, Director of SMWS Australia.
In collaboration with the video
production specialists at GLO, the
Society has organized a Zoom broadcast
to livestream the tasting event. During
this ambitious record-setting endeavour,
participants will savour three
Society-selected drams.
The line-up comprises The SMWS Cask No.
55.78, aptly named "What a Spread!",
which they describe as a 13 year old
opulent and sweet bottling hailing from
a distillery in Speyside (Spoiler -
Royal Brackla). Its tasting notes dance
with nuances of "spiced toffee, creme
brulee, and a hint of fresh oak."
Alongside it stands The SMWS Cask No.
39.244 "Tutti Frutti in a Wooden Bowl,"
an 11 year old (Spoiler - Linkwood)
whisky that embodies the Juicy Oak &
Vanilla flavour profile that SMWS is
renowned for. Completing the trio is
Batch 15 "Smokus Fruticosus," an artful
blend composed of malt whiskies sourced
from the revered islands of Islay &
Orkney.
Commenting on the record-breaking
attempt, Madeleine Schmoll, event host
and Social Media and Community Manager
at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society UK
said, "The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
has come a long way since Pip Hills and
his friends started exploring the
amazing array of flavours in single cask
whisky in Edinburgh in the early 1980s.
"Now, 40 years later, the Society has
almost 40,000 members around the world,
including around 18,000 here in the UK,
so what better way to celebrate that by
bringing so many of our members together
to go for this world record.
"We’re delighted to be playing our part
in this world record attempt – we’ll
certainly have fun trying to do it!"
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society members
can sign up now to take part in the
event, which will be streamed live, on
the 30th of September 2023, from the
Society’s spiritual home, The Vaults in
Edinburgh. If you are not already a
member you can join The SMWS here
www.smws.com
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