We love scotch, and if you or someone you know is of a similar mindset, then an annual membership to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society ($200) is about as good as it gets.
While there are plenty of organizations out there banded together to share a love of this particular saucé, the SMWS hand-selects limited edition offerings from 120 different distilleries, then bottles it themselves — typically in quantities no larger than 100 bottles. This ensures any selected scotches are exclusive to the club. All offerings must meet a minimum aging of 8 years, with some a substantial 29 years. Another wrinkle to SMWS’ detail-oriented methodology is the origin of each bottle is kept secret by only using numbers to demarcate each bottle. The process safeguards members from being biased by brands or history. Bottles start at $85 and escalate from there.
But what does membership get you? Well, the first year’s membership costs $230. The kit includes a notebook, member’s handbook, society pin, and 4×10 cl bottles of quality, cask-strength single malt scotch. Exclusive invites to society events, a subscription to the society’s Unfiltered Magazine and their distillery guide, which provides all of the society’s distillery numbers, are also included. Annual renewals are $60 and reduced by $5 for each society scotch bottle purchased.
Buy Now: $200 (new membership)