WHISKY EXPERIENCES
Kick start your whisky adventures
Whether it’s taking your drams outdoors, brushing up on your whisky knowledge or exploring flavour from the comfort of your couch – get 2025 off to a great start with a variety of whisky adventures, whether you’re new to the Society or a seasoned flavour hunter. Mads Schmoll has some suggestions to get your year underway
Picnic profile parties
Try an indoor flavour profile picnic. Pick Society whiskies from three different flavour profiles. Take a look at the Tasting Notes and choose three flavours from each bottling. It could be something edible, but you might also choose raw ingredients such as spices, candles or perfume with similar notes. Sit down and try the whisky while comparing notes with the items. Picnic blanket optional!
Want to take your adventure to the next level? Choose opposite flavours and pair savoury with sweet, or smoky with spicy. Need some more help? Check out this list to get started with our flavour profiles.
Adventures in learning
Our Focus on Flavour Education pack helps you uncover the flavours in your glass. Developed in partnership with The Edinburgh Whisky Academy, this one-hour course is fully accredited and includes four Society whiskies – available now in the UK and coming soon to the EU.
Vertical tasting
What is a vertical tasting? Usually, it’s a tasting showcasing whisky of different ages from the same distillery. One of the benefits of the variety and amount of Society whisky in our Members’ Rooms is that you can play around with factors other than age. Try flights with different flavour profiles or cask types and see what you uncover. It’s a great way to rediscover a favourite distillery or try something completely new.
Digital and analogue adventures
Too cold to go out? We hear you. If you’re after shorter reads, head to our Unfiltered archive. There are 100 issues (yes 100!) of whisky knowledge to uncover. Choose from distillery visits, interviews, thought pieces and more. It goes without saying that if you haven’t read Maverick: The Founder’s Tale, it’s a great book to learn about our founder, Pip Hills and how the Society began back in 1983. If you’re more digital than analogue, our YouTube channel, SMWSsilverscreen is packed with longer-form videos around whisky making, including our first-ever documentary Scotch & Sherry. Last but certainly not least is our podcast Whisky Talk, where we hear from the people who make whisky. It’s ideal for morning commutes or evening dog walks.
Try something different from your ‘usual’ adventure
Seasoned single malt drammer? Try your whisky in a cocktail. We appreciate it sounds controversial, but we promise it’s a whole new way to experience flavour.
Take the adventure outside
Admittedly in the northern hemisphere, things can still be a bit icy at this time of year. But there are the first signs of spring on the way (or at least, we hope so). Find some foraging experts and go on a flavour adventure. Try our Flavour Profile picnic idea with some of the flavours.
Let someone else take you on an adventure
In addition to a full programme of events at our four Members’ Rooms in the UK, we head to cities around the UK and Europe every month for tastings at partner bars and venues. With different themes and drams, there’s a flavour adventure ahead, no matter what kind of tasting you choose. If you’re heading further afield, check out our global network or partner bars, or reach out to one of our partner branches and join a local tasting. Wherever you go you can share drams in the company of fellow Society members – you can find the complete list on a global map here.
Book a whisky festival adventure
Booking a weekend away? Check out what’s on and build a trip around a whisky festival. We’ll be updating our calendar of festival appearances soon so come say hello to us at a festival and get to know other whisky lovers from around the world. One top tip: always bring your membership card!
Change your adventure
Always wanted to work in the whisky industry? Or maybe you already do and need a change of direction? The Our Whisky Foundation offers mentorships to women who want to join or progress in the global whisky industry. Applications open 10 April
Suggest an adventure
This is your Society – if we aren’t doing something you think we should be doing, tell us! We’re always on the lookout for new partner bars, tasting locations and event ideas. Drop our team an email and we’ll make sure it gets in the right person’s hands.