Learn More About the Whiskey Society: A List of Whiskey Societies to Join
Whiskey societies have become key players in the world of spirits, offering enthusiasts like you unique ways to explore, share, and celebrate their love for whiskey! Each individual society brings its own flavor to the table, from exclusive tastings to educational events, fostering a sense of community and spirit among members. Today, we’re going to chat about what makes a whiskey society, and discover several whiskey societies, highlighting their distinct features and what makes each special. Let’s get started, shall we?
What Is a Whiskey Society?
A whiskey society is a gathering spot (either physical or digital) for those who share a passion for whiskey. It’s a place where enthusiasts, from beginners to experts, can come together to explore the depths of whiskey varieties, sharing knowledge and experiences.
What Are the Perks of Joining?
Members of these societies gain exclusive access to rare and unique whiskeys, often getting the chance to taste bottles that aren’t available to the general public. This can be a huge perk!
These societies aren’t just about tasting whiskey; they’re about education, too. Through events, tastings, and discussions, members can learn about the distilling process, the history behind different whiskeys, and what makes each type unique.
Whiskey societies also often host special events, like distillery tours and guest speaker sessions, adding to the member experience. They serve as a bridge connecting whiskey lovers with the wider world of whiskey, providing a sense of community and belonging.
Whether you prefer Scotch, Bourbon, or Irish whiskey, there’s a society out there for you, ready to open the door to new whiskey adventures and friendships. Let’s take a look at some of your options.
Whiskey Societies Around the World:
Now, we’re going to take a look at some of the most well-known whiskey societies around the world. Here at Distillery Nearby, we tend to focus on distilleries in the USA, but it can be fun to talk about spirits around the world, too! Let’s take a look at some whiskey societies from around the world that you might be interested in joining.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America
This society prides itself on offering members access to some of the rarest Scotch whiskies available. Each bottle is unique, coming from a single cask, ensuring an exclusive tasting experience.
The society categorizes its whiskies into twelve color-coded flavor profiles, making it easier for members to explore new styles. They offer a blend of online and in-person experiences, including tasting events and a digital magazine, Unfiltered, filled with insightful whisky-related content.
SMWS Categories:
The categories that SMWSA uses to categorize whiskeys are:
- Young & Spritely
- Sweet Fruity & Mellow
- Spicy & Dry
- Spicy & Sweet
- Deep Rich & Dried Fruits
- Old & Dignified
- Light & Delicate
- Juicy Oak & Vanilla
- Oily & Coastal
- Lightly Peated
- Peated
- Heavily Peated
Each profile represents a different location on their flavor map, allowing members to explore a wide variety of single cask, single malt whiskies based on their flavor preferences. Check it out here.
World Whiskey Society
A newcomer established in 2020, the World Whiskey Society is known for its ultra-premium collection of rare whiskeys. They focus on “uniqueness,” sourcing whiskey globally to offer options previously unavailable to whiskey enthusiasts.
Their whiskeys, like the Doc Holliday 8 Year Straight Bourbon, showcase a variety of unusual flavors and a rich, complex palate, making them really stand out in the whiskey world.
Los Angeles Whiskey Society
The Los Angeles Whiskey Society operates both as a private club and a public resource, with a vast database of whiskey reviews and ratings. They focus on vintage whiskey and spirits, offering expert authentication and valuation services. While the society holds regular tasting meetings, they have shifted focus towards being a comprehensive source of whiskey information, embracing the spirit of sharing rather than just showing off.
You’ll see on their website that they’ve tried and reviewed over 3,800 whiskeys. That’s a lot of tastings! That has to be a record! They rarely have membership spots open, but it’s worth a shot to contact them and explain why you’d like to join. Learn more at the following link:
Albuquerque Whiskey Society
New Mexico’s first and only whiskey education group, the Albuquerque Whiskey Society was started in 2018. They hold monthly tasting events featuring a variety of whiskeys, including Bourbon, Scotch, Irish, and Japanese. They have a no annual fee policy or true membership option, charging only for event attendance. The society also arranges special tastings, nosing events, and boasts a selection of barrel picks, offering a community-focused whiskey learning experience.
Irish Whiskey Society
Dedicated to promoting the enjoyment of Ireland’s indigenous spirit, the Irish Whiskey Society welcomes members interested in all aspects of whiskey. They offer priority booking for tastings, distillery visits, and access to unique bottlings of Irish whiskey. With chapters in Dublin and Dingle, the society celebrates Irish whiskey’s heritage and variety in a friendly, casual setting.
Other Mentions
This certainly isn’t an exhaustive list! Smaller whiskey societies across the United States may be closer to you than you think! Here are a few others you could look into:
- The Scotch Club
- Midwest Single Malt Appreciation Society
- North Shore Whisky Club in Boston
- and the Black Bourbon Society
Find More Delicious Whiskeys and Other Spirits at Distillery Nearby!
Each of these whiskey societies brings something unique. From exclusive tastings and rare bottlings to educational resources and community events, there’s something for everyone! However, finding new spirits to try couldn’t be easier than with Distillery Nearby. Our unique distillery directory is organized both by state and by spirit, making it super simple to find new spirits in your area.
So, what are you waiting for? Browse our distillery directory today or check out our blog to learn more about whiskey!
