Whisky Forum - SMWS - would anyone recommend joining

thelastdram · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Jul 2016 Posts: 65

Been looking at SMWS not sure if it's worth the Â£122 first year, just wondering if anyone can help as I have never tasted any of their whiskies and probs won't be able to unless I join

Is there whiskys worth the joining fee???

Jodokusardbeg · Member Joined: 28 Aug 2016 Posts: 11

sorren · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject:

I looked at it and decided against it.. The thought of paying for the privilege to pay for a bottle put me off.. I'd rather buy from the many other indi bottlers..

Diademo · Master Of Malts Joined: 22 Aug 2012 Posts: 1255

IMO there are many other ways you can better spend Â£122. Beside this, they are sourcing now mostly younger casks with higher prices than other IB.

thelastdram · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Jul 2016 Posts: 65

That's what I was thinking is it worth it, I think you'd had to buy a bottle each month to just justify spending the joining fee, although I like the way they run it, obv you can find the names of the distilleries really easy on line but I like what they are trying to do

It's jut I have no experience with the whiskys so find hard to judge myself, maybe as you suggest be best to try other IB which I don't have to pay a fee for the privilege of buying

sorren · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 7:00 pm Post subject:

It does also depend where you live.. If your close enough to visit the vaults regular and take advantage of them then it becomes slightly better.. But with Â£122 you can buy a damn good bottle or two and the other indie bottles are then of similar price.. If you want a nice magazine too subscribe to whisky mag..

thelastdram · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Jul 2016 Posts: 65

Thanks for the advice I think I'll take it and buy a few ID bottles for the Â£122 instead of signing up

ziggsteruk · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 7:01 pm Post subject:

sorren · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2016 7:12 pm Post subject:

My argument is you need to buy at least a dozen bottles to equal that money out to a reasonable amount.. Someone like Douglas Laing put out damn good whisky and there is no privilege fee with them...

James T · Master Of Malts Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Posts: 2966

Unless you have a venue near by which you can visit regularly I would say the SMWS isn't worth joining, of course if you live in Edinburgh or London or some other location in the world where they have a venue were you can visit then it may be worth a membership.

thelastdram · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Jul 2016 Posts: 65

Thanks gents

Think I'll maybe make a few Douglas Laing purchases

thelastdram · Single Malt Member Joined: 28 Jul 2016 Posts: 65

Thanks gents

Think I'll maybe make a few Douglas Laing purchases