The Whisk(e)y Thread (Irish, Scottish, Miscellaneous)

[Hellraiser]

The Aussie whisky Starward Leftfield is an excellent drop. On offer on Amazon for £32 a bottle. As good as a lot of Scotches for the price

Had a taste of Sullivan's Cove French Oak at a tasting. It was very nice but the price for their whisky is just ridiculous.

Australian excise rates are insane, hence the prices. I have a bottle of this:



and the cheapest that the festival organiser, a mate of mine, could retail it at was €130. That was literally break-even pricing.

[Blackmac]

The Aussie whisky Starward Leftfield is an excellent drop. On offer on Amazon for £32 a bottle. As good as a lot of Scotches for the price

Had a taste of Sullivan's Cove French Oak at a tasting. It was very nice but the price for their whisky is just ridiculous.

Australian excise rates are insane, hence the prices. I have a bottle of this:



and the cheapest that the festival organiser, a mate of mine, could retail it at was €130. That was literally break-even pricing.

Yet Starward and a few others can still produce very decent £40 to £150 whisky. You can't get a Sullivan's Cove under £600. I think they are trading up based on their dubious "Best whisky in the World" award a few years ago.

[Jock42]

Anyone tried Glen Wyvis or Fib?

[Blackmac]

Anyone tried Glen Wyvis or Fib?

I'm an original investor in Glen Wyvis. The road has been extremely rocky for the distillery after the founder was ousted due to financial mismanagement. The distillery is on his land and we pay a £1 a year lease and he has done his best to disrupt the running of the distillery and drive them out of business. They have just won a three year legal battle against him but it has taken a huge amount of money and set operations back.
I received 2 bottles of their first batch which if I'm being honest were unremarkable as you may expect of a 3 year old. I've just ordered one of their recent single cask exclusives which is 6 years old and hopefully an improvement.

[Paddington Bear]

Anyone tried Glen Wyvis or Fib?

I'm an original investor in Glen Wyvis. The road has been extremely rocky for the distillery after the founder was ousted due to financial mismanagement. The distillery is on his land and we pay a £1 a year lease and he has done his best to disrupt the running of the distillery and drive them out of business. They have just won a three year legal battle against him but it has taken a huge amount of money and set operations back.
I received 2 bottles of their first batch which if I'm being honest were unremarkable as you may expect of a 3 year old. I've just ordered one of their recent single cask exclusives which is 6 years old and hopefully an improvement.

Also an investor as is most of my wife’s family - did you read the judgment? Absolutely wild stuff and a really sad story that’s caused a hell of a lot of issues round Strathpeffer. Not a universally held opinion but I think said founder has had a mental breakdown and needs some help

[Jock42]

Neither of you 2 are getting my hard earned cash!

It was the 6 yo I was looking at. The whisky caught my eye as we used to train around Glen Wyvis.

[Blackmac]

Anyone tried Glen Wyvis or Fib?

I'm an original investor in Glen Wyvis. The road has been extremely rocky for the distillery after the founder was ousted due to financial mismanagement. The distillery is on his land and we pay a £1 a year lease and he has done his best to disrupt the running of the distillery and drive them out of business. They have just won a three year legal battle against him but it has taken a huge amount of money and set operations back.
I received 2 bottles of their first batch which if I'm being honest were unremarkable as you may expect of a 3 year old. I've just ordered one of their recent single cask exclusives which is 6 years old and hopefully an improvement.

Also an investor as is most of my wife’s family - did you read the judgment? Absolutely wild stuff and a really sad story that’s caused a hell of a lot of issues round Strathpeffer. Not a universally held opinion but I think said founder has had a mental breakdown and needs some help

Blimey that's an incredible coincidence. Do you mind if I ask what your connection to the area is. I'm from Muir of Ord originally and still have family in Dingwall.

Yeah, the judgement was very damning. I agree with you that he has clearly had a breakdown. His Dingwall Whisky Trust site is insane and he is lashing out in all directions. He is now trying to sell a farm that is worthless because it has a distillery sitting right in the middle of it. His old fella was one of my dad's friends so it was sad to see that he was involved as well.

It was always an emotional investment for myself and if I'm honest I regret it hugely as I doubt there will ever be a return on the money. In addition to the legal problems I also think there are huge marketing failings, especially with the gin.

[Blackmac]

Neither of you 2 are getting my hard earned cash!

It was the 6 yo I was looking at. The whisky caught my eye as we used to train around Glen Wyvis.

If I'm being honest it was an investment in my old community rather than a good financial move.
As to the whisky, I would suggest there are better ways to spend £90 on whisky but it's always nice to try something new. I have a few whiskies from some of the newer distilleries like Kingsbarns and Harris.

[Slick]

Neither of you 2 are getting my hard earned cash!

It was the 6 yo I was looking at. The whisky caught my eye as we used to train around Glen Wyvis.

If I'm being honest it was an investment in my old community rather than a good financial move.
As to the whisky, I would suggest there are better ways to spend £90 on whisky but it's always nice to try something new. I have a few whiskies from some of the newer distilleries like Kingsbarns and Harris.

Really enjoy the stuff coming out from Kingsbarnes

[Jock42]

Neither of you 2 are getting my hard earned cash!

It was the 6 yo I was looking at. The whisky caught my eye as we used to train around Glen Wyvis.

If I'm being honest it was an investment in my old community rather than a good financial move.
As to the whisky, I would suggest there are better ways to spend £90 on whisky but it's always nice to try something new. I have a few whiskies from some of the newer distilleries like Kingsbarns and Harris.

Tbf it's only 60 on the master of malt. Might have a look at Kingsbarns, cheers.

[Paddington Bear]

I'm an original investor in Glen Wyvis. The road has been extremely rocky for the distillery after the founder was ousted due to financial mismanagement. The distillery is on his land and we pay a £1 a year lease and he has done his best to disrupt the running of the distillery and drive them out of business. They have just won a three year legal battle against him but it has taken a huge amount of money and set operations back.
I received 2 bottles of their first batch which if I'm being honest were unremarkable as you may expect of a 3 year old. I've just ordered one of their recent single cask exclusives which is 6 years old and hopefully an improvement.

Also an investor as is most of my wife’s family - did you read the judgment? Absolutely wild stuff and a really sad story that’s caused a hell of a lot of issues round Strathpeffer. Not a universally held opinion but I think said founder has had a mental breakdown and needs some help

Blimey that's an incredible coincidence. Do you mind if I ask what your connection to the area is. I'm from Muir of Ord originally and still have family in Dingwall.

Yeah, the judgement was very damning. I agree with you that he has clearly had a breakdown. His Dingwall Whisky Trust site is insane and he is lashing out in all directions. He is now trying to sell a farm that is worthless because it has a distillery sitting right in the middle of it. His old fella was one of my dad's friends so it was sad to see that he was involved as well.

It was always an emotional investment for myself and if I'm honest I regret it hugely as I doubt there will ever be a return on the money. In addition to the legal problems I also think there are huge marketing failings, especially with the gin.

My wife’s aunt and uncle live just outside Strathpeffer, moved up from Glasgow 40 years ago and never left. They’re really involved in all sorts of community projects. It’s a beautiful part of the world and avoids the issue of being inaccessible in the West Highland manner, it just so happens that I’ve always got on very well with them so we’re there fairly regularly. Strathpeffer even has a pretty healthy cricket club!

Unfortunately the flip side of community projects, and I include rugby clubs within this, is that when things do go wrong they go really wrong, and things get far more personal than they should do.

Similarly the investment was always for me more of a donation, can’t see it making any money and I suspect we may be past the peak of whisky investing anyway

[mat the expat]

Yet Starward and a few others can still produce very decent £40 to £150 whisky. You can't get a Sullivan's Cove under £600. I think they are trading up based on their dubious "Best whisky in the World" award a few years ago.

TBF, whilst their whisky is good, it's just marketing bollocks and people willing to spend it.

Habiki is almost impossible to find in Japan nowadays

[dpedin]

Just got a SMWS bottle to see me over the dark nights of Xmas and New Year. A cheapo by their standards at £59 - an 8 year old single malt at 60% proof. It is labelled as 122.72 which I believe comes from Loch Lomond.

I have also fallen in love with Barra Gin which is delightful, tastes just as it is described on the label and is a cheeky 46%. A nice late afternoon sipper with tonic. Recommended.

[Tichtheid]

Just got a SMWS bottle to see me over the dark nights of Xmas and New Year. A cheapo by their standards at £59 - an 8 year old single malt at 60% proof. It is labelled as 122.72 which I believe comes from Loch Lomond.

I have also fallen in love with Barra Gin which is delightful, tastes just as it is described on the label and is a cheeky 46%. A nice late afternoon sipper with tonic. Recommended.

Are you a member at SMWS?

I've been considering it but because I'm out of the city and the last trains are a bit bollocks I probably wouldn't make use of their bars.

[dpedin]

Just got a SMWS bottle to see me over the dark nights of Xmas and New Year. A cheapo by their standards at £59 - an 8 year old single malt at 60% proof. It is labelled as 122.72 which I believe comes from Loch Lomond.

I have also fallen in love with Barra Gin which is delightful, tastes just as it is described on the label and is a cheeky 46%. A nice late afternoon sipper with tonic. Recommended.

Are you a member at SMWS?

I've been considering it but because I'm out of the city and the last trains are a bit bollocks I probably wouldn't make use of their bars.

Yeh - been on and off a member for many years. Only rarely go to their venues but used to have a wonderful boozy lunch with workmates when I worked. We never made it back for the afternoon! The Vaults down in Leith is a brilliant venue. It is not cheap but a nice luxury to be honest.

[robmatic]

Just got a SMWS bottle to see me over the dark nights of Xmas and New Year. A cheapo by their standards at £59 - an 8 year old single malt at 60% proof. It is labelled as 122.72 which I believe comes from Loch Lomond.

I have also fallen in love with Barra Gin which is delightful, tastes just as it is described on the label and is a cheeky 46%. A nice late afternoon sipper with tonic. Recommended.

Are you a member at SMWS?

I've been considering it but because I'm out of the city and the last trains are a bit bollocks I probably wouldn't make use of their bars.

I was a member when I lived in Edinburgh but it made a lot of sense as I lived a stagger down the hill from Queen Street. I got really into their bottlings actually but I did prefer to sample at the bar before committing to a bottle.

[Sandstorm]

Jameson's is nice

[Hellraiser]

It really isn't. Not the bog standard one.

[Jock42]

Anyone tried the malt that VDM and Schoey have? I assume the 12 years is their combined time in country?

[Blackmac]

Jameson's is nice

Nice as in easy drinking with no character whatsoever. For a novice whisky drinker it's pleasant but that's it. Probably the reason it's used in so many cocktails.

[Uncle fester]

It really isn't. Not the bog standard one.

Compared to something like Grants, it's nectar of the gods.

Great trolling sandy.

[Sandstorm]

Jameson's is nice

Nice as in easy drinking with no character whatsoever. For a novice whisky drinker it's pleasant but that's it. Probably the reason it's used in so many cocktails.

Trolling is a wasted art around here.

[Tichtheid]

It really isn't. Not the bog standard one.

Compared to something like Grants, it's nectar of the gods.

Great trolling sandy.

Grants, Grouse, White Horse, Bushmills, Jamesons etc, all best served as a long drink with IRN BRU or Coke, with ice.

[dpedin]

It really isn't. Not the bog standard one.

Compared to something like Grants, it's nectar of the gods.

Great trolling sandy.

Grants, Grouse, White Horse, Bushmills, Jamesons etc, all best served as a long drink with IRN BRU or Coke, with ice.

Agreed - they all fall into the 'cocktail' whisky category!

[Biffer]

Also an investor as is most of my wife’s family - did you read the judgment? Absolutely wild stuff and a really sad story that’s caused a hell of a lot of issues round Strathpeffer. Not a universally held opinion but I think said founder has had a mental breakdown and needs some help

Blimey that's an incredible coincidence. Do you mind if I ask what your connection to the area is. I'm from Muir of Ord originally and still have family in Dingwall.

Yeah, the judgement was very damning. I agree with you that he has clearly had a breakdown. His Dingwall Whisky Trust site is insane and he is lashing out in all directions. He is now trying to sell a farm that is worthless because it has a distillery sitting right in the middle of it. His old fella was one of my dad's friends so it was sad to see that he was involved as well.

It was always an emotional investment for myself and if I'm honest I regret it hugely as I doubt there will ever be a return on the money. In addition to the legal problems I also think there are huge marketing failings, especially with the gin.

My wife’s aunt and uncle live just outside Strathpeffer, moved up from Glasgow 40 years ago and never left. They’re really involved in all sorts of community projects. It’s a beautiful part of the world and avoids the issue of being inaccessible in the West Highland manner, it just so happens that I’ve always got on very well with them so we’re there fairly regularly. Strathpeffer even has a pretty healthy cricket club!

Unfortunately the flip side of community projects, and I include rugby clubs within this, is that when things do go wrong they go really wrong, and things get far more personal than they should do.

Similarly the investment was always for me more of a donation, can’t see it making any money and I suspect we may be past the peak of whisky investing anyway

Fucking hell, is Paddington part Scottish? Does that mean we can't tell him to f off if he posts in the Scottish Rugby thread? I'm devastated.

[Paddington Bear]

Blimey that's an incredible coincidence. Do you mind if I ask what your connection to the area is. I'm from Muir of Ord originally and still have family in Dingwall.

Yeah, the judgement was very damning. I agree with you that he has clearly had a breakdown. His Dingwall Whisky Trust site is insane and he is lashing out in all directions. He is now trying to sell a farm that is worthless because it has a distillery sitting right in the middle of it. His old fella was one of my dad's friends so it was sad to see that he was involved as well.

It was always an emotional investment for myself and if I'm honest I regret it hugely as I doubt there will ever be a return on the money. In addition to the legal problems I also think there are huge marketing failings, especially with the gin.

My wife’s aunt and uncle live just outside Strathpeffer, moved up from Glasgow 40 years ago and never left. They’re really involved in all sorts of community projects. It’s a beautiful part of the world and avoids the issue of being inaccessible in the West Highland manner, it just so happens that I’ve always got on very well with them so we’re there fairly regularly. Strathpeffer even has a pretty healthy cricket club!

Unfortunately the flip side of community projects, and I include rugby clubs within this, is that when things do go wrong they go really wrong, and things get far more personal than they should do.

Similarly the investment was always for me more of a donation, can’t see it making any money and I suspect we may be past the peak of whisky investing anyway

Fucking hell, is Paddington part Scottish? Does that mean we can't tell him to f off if he posts in the Scottish Rugby thread? I'm devastated.

Only by marriage (though weirdly a largeish portion of my own family moved north as well) so please feel free to continue to tell me to fuck off to your heart’s content

[Slick]

It really isn't. Not the bog standard one.

Compared to something like Grants, it's nectar of the gods.

Great trolling sandy.

Grants, Grouse, White Horse, Bushmills, Jamesons etc, all best served as a long drink with IRN BRU or Coke, with ice.

I organised a reception at Diageo HQ in London recently and the International Brand Manager did a speech and spoke about in Nigeria White Horse has an almost mythical status from the time of Scottish Missionaries. Some of the stories are amazing like White Horse clubs where they quote sayings from the original distiller and treat it with reverence

[Biffer]

My wife’s aunt and uncle live just outside Strathpeffer, moved up from Glasgow 40 years ago and never left. They’re really involved in all sorts of community projects. It’s a beautiful part of the world and avoids the issue of being inaccessible in the West Highland manner, it just so happens that I’ve always got on very well with them so we’re there fairly regularly. Strathpeffer even has a pretty healthy cricket club!

Unfortunately the flip side of community projects, and I include rugby clubs within this, is that when things do go wrong they go really wrong, and things get far more personal than they should do.

Similarly the investment was always for me more of a donation, can’t see it making any money and I suspect we may be past the peak of whisky investing anyway

Fucking hell, is Paddington part Scottish? Does that mean we can't tell him to f off if he posts in the Scottish Rugby thread? I'm devastated.

Only by marriage (though weirdly a largeish portion of my own family moved north as well) so please feel free to continue to tell me to fuck off to your heart’s content

OK.

We're all Jock Tamson's bairns.

[Biffer]

My wife’s aunt and uncle live just outside Strathpeffer, moved up from Glasgow 40 years ago and never left. They’re really involved in all sorts of community projects. It’s a beautiful part of the world and avoids the issue of being inaccessible in the West Highland manner, it just so happens that I’ve always got on very well with them so we’re there fairly regularly. Strathpeffer even has a pretty healthy cricket club!

Unfortunately the flip side of community projects, and I include rugby clubs within this, is that when things do go wrong they go really wrong, and things get far more personal than they should do.

Similarly the investment was always for me more of a donation, can’t see it making any money and I suspect we may be past the peak of whisky investing anyway

Fucking hell, is Paddington part Scottish? Does that mean we can't tell him to f off if he posts in the Scottish Rugby thread? I'm devastated.

Only by marriage (though weirdly a largeish portion of my own family moved north as well) so please feel free to continue to tell me to fuck off to your heart’s content

But yeah, fuck off

[Tichtheid]

Compared to something like Grants, it's nectar of the gods.

Great trolling sandy.

Grants, Grouse, White Horse, Bushmills, Jamesons etc, all best served as a long drink with IRN BRU or Coke, with ice.

I organised a reception at Diageo HQ in London recently and the International Brand Manager did a speech and spoke about in Nigeria White Horse has an almost mythical status from the time of Scottish Missionaries. Some of the stories are amazing like White Horse clubs where they quote sayings from the original distiller and treat it with reverence

One of my classmatess at Uni used to carry one of the old flat half bottles of White Horse in the inside pocket of his suit jacket which he always wore with jeans - that's my most remembered memory of White Horse, that and the Richard Thompson lyric

We were drinking more in those days our tempers reached a pitch
Like a fool I let her run away when she took the rambling itch.
Last I heard she was living rough back on the Derby beat
A bottle of White Horse in her pocket, a Wolfhound at her feet

They say that she got married once to a man called Romany Brown
Even a gypsy caravan was too much like settlin’ down
They say her rose has faded, rough weather and hard booze,
Maybe thats the price you pay for the chains that you refuse

That man is a genius.

[Paddington Bear]

Seen a couple of people mention the SWMS and see they have a Farringdon branch, conveniently on my way home from work. Is it worth it? Been asked what I want for Christmas

[Tichtheid]

Seen a couple of people mention the SWMS and see they have a Farringdon branch, conveniently on my way home from work. Is it worth it? Been asked what I want for Christmas

The people I've know who have had membership have all recommended it. I think it gains you access to their club rooms and to the tastings, which you pay for. You can take guests to the venues and you can buy their whiskies - I don't know if these are discounted. The whiskies are not named as such, they come with a number on the bottle which denotes the distillery (you can find out which they are online). The whiskies I've had from there have all been superb, and are bottled at cask strength, so it's nearly a bottle and half, really.

I think the £100 membership comes with a bottle.

[dpedin]

Seen a couple of people mention the SWMS and see they have a Farringdon branch, conveniently on my way home from work. Is it worth it? Been asked what I want for Christmas

The people I've know who have had membership have all recommended it. I think it gains you access to their club rooms and to the tastings, which you pay for. You can take guests to the venues and you can buy their whiskies - I don't know if these are discounted. The whiskies are not named as such, they come with a number on the bottle which denotes the distillery (you can find out which they are online). The whiskies I've had from there have all been superb, and are bottled at cask strength, so it's nearly a bottle and half, really.

I think the £100 membership comes with a bottle.

Tichtheid is spot on - membership is £100 and you get given a bottle. You can also get referred by a member and they get 20% off membership and you will get £20 voucher. Only members can buy their whiskies and you get a first shot at regular monthly releases and they also have 'bin ends' which can be good value. The whiskies can be very very expensive but these tend to be aimed at the US and Far East markets. When in the Vaults I have seen Japanese visitors pick 12 or 24 different bottles and get the cases shipped back to their Japan, feck knows how much that cost them but they were picking bottles from £75 to £250 quid. They seemed to think it was excellent value!!!! I get bottles between £50 and £100 a bottle and they are still very decent indeed. Previous bottle I got was a 10yo 60% Bunnahabhain which was very peaty and oily and it was wonderful - £72.

It is probably very much a luxury for me but I don't mind spending a few quid extra to get top quality whiskies which are pretty unique. 2 or 3 bottles a year is a treat. Those with more knowledge and time can probably find similar whisky cheaper elsewhere but I just like the odd lunch in their venues etc. Here is the website.

https://smws.com

[inactionman]

Seen a couple of people mention the SWMS and see they have a Farringdon branch, conveniently on my way home from work. Is it worth it? Been asked what I want for Christmas

My membership has just expired, much as I liked it I found I didn't really use it as most of my mates aren't that into whisky so I'd only use it once or twice a year. I also moved away from Leith, where I was previously only 5 minutes from their Vaults, which makes it less practical - if you're close to the London branch it's definitely somewhere you'd make a detour to visit.

If you think you'd go with any regularity it's a really nice, relaxing place and you'll be spoilt for choice. It's not just another bar. Guests visit for free.

As you'd probably expect, there's a pretty mind-boggling choice of whiskies, they can recommend something to suit your tastes and although I'm no connoisseur I've yet to have a bad one.

I never did tastings or bought more than one bottle - I've got about a dozen unopened as gifts already - so can't really offer any comment o that.

Seen a couple of people mention the SWMS and see they have a Farringdon branch, conveniently on my way home from work. Is it worth it? Been asked what I want for Christmas

The people I've know who have had membership have all recommended it. I think it gains you access to their club rooms and to the tastings, which you pay for. You can take guests to the venues and you can buy their whiskies - I don't know if these are discounted. The whiskies are not named as such, they come with a number on the bottle which denotes the distillery (you can find out which they are online). The whiskies I've had from there have all been superb, and are bottled at cask strength, so it's nearly a bottle and half, really.

I think the £100 membership comes with a bottle.

There is membership with a bottle, so might just be worth trying that and see if you actually use the membership - you'll also get discounted renewal, I think its £75 but you get offers for £65 including a mystery bottle of malt.

[robmatic]

Seen a couple of people mention the SWMS and see they have a Farringdon branch, conveniently on my way home from work. Is it worth it? Been asked what I want for Christmas

The people I've know who have had membership have all recommended it. I think it gains you access to their club rooms and to the tastings, which you pay for. You can take guests to the venues and you can buy their whiskies - I don't know if these are discounted. The whiskies are not named as such, they come with a number on the bottle which denotes the distillery (you can find out which they are online). The whiskies I've had from there have all been superb, and are bottled at cask strength, so it's nearly a bottle and half, really.

I think the £100 membership comes with a bottle.

Tichtheid is spot on - membership is £100 and you get given a bottle. You can also get referred by a member and they get 20% off membership and you will get £20 voucher. Only members can buy their whiskies and you get a first shot at regular monthly releases and they also have 'bin ends' which can be good value. The whiskies can be very very expensive but these tend to be aimed at the US and Far East markets. When in the Vaults I have seen Japanese visitors pick 12 or 24 different bottles and get the cases shipped back to their Japan, feck knows how much that cost them but they were picking bottles from £75 to £250 quid. They seemed to think it was excellent value!!!! I get bottles between £50 and £100 a bottle and they are still very decent indeed. Previous bottle I got was a 10yo 60% Bunnahabhain which was very peaty and oily and it was wonderful - £72.

It is probably very much a luxury for me but I don't mind spending a few quid extra to get top quality whiskies which are pretty unique. 2 or 3 bottles a year is a treat. Those with more knowledge and time can probably find similar whisky cheaper elsewhere but I just like the odd lunch in their venues etc. Here is the website.

https://smws.com

Slight disclaimer here in that I gave up my membership 10 years ago so I am not up-to-date with the prices and offerings, but for me it was definitely worthwhile. My view on the pricing of the bottles was that it wasn't cheap (in comparison to buying standard single malts) but it was good value for money. As Tichtheid said, it is all cask strength so more bang for your buck, booziness-wise, and you can really get into the single cask aspect. For example, I find Highland Park (especially the duty free editions) to be a bit meh, but found the SMWS bottlings of their stuff to be really varied and interesting.

Membership makes a lot more sense if you are able to go to the bars reasonably frequently. I made good use of the venues in Edinburgh when I lived there. The tasting events were good fun and my girlfriend (now wife) and I enjoyed lunches etc. there and just going to sample the whiskies of an evening.

I only went to the Farringdon branch once but had a fun afternoon there that ended with a Ghanaian friend lying prone in the bathroom being "too hot to wear a bra" after the bar staff challenged her to drink a ridiculous chilli vodka they had hidden behind the bar. I think the venues are generally more civilised than that though.

[Slick]

Seen a couple of people mention the SWMS and see they have a Farringdon branch, conveniently on my way home from work. Is it worth it? Been asked what I want for Christmas

My membership has just expired, much as I liked it I found I didn't really use it as most of my mates aren't that into whisky so I'd only use it once or twice a year. I also moved away from Leith, where I was previously only 5 minutes from their Vaults, which makes it less practical - if you're close to the London branch it's definitely somewhere you'd make a detour to visit.

If you think you'd go with any regularity it's a really nice, relaxing place and you'll be spoilt for choice. It's not just another bar. Guests visit for free.

As you'd probably expect, there's a pretty mind-boggling choice of whiskies, they can recommend something to suit your tastes and although I'm no connoisseur I've yet to have a bad one.

I never did tastings or bought more than one bottle - I've got about a dozen unopened as gifts already - so can't really offer any comment o that.

Seen a couple of people mention the SWMS and see they have a Farringdon branch, conveniently on my way home from work. Is it worth it? Been asked what I want for Christmas

The people I've know who have had membership have all recommended it. I think it gains you access to their club rooms and to the tastings, which you pay for. You can take guests to the venues and you can buy their whiskies - I don't know if these are discounted. The whiskies are not named as such, they come with a number on the bottle which denotes the distillery (you can find out which they are online). The whiskies I've had from there have all been superb, and are bottled at cask strength, so it's nearly a bottle and half, really.

I think the £100 membership comes with a bottle.

There is membership with a bottle, so might just be worth trying that and see if you actually use the membership - you'll also get discounted renewal, I think its £75 but you get offers for £65 including a mystery bottle of malt.

Can you rejoin please

[Paddington Bear]

Thanks to all - think they’ve made a sale

[vball]

The kids bought me SMWS membership for Christmas. The bottle has arrived but remains unopened.
I will down in Edinburgh next week so will pop in and see what it is all about.
I see they even have a new members night on Thursday 9th. Might take the lad along as he bought the present (well his sister did and she would just demand payment from him!!)

[dpedin]

The kids bought me SMWS membership for Christmas. The bottle has arrived but remains unopened.
I will down in Edinburgh next week so will pop in and see what it is all about.
I see they even have a new members night on Thursday 9th. Might take the lad along as he bought the present (well his sister did and she would just demand payment from him!!)

Open the bottle!!!

Which one did they send you get by the way?

[vball]

I gather the "starters pack" gives you some idea of how to read the label so here goes .....

The name = A thinking dram
Tasting Note = Driving a Trabant on the island of Madeira before visiting a fruit, vegetable, flower and fish market in Funchal, and drinking a sercial madeira.
Society Cask Number = 18.54
Flavour profile = Oily and Coastal
Outturn = 1 of 251
Age = 15 years
Distilled = 18 Sept 2007
Initial Cask = Ex-bourbon hogshead
Final cask = 1st fill ex-oloroso hogshead
Region = Speyside
Strength = 59.4%

Lots of info to ponder over when I break the seal (will be Burns Night as that is when the kids are back up).