Highlights this month include:

  • Members’ whisky dens: The pandemic has forced all of us to spend more time at home, but some SMWS members are fortunate enough to have their very own whisky den to keep comfortable, socialise when permitted, or tune in to virtual tastings and our online pub sessions. Looking for some inspiration? Here’s a selection of what our members sent in from around the world.
  • Home tasting and members’ hosting tips: A home tasting is a chance to enjoy the company of like-minded spirits in the comfort of your own surroundings. In Unfilteredissue 42 from February 2019 we sampled one gathering and asked members for their tips on hosting the perfect get-together.
  • Christmas is coming: Whether it’s celebrations and cocktails ahead or cosying in next to the fire at home with a dram in hand, there are dozens of ways for members near and far to get involved with the Society this month, as Mads Schmoll reports.
  • Whisky History – Prohibition: The United States’ great experiment with Prohibition caused shockwaves in the world of Scotch whisky – and while many distilleries suffered, others survived and prospered. Gavin D Smith explores the history and impact of the ‘dry years’.
  • Robin Laing’s whisky music: Despite being unable to perform in person during the pandemic, SMWS Tasting Panel chair Robin Laing found the inspiration to write and record a new album of whisky-fuelled songs and poetry.
  • The Knowledge – Crowdfunding: Turning to ‘armchair investors’ to help get a distillery up and running is becoming increasingly popular – but as Tom Bruce-Gardynereports, it’s also an approach that requires careful navigation.
  • Member’s story – Running Dramathon: SMWS member Howard Calvert takes on 26 whisky-soaked miles through Speyside’s distilleries as part of the annual Dramathon race.
  • Share a dram with…Mads Schmoll: The Society’s social media guru.
  • Partner bar – Vejle, Denmark: The small town of Vejle might be somewhat off the map for many visitors to Denmark, but if you’re in search of the country’s best whisky bar, it’s well worth the journey.