Celebrating 20 years of the Single Malt Whisky Club
A passion for single malt whisky that began with two friends sharing a bottle on Friday nights has grown into one of Australia’s most celebrated whisky communities. The Single Malt Whisky Club (SMWC), Australia’s first subscription whisky club, is proudly celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025.
Back in 2005, long before Australia had the thriving whisky scene it enjoys today, SMWC was created by two mates who wanted to make rare and exciting whiskies more accessible. At the time, single malt whisky mainly came from Scotland, and the Australian market offered only a handful of brands. Friends and family soon joined in on the fun, with everyone eager to sample and share hard-to-find bottles.
That enthusiasm turned into something bigger. “We initially developed the SMWC back in 2005 because we just couldn’t buy most of the really interesting single malts in Australia,” founder Brad Wright said. “We started simply as genuine enthusiasts, and our idea was to import a case or two and share the costs with others who were similarly interested.”
What began as a small circle of whisky lovers has since grown into a club with national recognition. Over the past twenty years, SMWC has become a leading subscription whisky club that sources the rarest, most unique and most interesting single malts from around the world. Members have been treated to exclusive releases from distilleries like Glenrothes, Benrinnes and Glen Scotia, as well as artisanal Australian distilleries that produce limited, small-batch expressions.
One of the club’s most remarkable projects highlighted just how far they were willing to go for innovation. “Amongst these ‘special’ projects, our wildest was probably our collaboration with Iron House Distillery in Tasmania where we had a couple of casks of their whisky stowed on a Tassy Abalone boat (the ‘Maverick’) for a year,” Brad said. “In those 12 months, the casks travelled 3280nm (about 6000km) in some of world’s most treacherous waters, endured 7 metre waves, 100km/h hurricane force winds and barometric pressure ranging from 910 to 1040HPA. All these factors combined to create a ‘hyper-aging’ environment. And what a whisky it turned out to be! Our members loved it, and it was swooned over at every whisky show we sampled it at that year.”
Stories like this illustrate why SMWC is more than just a club that delivers whisky. It is a community built on curiosity, adventure and a true appreciation of the craft. As Brad explained, “I think this is where SMWC is different to others. We’re enthusiasts. For us every whisky is an adventure, and we’re always up for new experiences that we take our members along on the ride for. That’s not something you’ll get in a less personal club.”
The whisky world has changed significantly since SMWC began. In the 1990s, Tasmania had no whisky distilleries at all. Today, there are over 70, and Australia boasts more than 700 distilleries, with around 200 producing whisky. Beyond Australia, world whisky has grown into a recognised category, with producers in countries such as India, Japan, France, America and even Israel winning international awards. SMWC members have been fortunate to enjoy this global growth first-hand through curated monthly selections.
Recognition for the club’s expertise came in 2021, when the Single Malt Whisky Club won the prestigious Icons of Whisky: Whisky Buyer of the Year Award. It was an acknowledgment from the global industry that the team behind SMWC truly understands whisky and knows how to source the very best.
The club remains member-focused at its core. Each month, subscribers receive a carefully chosen “Malt of the Month” delivered directly to their door, with options to receive bottles monthly, bi-monthly or just a few times a year. Members are never locked in, with the freedom to skip or opt out whenever they like. Gift memberships and an online store make it easy for anyone to experience the joy of rare single malts.
But SMWC is about more than just the whisky itself. “We are about much more than just cost-effective, home-delivered single malt whisky,” Brad said. “We believe that the best way to truly appreciate something is to learn about it. To this end, it is our mission to provide information and activities that ensure the tasting experience is as full as possible.”
This commitment to education is seen in the detailed tasting notes and video reviews provided with every release. The club avoids ranking or scoring whiskies, preferring instead to guide members toward discovering their own preferences. “Taste is a personal and subjective thing, so we tell you what it tastes like but not whether it is good or bad. What we dislike you may love. We provide guidance to our members and customers, so they choose based on their own preferences,” Brad continued.
Over the years, SMWC has featured whiskies from 19 countries, ranging from the traditional whisky regions of Scotland’s highlands, lowlands, speyside, Islay and the Islands to exciting new producers in Australia, New Zealand, India, Canada and Ireland. Members are often introduced to distilleries that produce only tiny amounts of whisky, ensuring every month offers something new and memorable.
The success of SMWC has even inspired the team to expand into other spirits. Rum lovers can now enjoy the Rum Tribe, a sister subscription club created to showcase unique rums from around the world. As Brad pointed out, “Rum is where whisky was around twenty years ago. I am looking forward to seeing the growth of this wonderful drink and how Australians will embrace the rum experience into the future.”
After twenty years, the Single Malt Whisky Club continues to thrive by staying true to its roots: whisky lovers sharing their passion with others. With no contracts, no obligations and no joining fees, the club remains accessible and community-driven. For those seeking rare drams, adventurous collaborations and a welcoming whisky family, SMWC is raising a glass to the next 20 years.