Swiss Branch

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a private club, in the egalitarian Scottish sense. A Scottish club is a "home away from home' - a place where you can relax with friends, or just sit in front of the fire and read a good book. A quiet haven that lets you get away from it all.

The Society began in Edinburgh in the mid-1970s, when a group of friends met to sample the contents of a cask of malt whisky. What surprised and delighted them was the difference between whisky drawn straight from the cask, and that which came in a bottle. One cask led to another, the group of friends grew, and in 1983 they opened membership to the general public.

Two members moved to Switzerland, and decided to bring the Society along - the Swiss branch opened in 1994. Over the years, the Swiss Society has become an island of Scottish culture in the midst of Switzerland. In addition to the single cask malt whiskies it is renowned for, the Swiss Society imports many other Scottish goods such as ale, cheese, and smoked salmon. The Society also organises events throughout Switzerland, including whisky tastings, whisky dinners and concerts.

The Swiss Members' Room is located in Schönenwerd, in a historic villa overlooking the Aare. The Members' Room offers a haven of Scottish culture, where you can spend an evening relaxing with friends or colleagues, listening to Scottish music and enjoying a dram of one of the Society's single-cask whiskies - or perhaps a Scottish beer or a light meal.

Outside the Members' Room, we bring a bit of Scotland to you. The Society holds numerous events throughout Switzerland, including whisky tastings, concerts, dinners and other special events. We are also happy to organise private events at a location or your choosing.

Whether a member or a guest, you can be assured that we will do everything possible to make your time with us both memorable and enjoyable!