A whisky for all

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society - a members’ organisation providing the widest selection of single cask malt whiskies – runs a series of tasting events in its Members Rooms in Edinburgh giving members and their guests a chance to taste a wide range of whiskies in ambient surroundings.

Each tasting has its own distinctive theme with representatives from the Society’s UK-wide tasting team on hand to share their knowledge and expertise, inviting locals to nose and taste some of the finest single cask malt whiskies in the world. The Society balances providing expert advice with encouraging members to develop their own opinions and establish their personal favourites.
It all began over 25 years ago when a rather bohemian group of friends discovered they could buy a single cask of whisky from a distillery. They headed to Speyside, bought the cask and divided it up between them, filling old bottles.

This little syndicate remained as it was for a few years until the Vaults building in Leith came up for sale and the group bought it. In 1983 a society was formalised to get around the fact that they weren’t allowed to sell the whisky in shops and could not put the name of the distillery on their bottles. That is when the numbering system was decided upon and is still used today. Being a member of the Scottish Malt Whisky Society is the only way of gaining access to this unique whisky of which there is a finite amount of each cask.
Today the Society bottles over 200 casks a year from a range of 125 malt whisky distilleries. Only the very best single cask malt whisky is selected, having been approved by the Society’s Tasting Panel.
Venue director Anne Griffiths explains how the tasting events began. “The whisky is stronger and the taste of each cask so varied, that we began to offer tasting sessions.

“An article in The Times in 1984 generated so much interest in this little society that the a world-wide membership had to be created and we began to organised tasting events all over the UK and across the world for our members.”
However for those of you lucky enough to be based in Edinburgh, The Vaults still remains as the real hub of the society and is a mecca for whisky lovers the world over. The newer Members Room at Queen Street is a great venue for those based in the centre of the city. Both venues hold regular tasting events for members and their guests.

Paul Miles, managing director of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “The real enjoyment of a fine malt whisky comes from sharing it with friends. Those partial to a traditional dram take great pleasure in comparing thoughts about the taste and aroma, and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society provides the perfect environment in which to do this.”
Says Anne: “The society is not just for whisky connoisseurs but for anyone – those who like whisky and those who think they don’t. We will find a whisky for anyone!”
Tasting events are very diverse including ‘whisky and chocolate’, ‘whisky and salmon’ and even ‘whisky and ice-cream’ as well as wood finishes.

On 11 May at The Vaults, the event is a regular one – a Sunday Roast Tasting. Pop along to the venue at around 12 noon to read the Sunday papers; the bar opens at 12.30pm and at 1pm lunch is served in the Whisky Room. You will be told about the four single cask whiskies to be served throughout as you choose your roast menu. Drink them when you want to, retiring after lunch to the Members’ Room to relax on the comfy sofas.
The following week (19 May) at the same venue, the event is Islay versus Island - four single cask Society drams will be on offer to taste with a mystery one at the end of the evening. Delicious fish pie is served too.
28 Queen Street sees a New Members’ Tasting on 26 May. If you have joined the society, but are not really sure what to do and where to start, this is the ideal night for you. You will find out how to drink Society whisky so that you will enjoy it most as well as taking a tour of the whisky regions, five drams and a scrumptious supper.

If you are not a member of the society and you can wait until festival time, events are organised throughout the festival open to everyone and this year will include a walking tour of the whisky history of Leith.

Can’t wait till then? Those interested in membership can find out more at www.smws.co.uk or call the membership secretary on 0131 555 2929, Monday to Friday, 9.00 am - 4.45 pm.

The Dell Inn

Quality food, quality ale and quality service – the three preserves of the good pub. This is what Bill and Chris Moulding have brought to The Dell Inn (formerly The Tickled Trout) on the Lanark Road.

Ex Mayor of Hexham, Northumberland and his wife have always loved Edinburgh and have been visiting since their courting days and beyond. Their two sons Neil and Mark share their love of the city - Neil now works for Lothian Buses, while Mark is with the Royal Navy based at Faslane.

Bill and Chris have always dreamed of owning a city pub in Edinburgh and as they stamp their own style on the Lanark Road pub, their dream has come true. Taking over on 26 September last year, they refurbished and reopened as The Dell Inn, the original name of the pub. The pub lies opposite the Water of Leith Visitor Centre and has a beer garden for summer dining.

Chris now runs the kitchen the way she wants. “I wanted quality food so I shopped around and our meat is home reared and supplied by Scottish Quality Meats of Loanhead who also supply free range chicken. The dessert menu is bought in locally from Musselburgh and is of high quality.”

The ale is Bill’s department. His great love is cask ales so his priority was to get them on tap. The regular ales are Theakston’s Old Peculiar and Deuchar’s IPA. “My long term aim is to introduce another three pumps so that I can have regular guest ales from all over the UK,” he says.

The Dell Inn is family friendly with no pool tables and wide screens and with its beautiful setting at the water’s edge, the pub has been restored to its former glory and welcomes families to come and enjoy good food, good ale, good service and a great atmosphere.

The Dell Inn
27 Lanark Road
0131 443 9991