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The team behind The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) are offering one lucky member the chance to win a cask of whisky from Holyrood Distillery.
The competition marks the start of the society's annual Gathering, which is taking place mostly online this year.
This is the first time SMWS has offered members the chance to win an entire cask of whisky from a partner distillery.
The prize is worth approximately £10K and includes all associated costs including production of spirit, maturation for up to 10 years, bottling and duty, and is the ultimate prize for any whisky-lover.
Holyrood Distillery is Edinburgh’s first city centre single malt whisky distillery for nearly a century, and, as part of their new custom casks programme, the team can offer whisky fans a fully customisable option.
These two Edinburgh-based whisky organisations have paired up for this special project, with the lucky SMWS member being able to select their own bespoke cask of whisky from Holyrood Distillery.
The competition went live on Monday 7 September, and all SMWS members have to do is enter online.
This year’s SMWS Gathering is taking place throughout September. Building on the success of its inaugural event last year, The Gathering 2020 will focus on the SMWS global community of over 27,000 members, uniting them with the society's range of single cask whiskies.
A series of tastings (both virtual and in-person), whisky webinars, global ambassador at-home tastings, virtual pub sessions with global guests and a Twitter tasting will take place throughout the month.
In a year where many whisky events and festivals have been forced to move online, SMWS are encouraging members to host their own Gathering events at home, with home tasting kits available to download.
The SMWS is now a truly global membership organisation, with members and partner bars across the world. Each SMWS branch around the world will have its own market-exclusive Gathering bottle.
Helen Stewart, head of marketing and membership at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “Can you imagine owning your own full cask of single malt whisky? That’s the incredible prize that is up for grabs to all the member of the SMWS.
“Without doubt it’s the biggest prize we’ve ever offered to our members and with our global festival The Gathering beginning on 31st August, it’s the perfect time to show the world what we do at SMWS – but you have to be in it to win it.
“It’s been tough for everyone in different ways, but nothing can stop us from celebrating our amazing membership. We’re encouraging members to join in on their own or organise their own Gathering at home and take part with friends.
"We’ll be celebrating all things Society at The Gathering from 31st August.”
Tickets and a full calendar of events can be found online.
What do the Scotch Malt Whisky Society distillery numbers and label colours mean?
