Some exciting news in Australia:

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (Australia) is delighted to announce an exciting new collaboration with The Royal Exchange of Sydney.  The Royal Exchange is a private Members’ Club in central Sydney offering fine dining in the restaurant and the opportunity to enjoy a drink in the adjacent bar…and herein lies the connection.
 
From Monday February 6th 2012, Members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (worldwide) will be able to buy Society whiskies by the dram at the bar of The Royal Exchange. Members may take up to two guests at a time to the venue. Some of the bottlings on offer will be exclusive to the Royal Exchange Whisky Bar and will not be available through Outturn (Aust) nor featured at any tasting events around the country.  All that is needed to gain entry to the club is your Society membership card. A whisky ‘menu’ will be available for you to peruse the drams on offer and you will also be able to dine at the venue.
 
More details about this exciting new collaboration will follow prior to the opening in February. This is the first SMWS “bar-in-bar” venue in Australia, and it is intended to follow suit with similar whisky bars in other cities around the country in the near future. 

www.smws.com.au