news release
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society Branches Out into India

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has expanded its global reach with the launch of a new branch in India, the largest spirits market in the world.

The Society is tapping into the aspirational Indian whisky drinkers who comprise the world’s largest consumer block for the Scotch whisky industry. Branded Scotch whisky sales crossed a million cases last year, which some analysts argued was only the beginning of a large market opening up.

India is seen as a huge opportunity for the Scotch industry, particularly as Scottish brands have less than one per cent of the Indian whisky market. 

Although India is recognised for having the biggest spirits market in the world, it is primarily Indian product that is sold there. Addressing this has become one of the UK whisky industry’s international priorities.

Set up in 1983, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society was born out of a love of single cask, single malt whisky. Achieving rapid national and global growth, the Society has become widely acknowledged as the source of the finest and most exclusive single cask, single malt whiskies available anywhere in the world.

As part of the Society’s launch, an event was held at the distinguished Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi. Society managing director, Paul Miles, who acted as host for the evening’s launch comments:  “This is an exciting development for the Society in a country where consumers are very interested in Scotch whisky and single malts. The enthusiasm expressed by everyone attending this event for what the Society has to offer was very encouraging.”

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has over 26,000 members worldwide with Members’ Rooms, in Edinburgh and London. The Society bottles single casks from a range of 125 malt whisky distilleries. Only the very best single cask, single malt whisky is selected, having been approved by the Society’s Tasting Panel. 

Ends         October 2009

Issued on behalf of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society by Weber Shandwick. For more information on events go to www.smwsevents.co.uk or contact:

Jenny McMahon    Stephanie Robertson
0131 556 6649     0131 556 6649
07770 886925     07809 665773
jmcmahon@webershandwick.com  srobertson@webershandwick.com

Notes to Editors:

UK Members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society enjoy:
• The finest selection of single cask, single malt whiskies from over 125 distilleries.  Every cask chosen for bottling has been scrutinised and approved by the Society’s Tasting Panel
• UK-wide whisky tasting programme
• Unfiltered, the Society’s quarterly magazine covering all things whisky related; a dedicated news section and an historical article and tasting note archive dating back to the Society’s earliest beginnings
• A wealth of information on malt whisky and the Society in our entertaining literature and online at www.smws.co.uk
• A warm welcome for members and their guests at Members’ Rooms in Edinburgh and London
• Unique tastings, exquisite private dining and tailor-made events
• The new introductory ‘Membership Box’
• Individual Membership costs £100 for the first year and annual renewal costs from £49.50.