Some exciting news from the Society - today we’re launching a brand new platform to help make the membership experience better than ever: Member Rewards. This is a big deal for all Society members so gear up as today’s email is going to be a longer one.
This club was founded on a shared passion for continuously exploring new whiskies. By trying out new bottles, or sharing them with your friends, you’re helping to make all this possible. The new Member Rewards program is our way of giving back.
Now with Member Rewards, you’ll earn points when you participate in the Society. This includes; points for ordering a bottle, points for attending a tasting event, points for referring a friend to our club and more.
Just like an airline loyalty program, the amount of points you earn in a given year will unlock a unique status tier for the following year. Each tier offers a suite of new rewards that will be available to you throughout the full year. Rewards include things like store credit, free shipping on any sized order, multiple entries for all lottery bottlings, and commemorative tasting glasses.
All tiers will be going into effect on January 1, 2026. But here’s the kicker - you’ve already been issued points for activity so far this year! To view your current progress and where you stand for 2026, simply sign in to your Account page. Between now and January 1, 2026, any points you earn will be applied to your 2026 status.
Separate from Member Rewards, we’ve also created a new section in your Account page called Achievements. This is a fun way to track your own Society experience by completing unique challenges. Challenges include trying out whiskies from all 5 regions of Scotland, tasting 8 different Flavor Profiles, or exploring 5 different cask types. Completing a challenge will earn you a digital badge. There are no tangible rewards as there are with Member Rewards - just a fun way to see your collection come to life and brag to your fellow members.
This is a lifetime pursuit so progress won’t reset every year like Member Rewards. Due to technical limitations, previous order history is not accounted for. We’re all starting from scratch upon launch here in early November 2025!
One last thing… While the points you earn each year will determine your status tier for the following, you can also view the total points earned over the lifetime of your membership. 30,000 lifetime points will open the gates of whisky heaven: The Founder’s Clan. To learn more about it it, simply visit your Account page.
FAQ
POINTS
Q: How do I earn points?
A: Points are automatically added to your account when you complete any of the eligible tasks. Tasks include; order a bottle, purchase a ticket to a tasting event, gift a membership and more. For the full details, please visit your Account page.
Q: When do my points expire?
A: Annual points accumulate every year from January 1 and expire on December 31. The total points earned throughout this period will determine your status tier for the following year.
Q: What are lifetime points?
A: Lifetime points consider all bottle, membership and event ticket purchase history from the beginning of your membership as far back as 2016. Due to changes made to our member referral system over the years, however, historical referrals are not factored into the calculation of your lifetime points total. Historical lifetime points were applied to all valid membership holders at of the launch of the program.
REWARDS
Q: What are Member Rewards?
A: Member Rewards are exciting benefits issues to members each year based on points earned the previous year. Points are issues to members when they participate in the Society. This includes; points for ordering a bottle, points for attending a tasting event, points for referring a friend to our club and more. Just like an airline loyalty program, the amount of points you earn in a given year will unlock a unique status tier for the following year. Each tier offers a suite of new rewards that will be available to you throughout the full year. Rewards include things like store credit, free shipping on any sized order, multiple entries for all lottery bottlings, and commemorative tasting glasses.
Q: What is the difference between Rewards and Achievements?
A: Rewards are distinct member benefits that are issued to members at the start of each year based on points earned throughout the previous year. Rewards are tied to specific status tiers. Achievements, on the other hand, are digital badges awarded to members for completing specific objectives. These objectives are a fun and engaging way to bring the Society experience to life and are not related to annual rewards.
Q: When will I receive my rewards?
A: Rewards are issued at the beginning of the status year. Some rewards such as store credit and free shipping will be issued immediately on January 1. Tangible rewards such as commemorative tasting glasses and lapel pins will ship in the first quarter of the new year.
Q: I referred a friend, why haven’t I earned the points yet?
A: Referring a friend to the Society will earn you 150 points. However, points are issued only after your friend completes the sign up process. If for some reason your friend has completed the sign up process and you still haven’t received your points, please contact us at info@smwsa.com and we’ll get you sorted out.
EVENTS
Q: What type of tasting events are eligible for reward points?
A: 50 points are awarded to members who purchase a ticket for an official Society-sanctioned event. This does not include private tastings hosted by other members.
Q: I attended a tasting event but did not receive points.
A: Points are awarded to ticket purchasers only and must be for an official Society-sanctioned event. If you use different a email address to purchase the tickets, that could be the culprit. If you purchased a ticket for an official event and still have not received points, please contact us at info@smwsa.com or (646) 844-1154.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Q: What are achievements?
A: Separate from Member Rewards, we’ve also created a new section in your Account page called Achievements. This is a fun way to track your own Society experience by completing unique challenges. Challenges include trying out whiskies from all 5 regions of Scotland, tasting 8 different Flavor Profiles, or exploring 5 different cask types. Completing a challenge will earn you a digital badge. There are no tangible rewards as there are with Member Rewards - just a fun way to see your collection come to life and brag to your fellow members.
Q: Are achievements backdated to include past purchases?
A: Progress toward all achievements began on November 6. 2025. Any purchase prior to that date are not factored into your progress.
OTHER
Q: What are lottery entries?
A: Throughout the year, a handful of limited bottlings will be released and made available by lottery drawing only. Each status tier offers a lottery multiplier e.g. If a member in Level 2: Cask Hunter enters a lottery drawing, their one (1) entry will count as two (2).
Q: Do I need a bow and arrow to become a Cask Hunter?
A: Only if you’re aiming for legendary status. Otherwise, all you need is a sharp palate, a thirst for discovery, and maybe a steady hand when you raise your glass. Leave the archery to Robin Hood — you’ll be hunting casks, not deer.
