A Closer Look at Top Whiskey Clubs
There are several joys to drinking whiskey: The thrill of discovering a new expression or style. The exuberance that can come from learning something new about a brand or the distillation process. The pleasure of building bonds with friends and fellow enthusiasts over a dram.
A whiskey club provides a concentrated burst of the best things about whiskey drinking. These organizations provide members with a dedicated focus on whiskey in its many categories, providing them with a way to consistently and conveniently learn and try something new. There’s often a social element involved, as most clubs host events and meet-ups that bring like-minded whiskey aficionados together. They’re not just a terrific way to expose you to new brands; they may help you make new friends.
Types of Whiskey Clubs
There are two types of clubs to consider. There are subscription-based clubs operated by a third party, like an independent bottler or a specific brand. There are also private clubs designed for whiskey enthusiasts to get together and try new things. Many private clubs are organized by region or interest. Both types offer special perks that make joining worthwhile, from tastings of rare and club-exclusive whiskies to meet-and-greets with master distillers. There are hundreds of club options to choose from, and there are no right or wrong clubs to join— just the club that’s right for you. That said, there are a few clubs that are particularly worth considering if the promise of drinking unique whiskies with like-minded people piques your interest.
6 Whiskey Clubs
Drammers
Drammers
Back in 2013, a bunch of whiskey buyers from New York bottle shop Astor Wine & Spirits would gather at a restaurant once a month and sample rare whiskies over some Chinese food. Fast forward to today, and this simple gathering has blossomed to an international club of around 1,300 members spread across fifteen cities. Membership grants access to exclusive events, priority access to a host of spirits industry events and group trips, discounts to tastings with distillers and other industry professionals, and access to their more than 65 exclusive barrel picks. They also offer a free Observer membership package that allows people to test drive the club before fully committing to Membership status.
2025 Lost Lantern Spring Finish Collection
Lost Lantern is new to the membership game — they launched their Discovery Club May 1— but they’re far from whiskey novices. The Vermont-based independent bottler scours the country sourcing casks from smaller and emerging distilleries with the intent of putting their unique spin on the juice. This often results in killer expressions that tend to sell out in a day, if not after a few hours. Discovery Club membership eliminates whiskey FOMO by guaranteeing one exclusive bottle per month shipped to their home. They’ll also receive perks like early access to non-Discovery Club releases, access to library bottlings, and events such as virtual tastings. Yet the biggest benefit to membership may be the opportunity to burrow deep into the American whiskey scene, as many of the featured releases in the club’s first year hail from distilleries distributed in just one or two states.
Women Who Whiskey get together photo credit Women Who Whiskey
When it comes to drinking, few things are more annoying than the assumption that women aren’t into brown spirits. This self-described “experimental whiskey club,” founded in 2011, pushes back on this frustrating stereotype. The numbers alone put unwitting misogyny in its place – they boast some 20,000 members in nearly 30 chapters around the globe. Getting involved in a chapter puts members front and center with special tastings, educational sessions, and exclusive events, led by some of the most influential women in the distilling industry. Most importantly, it allows women to connect with other women whiskey fans in an environment that uplifts their whiskey appreciation as opposed to treating it like a novelty. Men can also join the club, but it’s highly advisable that they refrain from being mansplaining jerks.
Foundry Distilling Co. Private Barrel Club bottle selection photo credit Foundry Distilling Co.
Rather than offering bottles, this Iowa-based distillery launched by Templeton Rye founder Scott Bush offers barrels of custom aged whiskies distilled on-site or sourced from MGP. Members kick off the process by tasting a slew of whiskey samples of various mash bills and age statements, either on-site or shipped five at a time. Once they find a mash bill they like, they work with the Private Barrel Club’s design team to create a personalized label and pick the right bottle style right down its stopper. The journey ends with members receiving a minimum of 60 uniquely crafted whiskies, sent to them in full legal compliance (including the laws that don’t make sense anymore in 2025). For patient folks that want complete control over their juice, the club gives the option to build a whiskey from the ground up via a completely customized mash bill. They won’t be able to enjoy this special product for a few years, of course. But in this case, the anticipation is part of the fun.
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Rather than hosting club meetups at specific venues like an event space, this independent bottler partners with select bars throughout the U.S., who handle year-round events and tastings. Like the selections its members receive at home each month, the whiskies poured at these events come from modest green bottles adorned with white labels featuring codes and specs. Deciphering the data reveals the distillery responsible for the liquid and how The Scotch Malt Whisky Society treated the juice, such as how long it was aged or the type of cask used. This treatment results in flavors and complexities that are different than the parent distillery’s known commodities. It’s a terrific way to indulge in something different without straying too far from the familiar.
Prime Barrel Whiskey photo credit Prime Barrel
Two things jump out about Prime Barrel’s membership club: Firstly, it’s a lifetime membership with no renewals. Secondly, they handle and track membership through NFTs. This latter element may carry “crypto bro” vibes for some, but don’t worry – this is very much an exclusive whiskey club embracing newer Internet-based tech. Membership comes in two tiers: The Single Barrel Advocate and the pricier Single Barrel Savant. Savant membership is roughly twice the price of the Advocate series, but it does offer perks like first access to new barrel drops and greater access to allocated bottles. Both offer access to virtual tastings, in-person local and virtual events like bottle shares, and the “members only” section on Prime Barrel’s Discord channel, so there’s plenty of opportunities to build bonds with fellow whiskey fans. The company also partially functions as an online bottle shop, so non-members can drop by their website and shop their public selection of unique barrel pick bottles. They can also purchase their own private barrel of rye or bourbon, adorned with their own homemade label. The casks are an investment — they start at around $10,000 — but it could very well be the purchase that inspires a group of enthusiasts to start their own private whiskey club.
In the end, joining a whiskey club is about more than just what’s in your glass — it’s about the experiences, connections, and discoveries that come with it. Whether you’re after rare single barrels, curated monthly surprises, or a community of fellow enthusiasts, there’s a club that fits your taste and style.