The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, or SMWS, is an independent bottler of single cask whisky and other spirits. For those unfamiliar with the term, an independent bottler is an entity that purchases spirit from third parties and bottles it under their own label. Individuals must pay an annual fee to join the SMWS, which grants members the ability to purchase society bottlings, invitation to exclusive tastings, and other perks.
Unlike most independent bottlers, SMWS’ bottles don’t display the names of distilleries from which the whisky was sourced. There are two reasons for this, both having to do with the off-profile nature of single cask spirits. First, the SMWS doesn’t want members to disregard a whisky based on experiences with official bottlings and preconceived notions of distillery taste profiles. Second, in order to retain control over their brand, some distilleries won’t sell casks of their spirit to independent bottlers or blenders unless the purchaser agrees not to name the distillery on the packaging.
To get around that, the SMWS uses a numbering convention comprised of two sets of digits. The first set of digits represents the distillery from which the whisky was sourced, while the second set of digits represents the number of single casks that the SMWS have bottled from that respective distillery. For example, 73.78 would be the SMWS’ 78th single cask bottling of an Aultmore (73), while 73.79 would be their 79th single cask bottling of an Aultmore.
If the SMWS doesn’t disclose their source, how do we know that 73 is the distillery code for Aultmore? The SMWS releases official tasting notes with every bottle, and these tasting notes include hints that can help identify the distillery from which a whisky was sourced. Below is a list of all SMWS codes and the distilleries they represent, pieced together from various sources.
Single Malt Whisky
Distillery
Code
Origin
Glenfarclas
1
Scotland
Glenlivet
2
Scotland
Bowmore
3
Scotland
Highland Park
4
Scotland
Auchentoshan
5
Scotland
Glen Deveron (Macduff Distillery)
6
Scotland
Longmorn
7
Scotland
Tamdhu
8
Scotland
Glen Grant
9
Scotland
Bunnahabhain
10
Scotland
Tomatin
11
Scotland
Benriach
12
Scotland
Dalmore
13
Scotland
Talisker
14
Scotland
Glenfiddich
15
Scotland
Glenturret
16
Scotland
Scapa
17
Scotland
Inchgower
18
Scotland
Glen Garioch
19
Scotland
Inverleven
20
Scotland
Glenglassaugh
21
Scotland
Glenkinchie
22
Scotland
Bruichladdich
23
Scotland
Macallan
24
Scotland
Rosebank
25
Scotland
Clynelish
26
Scotland
Springbank
27
Scotland
Tullibardine
28
Scotland
Laphroaig
29
Scotland
Glenrothes
30
Scotland
Isle of Jura
31
Scotland
Edradour
32
Scotland
Ardbeg
33
Scotland
Tamnavulin
34
Scotland
Glen Moray
35
Scotland
Benrinnes
36
Scotland
Cragganmore
37
Scotland
Caperdonich
38
Scotland
Linkwood
39
Scotland
Balvenie
40
Scotland
Dailuaine
41
Scotland
Tobermory / Ledaig
42
Scotland
Port Ellen
43
Scotland
Craigellachie
44
Scotland
Dallas Dhu
45
Scotland
Glenlossie
46
Scotland
Benromach
47
Scotland
Balmenach
48
Scotland
Linlithgow / St. Magdalene
49
Scotland
Bladnoch
50
Scotland
Bushmills
51
Ireland
Old Pulteney
52
Scotland
Caol Ila
53
Scotland
Aberlour
54
Scotland
Royal Brackla
55
Scotland
Coleburn
56
Scotland
Glen Mhor
57
Scotland
Strathisla
58
Scotland
Teaninich
59
Scotland
Aberfeldy
60
Scotland
Brora
61
Scotland
Glenlochy
62
Scotland
Glentauchers
63
Scotland
Mannochmore
64
Scotland
Imperial
65
Scotland
Ardmore
66
Scotland
Banff
67
Scotland
Blair Athol
68
Scotland
Glen Albyn
69
Scotland
Balblair
70
Scotland
Glenburgie
71
Scotland
Miltonduff
72
Scotland
Aultmore
73
Scotland
North Port
74
Scotland
Glenury / Glenury Royal
75
Scotland
Mortlach
76
Scotland
Glen Ord / Glenordie
77
Scotland
Ben Nevis
78
Scotland
Deanston
79
Scotland
Glen Spey
80
Scotland
Glen Keith
81
Scotland
Glencadam
82
Scotland
Convalmore
83
Scotland
Glendullan
84
Scotland
Glen Elgin
85
Scotland
Glenesk
86
Scotland
Millburn
87
Scotland
Speyburn
88
Scotland
Tomintoul
89
Scotland
Pittyvaich
90
Scotland
Dufftown
91
Scotland
Lochside
92
Scotland
Glen Scotia
93
Scotland
Fettercairn
94
Scotland
Auchroisk / Singleton
95
Scotland
Glendronach
96
Scotland
Littlemill
97
Scotland
Lomond (Inverleven Distillery)
98
Scotland
Glenugie
99
Scotland
Strathmill
100
Scotland
Knockando
101
Scotland
Dalwhinnie
102
Scotland
Royal Lochnagar
103
Scotland
Glencraig (Glenburgie Distillery)
104
Scotland
Tormore
105
Scotland
Cardhu
106
Scotland
Glenallachie
107
Scotland
Allt-a-Bhainne
108
Scotland
Mosstowie (Miltonduff Distillery)
109
Scotland
Oban
110
Scotland
Lagavulin
111
Scotland
Inchmurrin (Loch Lomond Distillery)
112
Scotland
Braes of Glenlivet (Braeval Distillery)
113
Scotland
Longrow (Springbank Distillery)
114
Scotland
AnCnoc (Knockdhu Distillery)
115
Scotland
Yoichi
116
Japan
Cooley (Unpeated)
117
Ireland
Cooley / Connemara (Peated)
118
Ireland
Yamazaki
119
Japan
Hakushu
120
Japan
Isle of Arran
121
Scotland
Croftengea (Loch Lomond Distillery)
122
Scotland
Glengoyne
123
Scotland
Miyagikyo
124
Japan
Glenmorangie
125
Scotland
Hazelburn (Springbank Distillery)
126
Scotland
Port Charlotte (Bruichladdich Distillery)
127
Scotland
Penderyn
128
Wales
Kilchoman
129
Scotland
Chichibu
130
Japan
Hanyu
131
Japan
Karuizawa
132
Japan
Westland
133
Seattle (USA)
Paul John
134
India
Inchmoan (Loch Lomond Distillery)
135
Scotland
Eden Mill
136
Scotland
English Whisky Company (St. George’s Distillery)
137
England
Omar (Nantou Distillery)
138
Taiwan
Kavalan
139
Taiwan
Balcones
140
Texas (USA)
Fary Lochan
141
Denmark
Breuckelen Distilling
142
New York (USA)
Copperworks Distilling Company
143
Seattle (USA)
High Coast Distillery
144
Sweden
Smögen Whisky
145
Sweden
Cotswolds Distillery
146
England
Archie Rose Distilling
147
Australia
Starward (New World Whisky Distillery)
148
Australia
Ardnamurchan
149
Scotland
West Cork Distillers
150
Ireland
Mackmyra
151
Sweden
Shelter Point Distillery
152
Canada
Thy Whisky
153
Denmark
Mosgaard
154
Denmark
Milk & Honey
155
Israel
The Glasgow Distillery Company
156
Scotland
Armorik (Warenghem Distillery)
157
France
Grain Whisky
Distillery
Code
Origin
North British
G1
Scotland
Carsebridge
G2
Scotland
Caledonian
G3
Scotland
Cameronbridge
G4
Scotland
Invergordon
G5
Scotland
Port Dundas
G6
Scotland
Girvan
G7
Scotland
Cambus
G8
Scotland
Loch Lomond
G9
Scotland
Strathclyde
G10
Scotland
Nikka Coffey Grain
G11
Japan
Nikka Coffey Malt
G12
Japan
Chita
G13
Japan
Dumbarton
G14
Scotland
Rhosdhu (Loch Lomond Distillery)
G15
Scotland
The Glasgow Distillery Company
G16
Scotland
Bourbon
Distillery
Code
Origin
Heaven Hill
B1
Kentucky (USA)
Bernheim
B2
Kentucky (USA)
Rock Town
B3
Arkansas (USA)
F.E.W
B4
Illinois (USA)
George Dickel (Cascade Hollow)
B5
Tennessee (USA)
Finger Lakes Distilling
B6
New York (USA)
MGP
B7
Indiana (USA)
Woodinville Whiskey Co.
B8
Washington (USA)
Rye
Distillery
Code
Origin
F.E.W
RW1
Illinois (USA)
Finger Lakes Distilling
RW2
New York (USA)
New York Distilling Company
RW3
New York (USA)
Peerless Distilling Co.
RW4
Kentucky (USA)
MGP
RW5
Indiana (USA)
Kyrö Distillery Company
RW6
Finland
Journeyman Distillery
RW7
Michigan (USA)
Corn Whiskey
Distillery
Code
Origin
Heaven Hill
CW1
Kentucky (USA)
Balcones
CW2
Texas (USA)
Armagnac
Distillery
Code
Origin
Chateau de Lacaze
A1
France
Domaine Laguille
A2
France
J. Goudoulin
A3
France
Domaine d’Espérance
A4
France
Chateau de Laubade
A5
France
Domaine Lasalle
A6
France
Domaine de Cavaillon
A8
France
Cognac
Distillery
Code
Origin
Camus
C1
France
Domaine de Chez Guérive
C2
France
Louis Royer
C3
France
Distillery D’Aumagne
C4
France
Tiffon Cognac
C5
France
M & H Bonneau
C6
France
Guy Rateau PC
C7
France
Marie C Bodit GC
C8
France
Robert Audebeau PC
C9
France
Gin
Distillery
Code
Origin
Makar (The Glasgow Distillery Company)
GN1
Scotland
Strathearn Distillery
GN2
Scotland
Borders Distillery
GN3
Scotland
Boatyard Distillery
GN4
Ireland
Glenrinnes Distillery
GN5
Scotland
Holyrood Distillery
GN6
Scotland
Rum
Distillery
Code
Origin
Monymusk
R1
Jamaica
El Dorado (Demerara Distillers)
R2
Guyana
West Indies Rum Distillery
R3
Barbados
Angostura (Trinidad Distillers)
R4
Trinidad
Long Pond Distillery
R5
Jamaica
Foursquare
R6
Barbados
Hampden Distillery
R7
Jamaica
Compañía Licorera de Nicaragua (Flor de Caña)
R8
Nicaragua
Varela Hermanos (Ron Abuelo)
R9
Panama
Trinidad Distiller’s
R10
Trinidad
Worthy Park
R11
Jamaica
Travellers
R12
Belize
Caroni
R13
Trinidad
Uitvlugt
R14
Guyana
Spot an error? Missing a distillery code? Please contact us or leave a comment below and we’ll update the list.
Aha! Thanks for sharing that link Roy! It seems the SMWS Switzerland chapter refers to this release as LRB1, but the SMWS UK chapter just refers to it as “A Trifle Delightful” – Cask No. Blend 1.
Hi Sandy! Most SMWS bottles don’t appreciate significantly. You should look at auction sites such as Scotch Whisky Auctions to see if that specific bottle has ever been listed for sale and to gauge what someone may be willing to pay.
Excellent resource, unfortunately can’t name any names but all I can say is you were highly recommended! Please don’t stop doing this! We greatly appreciate what you do, thank you!
I have a bottle of 12 year old Pure Malt Whisky which was labeled by the Law Society of Scotland, I received this around 10-15 years ago. I have been unable to locate the distillery, the only bottling references i can see are a code that reads SO754, further numbering around the rim of the base read 62- , also 57 and U3.
Pure malt is the clue, pure malt is malt from more than one distillery. Sometimes called vatted malt. It is only malt whiskey, in contrast to blended where there is both malt whisky and grain whisky from multiple distilleries.
As you probably already seen SMWS 151 has now been released. They kindly gave as an indisputable clue, it is a gravity distillery in Sweden. So now there is the first SMWS release from Mackmyra whisky.
61 Comments
Excellent resource, thank you.
Labor of love here. By far the most complete and up to date list on the interwebs. Thank you Elias.
Which is cask nr. LRB1? It is a cognac
I can’t find any information on this bottle. Was it exclusive to a specific country or region? Can you share a photo of the bottle?
Hi Daniel
I believe LRB1 was the first Society XO Cognac
https://shop.smws.ch/pi/en/other-spirits/LRB1-TRIFLE-DELIGHTFUL.html
Aha! Thanks for sharing that link Roy! It seems the SMWS Switzerland chapter refers to this release as LRB1, but the SMWS UK chapter just refers to it as “A Trifle Delightful” – Cask No. Blend 1.
Hi I have a bottle of SMWS with number 59.37 on the bottle. How can I find out how much it is worth.
Thank you
Hi Sandy! Most SMWS bottles don’t appreciate significantly. You should look at auction sites such as Scotch Whisky Auctions to see if that specific bottle has ever been listed for sale and to gauge what someone may be willing to pay.
Just read that Copperworks Distilling is going to be distillery 143.
Thanks, we’ve updated the list to include 143.
anyone know which cognac is in C8?
I’ve been informed that C8 is Marie C Bodit GC.
Just saw that 144 is High Coast Distillery in Sweden.
Is this the home of Mackmyra?
Thanks Daniel, I’ve updated the list to include 144 (High Coast Distillery)!
No, they are further south In Sweden. High Coast was previously called Box.
Now, there is another Swedish distillery in the SMWS family, 145 is from the west coast, it is called Smögen Whisky.
Thanks, I’ve updated the list to include 145.
Filling in a few gaps from a recent SMWSA release:
142 = Breucklen Distilling
B6 = Finger Lakes Distilling
RW2 = Finger Lakes Distilling
Thanks Mike! I’ve updated the list to include 142, B6, and RW2.
Excellent resource!
I think their new “149” might be :-
149 Ardnamurchan Highland
(but I haven’t confirmed)
Looks like you’re right, thanks for the tip! I’ve updated the list to include 149.
147 is Archie Rose, from Sydney, Australia
Thanks for the tip! I’ve added 147 to the list.
Do you know what R14 is yet?
Rum distillery R14 is Uitvlugt, closed Guyana distillery.
Hey Mark! James is correct – I’ve just received confirmation that R14 is Uitvlugt and added it to the list.
148 is Starward distillery from Melbourne Victoria in Australia
I’ve added 148 to the list. Thank you!
Excellent resource, unfortunately can’t name any names but all I can say is you were highly recommended! Please don’t stop doing this! We greatly appreciate what you do, thank you!
Thank you for the kind words!
New Corn Whiskey category! CW 1.1 is from Heaven Hill, I believe?
It is! I’ve updated the list to include the new Corn Whiskey category and CW1!
150 is going to be West Cork Distillery in Ireland, the SMWS confirmed it in their e-magazine
Thanks for the tip! I’ve added 150 (West Cork Distillers) to the list.
I got a bottle with the number 59.9 we’re would That be from
Distillery 59 is Teaninich.
I have a bottle of 12 year old Pure Malt Whisky which was labeled by the Law Society of Scotland, I received this around 10-15 years ago. I have been unable to locate the distillery, the only bottling references i can see are a code that reads SO754, further numbering around the rim of the base read 62- , also 57 and U3.
Any ideas?
Hi Rob,
Pure malt is the clue, pure malt is malt from more than one distillery. Sometimes called vatted malt. It is only malt whiskey, in contrast to blended where there is both malt whisky and grain whisky from multiple distilleries.
Hi Elias,
As you probably already seen SMWS 151 has now been released. They kindly gave as an indisputable clue, it is a gravity distillery in Sweden. So now there is the first SMWS release from Mackmyra whisky.
Thanks for keeping this list up to date.
Daniel
I just added distillery 151 (Mackmyra) to the list. Thanks for the heads up Daniel!
152.1 is out should be Macaloney’s Caledonian
CW2 is probably Balcones
It appears 152 is Shelter Point Distillery, but you’re correct about CW2 being Balcones. I’ve updated the list to include both distilleries. Cheers!
Anyone know what B7.1 and RW5.1 are by chance?
Hi Dave! I just updated the list to include B7 and RW5. Both are MGP (Midwest Grain Products) out of Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
Hi,
Read in a review from an outrun preview, that GN6 is the Hollyrood Distrllery in Edinburgh.
Thanks for the tip! I’ve added GN6 (Holyrood Distillery) to the list.
Does anyone know the name of distillery CW4? SMWS says it’s out of Kentucky.
Sorry! RW4
I just received word that RW4 is Peerless and it’s been added to the list. Cheers!
I knew you’d have the answer! Thanks so much for your site.
There were samples sent out for a seventh Armagnac distillery but it doesn’t appear to have been bottled
Hi Elias!
They just released the A8. Any ideas on who that is?
Hey Steph! I’m being told that A8 is Domaine de Cavaillon. I’ve just added it to the list. Cheers!
Thanks again Elias! Appreciate all the help.
A few distilleries to add to this awesome list
155 Milk & Honey
154 Mosgaard
153 Thy Whisky
I’ve added 153 (Thy Whisky), 154 (Mosgaard), and 155 (Milk & Honey) to the list. Thanks and cheers!
New one, 156: Glasgow (Peated)
156 has been added to the list. Thanks!
Excellent list. G16 is The Glasgow Distillery.
I’ve added G16 to the list. Thanks for the tip!