Update: September 2025
I’m still a member of The Whisky Club and it continues to be excellent. The curation is strong, the monthly bottles regularly introduce interesting and well-priced releases, and the community and member events add real value. I still use it to discover new favourites and to buy standout gifts.
The Challenge of Choosing Whisky
Unbeknownst to some, I’m an avid brewer and whisky enthusiast in addition to working in programming and music. Finding the right whisky can be a challenge. The world of whisky is intricate and exciting, and it can be intimidating for newcomers.
It’s hard to know what the difference is between a $50 bottle and a $200 bottle. Sometimes the price is justified, but often it’s marketing and hype. There are many excellent whiskies that cost less than $100.
Then you have peated vs unpeated, single malt vs blended, cask strength vs standard, bourbon vs rye, and so on. The terminology can be overwhelming.
My Discovery of The Whisky Club
Before I joined The Whisky Club, I kept seeing ads for it in my Facebook feed and ignored them at first. Those ads are probably how many people discover the service.
I enjoy a good dram, but I don’t claim to be an expert. Early on I chose bottles based on price, brand and label. There are so many whiskies that price is often a poor guide; many of my favourites cost less than $100.
What is The Whisky Club?
If you’re not familiar with The Whisky Club, they describe themselves as “Australia’s biggest whisky subscription club.” Think of it as Netflix for whisky, with curated selections and one showcased bottle each month.
Using their subscriber base, The Whisky Club brokers deals with distilleries to secure interesting bottles for members. Each month they feature one whisky and you can order a single bottle or double-up. The selections include single malts, unique blends and other standouts.
My Experience as a Member
I joined in December 2020 and my collection has grown steadily since then. It can take a while to finish a bottle, but whisky keeps well when stored properly.
At the time of writing the featured bottle is Lark Rising Tide. Lark is a respected Australian distillery and the July 2022 release is a very good dram for subscribers. Some months the selection is special enough that it’s worth doubling up, subject to allocation.
How It Works
The ordering process is straightforward. If a month’s bottle doesn’t appeal, you can opt out; otherwise they’ll assume you want it. There are no contracts and no lock-ins. They also offer optional add-ins, which sometimes include previous releases or special bottles.
Pricing and Value
Price-wise, a typical bottle works out to about $130 on average, though some bottles are worth more and special add-ins can cost significantly more. They also run virtual tastings and maintain an active community. I haven’t used all the member benefits, but the experience feels more personal than many subscription boxes.
Why I’ve Stayed a Member
I planned to try the club for a month, but nearly two years later I’m still a member. It’s convenient not to wander supermarket aisles looking for something new, and I often buy bottles from the club as gifts for birthdays and other occasions.
Recently, our dog went missing and was returned by kind neighbours; we thanked them with a bottle of Lark Rising Tide from the July 2022 release. I liked the bottle enough to order a replacement for myself. It’s handy to have a spare bottle on hand.
Final Thoughts
With the rising cost of living, a subscription like this can be hard to justify every month. Still, it is a good way to discover new whiskies or find a great gift. You can cancel or pause your subscription after the first delivery.
If you sign up using my referral link (https://thewhiskyclub.com.au/referral/share/action/?twc_referred_by=3575), we both get a free bottle. The exact bottle depends on availability, but if you were planning to join anyway, free whisky is a nice bonus.