Whisky Society

Napier Whisky Society meets every fortnight for whisky tastings in Merchiston Tower boardroom - the very same atmospheric 16th Century tower in which John Napier created the logarithm - and many is the student who has begun speaking in logarithms by the end of a meeting!

We are well known in the university for being one of the most welcoming, active and exciting clubs around. With the help of five bottles of the good drink at every meeting, we educate, enthral and entertain Napier’s “whisky students” as we attempt as a group to define their flavours, complexities and hidden subtleties in what normally degenerates to some frankly bizarre analogies, the usual ramblings and drunken rants, and a lot of fun had by all. Some of the tastings start-off themed, some of them less so; there’s also a friendly whisky tasting competition with Edinburgh University in the Spring and the bonus of at least four group trips as well as social nights with other societies.

This year we plan to make a one-day trip to Bladnoch Distillery in Galloway, and longer stays away to our annual fixtures of the enchanting Isle of Islay, the notorious Spirit of Speyside festival, and our first international excursion to the winter wonderland of Mackmyra distillery in Sweden. We normally have a guest-hosted master-class at some point in the year and have a reputation within the university for being a really great way of meeting new friends and easing your way into university life.

Every year we welcome members ranging in whisky knowledge from total newbies to drinks industry experts. We also have a huge mature and international student following. Come and join us - and discover the true meaning of uisge beatha - the water of life.