ABOUT THE SOCIETY
Ready for a whisky adventure like no other? Join Drummond MacDougall's Single Malt Society and embark on an extraordinary journey through the world of single malt scotch whisky.
“I founded the club to make new friends, drink great scotch, and have fun doing it."
~Kirk Figus, Club Founder
IN EARLY 2009, Kirk Figus was looking for a new hobby and decided to join a scotch club, having developed a casual interest in single malt scotch. There was just one problem — he couldn't find one to join.
After deciding to try to start his own club, he went about recruiting a small group of like-minded adventurers to join him in exploring the many wonders of scotch whisky.
Nine months later, the Single Malt Society was launched with seventeen members brave enough to join a a club that didn't yet exist. The club started to catch on, and one thing led to another. We've continued to add new scotch lovers along the way as we've grown to become one of the largest scotch clubs in the country.
Kirk has now created almost 100 themed tasting events featuring his custom-curated bottle lineups sourced locally, out-of-state, and even from overseas.
As we enter our fifteenth year, Kirk's mission remains unchanged—to create a fun and informal setting to explore single malts, without the snootiness often associated with a wine or spirits tasting group. Members of any experience level are welcome to join the club, whether newbies or long-time malt maniacs, and we all learn a little something new along the way.
After sampling over 500 different whiskies from more than 100 different brands or distilleries, (and making many new friends along the way), we're looking forward to uncorking all the bottles we haven't yet discovered.
“Amazing presentation, great scotch."
"Amazing presentation, great scotch. Kirk nailed it. His passion and knowledge made me excited to learn more." ~Jemal S.
"Kirk did a great job of initiating us into the world of scotch. I learned quite a bit, and enjoyed the presentation." ~Jason E.
"I didn't know how much I didn't know about scotch. Kirk is an awesome teacher — the [session] was enjoyable and entertaining. I learned so much, I can't help telling everyone about it. I'm feeling much more sophisticated already." ~Lori D.
“After attending I feel I could confidently order a scotch at most restaurants and not feel like an idiot. The presentation was perfect — interesting, and educational. I would definitely recommend this." ~Jessica E.
Now one of the largest scotch clubs in the country, the Single Malt Society offers a fun and informal environment, never snooty or pretentious. So whether you're a seasoned veteran or just getting started on your scotch adventures, there's a place for you in the club.
Notable Society Milestones
ORIGINAL WEBSITE
The Society started in November, 2009, with little more than a new website and the hope we could round up a few scotch lovers.
LET'S LEARN SOMETHING!
In 2011, sessions started including brief segments of "Scotch 101," focusing on the science, legends, and lore of scotch whisky.
A NEW HOME!
In 2014, the Society moved our sessions to the spacious meeting room in Clayton's legendary Cheshire Inn.
OUR FIRST PILGRIMAGE!
2017 saw our first club trip to Scotland! We visited distilleries, castles, cathedrals, and more. We organized a second jaunt in 2023.
A LITTLE MORE RECOGNITION!
In 2021, we were featured in the international spirits blog Inside the Cask, as part of an ongoing series focused on scotch clubs.
ORIGINAL LOGO
The original club logo featured our club "founder" Drummond MacDougall, and an old-timey looking typeface.
NO SCOTCH AT ALL!
It was unprecedented, and—some said—SCANDALOUS! In 2012, we sampled a lineup of bottles that were NOT crafted in Scotland.
LUCK OF THE IRISH!
2014 saw the first of our Bonus Sessions devoted to fine whiskey from Scotland's next-door neighbors in Ireland.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!
It was hard to believe, but a full decade had passed since the club first launched in 2009 with our 17 charter members.
FIRST VIRTUAL SESSION!
In 2020, Covid forced a halt in operations, leading to our first Virtual Session Kits, adding a little fun to a rather bleak period.
MAKING "HISTORY"
In 2010, we offered an alternate universe history of the Society's eponymous founder. Click on the TV set to be enlightened.
NO PEEKING ALLOWED!
2012 brought the first of our Blind Tastings. At these humbling events, we're given tasting notes and have to guess what we're tasting.
SCOTCH 101 CLASSES!
In 2015, we started offering our Scotch 101 and Blended Scotch 101 presentations to the public at special class venues.
DRUMMOND REBORN!
In 2019, to mark our 10th Anniversary we decided to give Drummond a makeover with an updated look for the Society logo.
DESSERT WITH SCOTCH?
We'd heard of whisky and cheese pairings — so why not chocolate? 2021's Chocolate Fest featured delicious handcrafted bon-bons.
GIVE PEATS A CHANCE!
2010 saw our first annual Bonus Session devoted to the wonders of heavily-peated scotch, which has been a sell-out every year.
TOP HATS AND TIARAS!
In 2013 we launched the first of our annual "Putting on the Ritz" Bonus Sessions, featuring a lineup of VERY expensive malts.
INDEPENDENCE DAY!
We normally offer official distillery releases, but at this 2015 session we featured independent bottlings.
GOING BACK IN TIME!
Newer members hadn't sampled some classic bottles from past years
—but 2019's new Scotch Archaeology sessions solved that.
ANOTHER NEW HOME!
In-person meetings resumed in 2022 for the first time since the Covid out-break, and we found a new home at the Marriot St. Louis West Hotel.
A TRADITION BEGINS!
In 2010 we began what has become a Society tradition—our bi-annual exploration of fine blended scotch whiskies.
GLENCAIRN ERA BEGINS!
In 2013, the Society quit using oversized wine glasses, and bought 200 Glencairn glasses to allow us to sample our drams properly.
WE LOOK TO THE EAST!
We'd dabbled in Japanese whiskies on occasion, but 2016 saw our first Bonus Session devoted to these fine drams.
A LITTLE RECOGNITION!
In 2020, we were featured in a nationally-distributed special edition of Whisky Advocate Magazine featuring scotch clubs.
A BIG MILESTONE!
It took 14 years, but in 2023 the club sampled our 500th different bottle. There's no telling how many more we'll sample before we're done.