It has been suggested to me on more than one occasion that I should consider starting a whisky or wine club. Although I have never pursued such an endeavor it does provide some great opportunities for those who would like to do so. For example, it allows you to try more whiskies or wines than you could reasonably otherwise source.

It is beneficial to be somewhat knowledgeable about wine or whisky, but it is not absolutely necessary. More importantly, a club president should be an active listener and helpful when it comes to leading a group towards a consensus on the flavour profile of a wine or spirit.

To assist those of you who would like to consider organizing an enthusiastic group of wine or whisky lovers, I have put together a list of recommendations from a few experts to help get you started.

First, understanding the basics of how whisky or wine is made and the fundamental differences between styles is somewhat essential to starting a club. There are many resources you can access at no cost to assist you.

Begin with a small group, no more than ten people. This will help in spreading the cost of the whiskies or wines that you will be sampling.

Find a restaurant with a decent selection of wine or single malts, a good pub, or best yet, a specialist whisky or wine bar, and talk to them about a partnership. If you offer to bring in a group of enthusiastic wine or whisky drinkers on a quiet night on a regular basis, they may be willing to offer you space and may even let you provide some of the selections.

It is a good idea to have a theme for every meeting. This will help your members orient themselves when tasting a wine or whisky and give them something to focus on when thinking about how one selection differs from others tried during the session.

If asked, you may be surprised to learn that your favourite distillers or wineries may be willing to assist in some way. Don’t be afraid to write to your favourite brands, introduce yourself and let them know well in advance of any tastings you are planning. They may agree to support you in some way.

Your club or society should meet regularly, either monthly or bimonthly. This makes managing venues and attendance much easier.

Social media, such as a Facebook group, will enable club members to get more involved, offering opinions and suggestions for future tastings. It relieves you of the pressure of having to come up with all the new ideas.

If you decide that a spirit enthusiasts club is the thing for you, there are additional things you may need to consider such as membership fees and financing, advertising, guest speakers and educators, any liquor control requirements, etc.

Ultimately, whether your club has three or thirty members, it is a venture that can provide much pleasure and banter.

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