MEETINGS

DRESS CODE: Collared shirt or sport jacket required. Shorts and open-toed shoes are discouraged but not prohibited.

TASTING MEETINGS: The price for each Tasting Meeting is set by that meeting’s Primary Gentleman; those funds are used by the PG to procure a number of whiskies to be blind-tasted by the group (as well as other accoutrements, e.g. snacks). In addition, attendees may freely sample from the Reserves.  Tasting Meetings usually have a maximum attendance limit of 15 people. After a Tasting Meeting, all unfinished new whiskies go into the Reserves.

RESERVES MEETINGS: Reserves Meetings occur randomly, and are open to full Members only. There is no fee, no theme, no expectations or rules, and the Reserves may be sampled from freely. There is no maximum attendance limit.

PRIMARY GENTLEMAN: Each meeting will be organized, prepared, conducted, recorded, and followed-up upon by the Primary Gentleman. For each meeting, the Primary Gentleman designates a per-attendee fee (no maximum or minimum, typically $40-$80). There must be a theme that increases attendee’s knowledge and deepens their experience of whisky. Please do not randomly select bottles or duplicate things we've already tasted.

The position of Primary Gentleman rotates each meeting. Any current member in good standing may elect to serve as Primary Gentleman, and may reserve a future month’s meeting at any point. There is no requirement to serve as Primary Gentleman; the position is voluntary.

TASTING NOTES: At Tasting Meetings, each member shall be responsible for recording his own tasting notes (not required, but encouraged). There are no specific content requirements, except that each whiskey shall be given a letter grade as described in the ratings guide.  Entering of whiskey ratings/notes into the website is encouraged.

 

In addition, members may post their own tasting notes for any new whisky they have tried, or for any already-posted whisky. This may be done at any time.

 

MEETING RESERVATIONS: When not enough seats are available to accommodate all those requesting attendance to a Tasting Meeting, priority is given in the following way: 1) Founding Members (original 10 members), 2) Members, 3) Alternates. Within those categories, preference is on a first-RSVP-first-served basis. Reasonable cutoff dates prevent those with higher status from stalling an undue amount of time to commit to attendance.

Important: once any person has reserved a seat for a meeting, they are monetarily responsible for that seat if they “bail,” unless that seat can be filled.

RESERVES: Whisky in the Society Reserves is fully available any time there are 6 or more Members present. Generally, if there are 3 or more members present, small and limited samples of the reserves may be made with good discretion.

MEMBERSHIP AND ALTERNATES

YEARLY DUES: [Dues are currently suspended] Members shall make once-yearly “dues” contributions to the society. Yearly Dues cover operating costs such as website hosting/maintenance/upgrades, and miscellaneous expenses such as bar supplies and cleanup costs.

 

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: To maintain Member status, a member must pay Yearly Dues and attend a reasonable number of meetings per year. Presumably, if a member becomes delinquent in attendance, that member no longer has an interest in being in the club anyway.

 

ALTERNATES: Any current Member in good standing may “sponsor” an Alternate.  After their first meeting, Alternates may request a personal login/password for the website which allows them partial access to the Members’ Area.

 

BECOMING A MEMBER: When an “alternate” receives an invitation to their 4th meeting, they become a full “Member.” To complete their membership, new Members must donate a bottle of whisky to the Reserves (min. value $100).  Complete access to the website Members’ Area is granted upon full membership.

 

WEBSITE PARTICIPATION: There is no requirement to participate in the website. However, all Members are encouraged to submit content, notes, reviews, and so forth.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

"DRAM": This word shall never be used for reasons never to be discussed.

 

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE RULES SHALL RESULT IN CENSURE.