The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has announced the launch of a new blind tasting competition, with the aim of finding Europe’s best whisky taster.

Caskmaster 2026, which is the Society’s first UK blind whisky tasting championship, follows the success of a similar competition run by SMWS Australia. Open to both members and non-members, the competition will challenge participants to identify eight whiskies from a curated line-up of nine using only their nose and palate.

Four qualifying heats will take place across the Society’s UK Members’ Rooms during August and September, with the top five tasters from each heat progressing to the Grand Final at The Vaults in Leith, Edinburgh, on Thursday November 12th.

Competitors will have 30 minutes to nose and taste eight carefully selected Society drams before identifying each one from a line-up of nine. No discussion or collaboration is permitted. The five highest-scoring competitors from each heat will be announced on the night and will secure their place in the Grand Final.

Each £50 ticket includes the eight drams and a Society supper. There is no additional charge for finalists to attend the Grand Final, while qualifiers from the London heat will also have their travel and accommodation to Edinburgh covered.

The inaugural Caskmaster champion will earn the title of Europe’s best whisky taster, alongside lifetime membership of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society and one of just 14 places on The Speysider – an exclusive four-day whisky retreat in Speyside, taking place from March 12th–15th 2027.

Qualifying heats will take place at:

The Vaults, Leith – Wednesday August 12th
Queen Street, Edinburgh – Wednesday August 19th
Bath Street, Glasgow – Wednesday August 26th
19 Greville Street, London – Wednesday September 2nd

Commenting on the launch, Calum Lawson, Member Experience Manager at The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said: “At the Society, we’ve always believed that flavour should do the talking. Caskmaster puts that philosophy to the ultimate test. This is whisky as it should be – shared, debated and enjoyed – but with a healthy dose of competition thrown in. It’s a rare opportunity to test your palate against like-minded people and, for one champion, walk away with a prize that will last a lifetime.”

Full details and tickets for SMWS Caskmaster 2026 are now available via: smws.com.