The Scotch Malt Whisky Society - The Vaults

As the oldest building in Scotland with the same continual purpose, the site of The Vaults has been home to fine drink, food specialists and pleasurable pursuits since the 1300s.

Situated above four medieval vaults, it has housed Edinburgh’s wine and spirits merchants and ‘fleshers’ (skilled butchers), the Vintner’s Guild auction rooms as well as leisure rooms, including a 16th century ‘caich pule’ for ‘a game of chases’ (indoor tennis).

Today, tradition continues, as the underground vaults still store fine wines and the building is the ’Spiritual Home’ of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society - the world’s foremost malt whisky club.

Society members, guests and even Royalty, travel from around the globe to this exclusive whisky destination and while Society members enjoy exclusive benefits, visitors have the rare privilege to sample limited edition single cask whiskies in entertaining private whisky tastings with delicious seasonal menus in two function suites.

Visitors assemble on the cobble stones of the Vaults ‘secret garden’ before embarking up the stairs and through unassuming doors to discover the hum of a grand Members’ lounge, which provides the perfect background to an authentically Scottish experience for guests indulging in their private function rooms.

The Cask Room celebrates the history and continued role of The Vaults building. Once a storage room for fine casks of wine and spirits, it now welcomes up to 32 guests who can admire the rare collection of cask samples and whisky artefacts as they indulge in this discreet space.

The Tasting Room continues to host the Society's secret Tasting Panel sessions, which approve only the highest quality whiskies for Society Members. The antique mahogany table and chairs cater for up to 14 guests within an authentically Scottish atmosphere, complimented by the original ‘uisge cupboard’ of the 17th century proprietor, Mr J.G. Thomson.