Where rare bottles, good stories & great company meet. Join us in discovering the uncommon.
Embedded Files
Founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia, we celebrate quality spirits through exceptional, curated tastings that bring together appreciation, education, & thoughtful explorations of craftsmanship, history, & culture.
23
members
656
Drams poured
448
PowerPoint slides
9
events in 2025
We dram a bit... differently
Our gatherings are shaped as much by ideas as by technique. How a whisky is made matters—but it is only one part of the story. Presentations draw on literature, cinema, science, geography, advertising, or social history—using whisky as both subject and lens. The technical details are there, but always in service of a broader idea.
Upcoming events
Burns Night with
IPAC NS
Mon, Jan 26 2026 • 6pm • Register
Whisky & literature: Homer's Odyssey
Thu, Feb 26 2026 • 7pm
Uncut & Unfiltered: Independent Bottlers
Thu, Mar 26 2026 • 7pm
Selling the dram:
Whisky in Advertising
Thu, Apr 30 2026 • 7pm
For Peat's Sake:
Ardbeggeddon 2026
Thu, May 28 2026 • 7pm
The science of flavour:
A chemistry deep dive
Thu, Jun 25 2026 • 7pm
Whiskies of the world
Thu, Sep 24 2026 • 7pm
Whisky in Cinema 2.0
Thu, Oct 29 2026 • 7pm
Rare birds: A field guide to feathered labels
Thu, Nov 26 2026 • 7pm
Top drams & leaderboard
Whisky Pts*
------------------------------ -----
Octomore 14.1 86.3
Springbank 10 85.0
Ardbeg Anamorphic 83.0
Longrow Peated 82.0
Port Charlotte 10 80.0
Nikka Yoichi Single Malt 80.0
Kilchoman Sanaig 77.5
Connemara Distillers Edition 76.0
Amrut Fusion Single Malt 74.6
Kilkerran 12 74.0
Ardbeg Uigeadail 73.0
Bruichladdich Laddie 8 72.0
Hibiki Japanese Harmony 71.5
Redbreast 12 70.8
Macallan 12 Double Cask 70.8
Glenallachie 12 70.0
Ardbeg Spectacular 69.0
Ardbeg 10 68.0
Talisker 10 68.0
Campbeltown Loch 68.0
Deanston 12 67.0
Glen Scotia Double Cask 66.0
Teeling Single Pot Still 66.0
Ardbeg Wee Beastie 65.0
Lochlea Our Barley 64.0
Omar Single Malt 63.8
Bushmills 16 60.2
Penderyn Sherrywood 59.2
Edradour 2013 58.0
Glendalough 7 Mizunara 58.0
Baller Single Malt 55.4
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 53.8
Auchentoshan 12 52.0
Johnnie Walker Black Label 46.2
Canadian Club 23.1
*Club rating
100 pts - Perfection, nothing better
90 pts - Exceptional, a memorable dram
80 pts - Excellent, well above most whiskies
70 pts - Great, I would seek this out
60 pts - Good, dependable with minor flaws
50 pts - Okay, roughly average with a few issues
40 pts - Alright, flawed but still acceptable
30 pts - Acceptable -- I would accept a pour but never order
20 pts - Passable, deeply flawed, probably intended as a mixer
10 pts - Undrinkable
Camera roll
Past events & presentations
The Emerald Isle
2025.12.04 - Presentation
Whisky in Cinema
2025.10.23 - Download presentation
Grain to glass
2025.09.25 | Download presentation
Whiskies of the world 2025.06.26 | Download presentation
Ardbeggeddon
2025.05.29
Campbeltown revival
2025.04.24 | Download presentation
Glenmorangie x Stillwell
2025.04.11
The Whisky Regions
2025.03.27 | Download presentation
Bruichladdich deep dive
2025.02.27 | Download presentation
Club library
(liquid assets)
Our shared library grows with each gathering, capturing the club’s evolving tastes and explorations.
Whisky alc Wbase Opened ml left
------------------------------------ ------- ------ -------------- -------
Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky 50.0% 84.0 June 26 400
Annandale Man O'Words 46.0% 81.7 2026 700
Ardbeg 10 46.0% 86.1 N/A 750
Ardbeg Uigeadail 54.2% 88.7 N/A 750
Auchentoshan 12 40.0% 78.2 Mar 27 375
Baller American Single Malt 47.0% 80.6 June 26 300
Benriach The Twelve 46.0% 83.5 N/A 700
Benromach Peat Smoke 2014 46.0% 86.6 N/A 700
Bruichladdich Laddie 8 50.0% 83.0 Feb 27 425
Bunnahabhain Cruach-Mhòna 50.0% 84.7 N/A 1000
Canadian Club 40.0% 66.3 October 23 350
CRN57° 12 Year Old Blended Malt 43.0% 84.0 N/A 700
Deanston 12 46.3% 84.2 Mar 27 425
Edradour 2013 46.0% 86.5 September 25 320
G&M Mortlach Distillery Labels 15 46.0% 86.4 N/A 700
Garryana Westland ASM 50.0% 86.1 September 25 400
Glenglassaugh Sandend 50.5% 84.5 N/A 700
Glen Scotia Double Cask 46.0% 83.4 April 24 375
Glenmorangie 10 40.0% 80.0 April 24 150
Glenmorangie 12 40.0% 84.2 N/A 750
Glenmorangie 12 LaSanta 43.0% 83.3 N/A 750
Glenmorangie 14 Quinta Ruban 46.0% 83.1 N/A 750
Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 40.0% 66.8 October 23 350
Johnnie Walker Black Label 12 YO 40.0% 75.8 October 23 350
Kilchoman Sanaig Islay 46.0% 85.1 September 25 320
Kilkerran 12 46.0% 86.3 April 24 375
LeDaig 10 46.3% 83.6 N/A 700
Lochlea Our Barley Single Malt 46.0% 82.3 September 25 300
Longrow Peated 46.0% 84.5 April 24 375
Machrie Moor Cask Strength 58.0% 85.9 N/A 700
Meikle Toir Sherry 48.0% 84.6 N/A 700
Nikka Whisky Yoichi Single Malt 45.0% 83.8 June 26 400
Omar Single Malt 46.0% 81.3 June 26 375
Penderyn Single Malt Sherrywood 46.0% 79.4 June 26 350
Port Charlotte 10 50.0% 86.4 Feb 27 425
Springbank 10 46.0% 86.9 September 25 320
Suntory Hibiki 43.0% 83.0 October 23 350
Talisker 10 45.8% 84.1 Mar 27 425
------------------------------------ ------- ------ -------------- -------
Total 19,680
Inventory & volume
------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottles on hand 38
Total volume 19.68 L
Approx. drams (25 ml) 787
Bottles killed 16
Estimated collection value $2,659
Inventory & volume
------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottles on hand 38
Total volume 19.3 L
Approx. drams (25 ml) 771
Bottles killed 16
Estimated collection value $2,659
Club ratings (internal)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Mean score 67.3
Median score 68.0
Standard deviation 12.3
Highest club rating 86.3 (Octomore 14.1)
Lowest club rating 23.1 (Canadian Club)
Whiskybase (Wbase)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Average Wbase score 83.4
Highest Wbase score Ardbeg Uigeadail
Philosophy & membership
Philosophy & membership
Our approach
The Commons exists to do three things well: (a) Host exceptional tastings; (b) Pool resources to access hard-to-find bottles; and (c) foster fellowship through shared discovery and good humour.
We meet monthly, and host a growing library of bottles. Presentations draw from literature, cinema, science, geography, culture, or social history—using whisky as both subject and lens. Technical detail is present, but always in service of a broader idea.
Each gathering is an opportunity to learn about whisky and to leave more informed.
Membership
Members participate in the majority of gatherings and contribute actively to discussion; provide input into thematic planning and present at least once annually.
Regular tastings are held on the last Thursday of the month, from 7:00 pm to approximately 9:30 pm.
Benefits
Members-only access to events & experiences
Curated programming & masterclasses
Early registration window for tastings
Tastefully selected food pairings with each dram
Invitations to exclusive brand ambassador events
Access to a private library of hard-to-source drams
A special dram on your birthday
Bottle alerts & travel finds
Camaraderie, conversation, and good cheer
New members are considered based on enthusiasm for whisky, a base level of knowledge, alignment with the club’s values, and potential for contribution to future gatherings.
Prospective members are expected to attend at least three gatherings as a guest before becoming eligible for membership.
Membership is currently full, but new spots open each year. To join the waitlist, email commonswhisky@gmail.com
Founded in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and inspired by its beloved Common (singular, technically — but we prefer the local lingo), we celebrate quality spirits through exceptional, curated tastings that bring together appreciation, education, & thoughtful explorations of craftsmanship, history, & culture. © 2026 The Commons Scotch Whisky Society.
Contact: commonswhisky@gmail.com
Google Sites
Report abuse