SMWS owner sees 20% membership boost
After its full-year sales plunged by double digits, the Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC) has reported a ‘solid start’ to 2026 with the US and China boosting membership numbers.
The ASC, which is behind global membership club the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), released a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting (AGM) today (19 May).
In March, ASC reported a full-year (FY) revenue drop of 17.5% for 2025 after major disruption in the US.
The new trading update said the business had seen growth in cask sales and revenue improvements in the US and China, which have helped to offset a ‘slower start’ in Europe.
Global new membership sales have increased by just over 20% in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. ASC noted ‘particularly strong growth’ in the US and China.
Trading for SMWS America is also up by single digits in the year to date, following ‘positive momentum’ in the fourth quarter of 2025. Sales for the division were led by ‘strong recruitment performance’ (up by more than 30%) and single-digit membership growth for the early months of this year.
Andrew Dane, CEO of ASC, said: “While macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges clearly remain, we are pleased to have delivered some positive momentum into FY26, most notably the impact of our three key areas of strategic focus for FY25, namely: our work on the core SMWS proposition and marketing driving strong recruitment figures, the focus on the US market yielding positive results, and our launch of Artisan Casks starting to deliver meaningful contribution to the group.”
Last month, ASC announced that its chair Mark Hunter will step back from the business due to health reasons. In the interim, deputy chair Paul Skipworth took on the position from today until a permanent successor is appointed.
Dane thanked Hunter for leading the group over the last five years, supporting more than 50% growth in revenue and membership since the initial public offering in June 2021.
In addition, Gavin Hewitt has also decided to retire as a director of the company at the AGM after more than 11 years.
Dane added: “We are indebted to Gavin Hewitt for his significant contribution to the whisky leadership, insight and focus that he has brought to the group for over a decade. They both leave the business in good shape with a lasting legacy, for which we are sincerely grateful.”
The ASC’s CEO recently noted “significant opportunities” for growth in the ultra-premium whisky market in the US.
Related news
SMWS owner bets on ultra-premium whisky in US
