A CLACKS group who have raised thousands of pounds for local charities through their love of whisky were able to meet in person for the first time recently.

The Wee County Malt Whisky Society, which was formed in November 2020 by Gus Rennie and Gordon Guthrie, held its first ever in-person tasting event at Sauchie Juniors' Beechwood Stadium on Friday, December 3.

As with all the group's events, this live tasting raised money for a good cause in the Wee County, with Gus and Gordon able to purchase more than £500 worth of food for The Gate.

Gus told the Advertiser: "It was great, everybody loved the atmosphere of the night."

Bottles were supplied by Morrison Distillers featuring Old Perth and Mac Talla.

Gus continued: "Everybody got individual bottles of whisky and a bar of tablet from Ochil Fudge Company.

"It went down very, very well. We had a half time break where Gordon made haggis, neeps and potato pies and mince pies too.

"It was a great night. Really, really good."

Back in that first month, the group celebrated having 25 members however now they have close to 250 from all over the world and welcomed some of those members for the inaugural tasting event in person.

Looking over the group's growth, Gus said: "It's absolutely phenomenal and the people in the group are so nice and they're so charitable."

Gordon added: "It was amazing, such a difference seeing people tasting things and their expressions. You can't get that online.

"It was very well received."

Money raised by the tasting event means the group have now raised more than £2,000 for charities across the Wee County.

A little bit of extra money was raised via a coin toss competition, with Sauchie Juniors manager Fraser Duncan winning a rare bottle of Glengoyne from Gus's personal collection.

The gaffer, however, was kind enough to open the bottle on the night and allow everyone to have a taste of it.

Reflecting on the past year, Gordon continued: "I'm thrilled to bits that the group has grown. At the start me and Gus were deciding where the money went to but now the members dictate where it goes.

"As long as it stays local because that's the ethos of the group.

"That's why we started it, to be charitable in the Wee County."

Both Gordon and Gus also wished to thank Sauchie Juniors for their hospitality and their great efforts to ensure everyone was socially distanced and kept as safe as possible.

Search The Wee County Malt Whisky Society on Facebook for more information.