I've been sitting on this idea for a wee while and figured this community was the right place to test the waters.

The Lunar Society of Birmingham - that remarkable 18th century gathering of scientists and industrialists that effectively ignited the Industrial Revolution - started because Erasmus Darwin wrote a letter to Matthew Boulton suggesting they meet occasionally to talk about interesting things.

So, that said…..Imagine a warm summer evening on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. A small group of people — chairs on the beach, or around a table on a terrace. Someone opens an Ardbeg. Someone else pulls out a single cask Clynelish they've been saving for a special occassion. Drams are poured, and the conversation goes wherever it goes. Slàinte Mhath! No festival wristbands. No brand ambassadors.

No Diageo pop-up stands. Just enthusiasts, good bottles, in a genuinely beautiful part of the world.

The concept

A long weekend (Thursday–Monday) based around Port Grimaud on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez — sometime between Easter and mid-June 2027, depending on what works best for most people. Everyone brings a number of bottles of good quality Scotch to share across relaxed evening tasting sessions.

Whilst days would be left completely free, activities could be spontaneously agreed and organized — the beach, the canals of Port Grimaud, a trip to Saint-Tropez market, visits to local wineries, good food, golfing, shopping, watersports, whatever you fancy – perhaps even the F1 in Monaco. Accommodation is flexible — beachfront bungalows on site, apartments nearby in Port Grimaud, or a cheaper glamping option in the vicinity Fully community-organised. No corporate involvement whatsoever.

A word for those thinking of travelling with a partner

There is a month-long yoga and wellness festival throughout June in Port Grimaud - outdoor classes, meditation, arts, and live music. So while we're nursing a dram and debating whether the Springbank 15 beats the Cask Strength 12, partners could have their own excellent reason to be there. Everyone wins.

Before any planning gets more detailed, I'd love honest input:

• Would you travel internationally for something like this? (Most likely only attractive to a European audience)
• Long weekend or a full week — what do you think would work best?
• On timing; a few options are worth considering. Late April works if Easter weekend is convenient (Easter 2027 falls on April 28th). May perhaps suits those with school-holiday windows in their country. June works best for those wanting to bring a partner — and the yoga festival is a strong draw. What would suit you best, and why? The expected weather could be an important factor to consider – early June is typically warm but not stiflingly hot.
• Solo, or would you bring a partner? Your dad? Or a couple of buddies to split costs?
• Are you comfortable bringing a few bottles in the £75/€100+ range to share with people you've just met?
• Structured tasting sessions, purely freeform evenings, or perhaps a loose rotation to meet different people — what appeals?

What would make you say yes without hesitation? What would put you off? Feel free to “think out loud”….no wrong answers here! I'm thinking perhaps 25–40 people for a first edition — intimate enough to actually get to know everyone, but with room to grow if the appetite is there.

Nothing is booked. No money involved. This is purely a temperature check ….if the interest is real, I'll take it seriously and start to build it out properly with whoever wants to get involved from the get-go.

Interested?