Alternatives to r/scotchswap

r/scotchswap is banned. When we checked on 7 November 2026, Reddit showed that the subreddit was banned for violating Reddit’s policy against transactions involving prohibited goods or services (alcohol). People had used it for peer-to-peer Scotch and whisky sample swaps. We know of no official Reddit successor, and open whisky communities are discussion boards — not swap desks. The destinations below cover reviews and recommendations. Read each community’s rules, and follow local law.

Status check

Banned for violating Reddit’s policy against transactions involving prohibited goods or services — Reddit shows a ban notice; nobody can view or post.
Live community page (www.reddit.com): r/ScotchSwap is banned — This subreddit was banned due to a violation of Reddit’s policy against transactions involving prohibited goods or services. Checked 2026-11-07.
Public report (www.reddit.com): r/bourbon thread "ScotchSwap Replacement" from drinkers asking where sample swapping moved after the ban.
Official successor: none that we know of.

Communities to try instead

r/Scotch

Good for: Closest open match for Scotch reviews, tasting notes and recommendations without sample shipping.

Access: open

Rules to know: No low-effort posts or memes. Reviews need substance. No self-promotion beyond allowed review links. Check the weekly discussion thread for casual questions.

Checked 2026-11-07 · Current rules

r/bourbon

Good for: American whisky discussion with similar review culture — useful when the swap interest was broader whisky tasting, not only Scotch.

Access: open

Rules to know: No allocation mania. Bottle suggestions belong in the weekly sticky. Don’t yuck people’s yums. Follow review photo rules.

Checked 2026-11-07 · Current rules

r/cocktails

Good for: Whisky cocktails and technique when you want to use bottles rather than trade samples.

Access: open

Rules to know: Include a full recipe when posting drinks you made. Posts should invite discussion. Follow the live sidebar.

Checked 2026-11-07 · Current rules

r/firewater

Good for: Home distillation technique discussion — only when the interest is making spirits, not swapping commercial bottles. Strictly not a sales board.

Access: open

Rules to know: No illegal solicitation or sale of goods. Follow the live rules for technique posts. Local law on distillation varies widely — this is not legal advice.

Checked 2026-11-07 · Current rules

Looks similar, but not a fit

r/beertrade — Also banned under the same alcohol-transaction policy — not a usable destination. (checked 2026-11-07)
r/cigarmarket — Also banned under the prohibited-goods transaction policy — not a whisky-trading workaround. (checked 2026-11-07)

Reddit’s content policy still prohibits facilitating private alcohol transactions. None of these communities is a sample-swap replacement. Distillation and alcohol shipping laws vary — follow local law. Statuses come from the live community page on the check date; Reddit can lift or change a ban at any time. Updated 2026-11-07.