History of SymCorp – SymCorp | The Underground Whisky Club

The History of SymCorp

2017

The Spark That Started It All

The story of SymCorp began in 2017 with a simple but meaningful gesture. After hosting a group of friends for dinner, our founder, Damian, was gifted a Hulk statue as a thank-you. What began as a single collectible quickly became a passion. He started collecting smaller statues from the same range and soon became captivated by the world of premium collectibles. More importantly, he realized something powerful: everyone is a collector in their own way. Whether it is art, whisky, wine, watches, cars, or rare pieces with personal meaning, collecting is deeply connected to identity, passion and experience. That realization became the first seed of what would later grow into SymCorp.

2018

Discovering a New Standard of Luxury

In 2018, through the collecting community, our founder, Damian, was introduced to XM Studios, a world-renowned collectibles brand based in Singapore. He purchased his first XM Studios piece, the Lizard statue, inspired by his love for Spider-Man and the Spider-Man universe. From the moment the piece arrived, everything changed. The packaging, presentation, hand-painted detail, craftsmanship and overall luxury experience revealed an entirely new level within the collectibles industry. It was no longer just about owning a statue; it was about experiencing a brand, a story and a work of art. As an entrepreneur at heart, our founder, Damian, saw an opportunity to bring that same world-class experience to South Africa and, eventually, Southern Africa. With no official representation on the continent at the time, he contacted XM Studios with the vision of becoming their exclusive African distributor.

2019

The Launch of Symbiote Premium Collectibles

After months of communication, planning and calculated risk, our founder, Damian, committed everything he had to bringing XM Studios to Africa. On 14 February 2019, Symbiote Premium Collectibles was officially launched. The collecting community that had been built since 2017 became the foundation of the brand’s first loyal member base. The launch was deliberately kept under wraps until the day of announcement, creating anticipation, excitement and impact. What started as a passion project quickly became a life-changing business. Symbiote Premium Collectibles did not only introduce a new product category to South Africa; it introduced a new level of luxury experience, community and storytelling within the world of fine art collectibles.

2020

Refining the Vision Through Uncertainty

The year 2020 was a difficult period for many industries, especially the liquor industry, which was heavily affected. However, within that challenging time came an important opportunity to pause, reflect and refine the vision for the future. Rather than focusing only on product, the brand began placing even greater emphasis on people, relationships and the overall member experience. New friendships, partnerships and business relationships were formed, and the foundations of a more elevated luxury brand were carefully developed. In many ways, 2020 became a defining year for SymCorp. It reinforced the belief that true success is built not only through business, but through community, trust and meaningful human connection.

2021

The Underground Collectors Club

In 2021, as the world began returning to a sense of normality, the brand moved forward with renewed energy and purpose. The focus shifted from building a customer base to building a member base, a community of people who shared a love for collecting, luxury and unique experiences. During this time, the opportunity arose to open a dedicated gallery where these fine art collectibles could be showcased in a world-class environment. Together with Arnold, a close friend, mentor and creative collaborator, a spectacular space was designed with meticulous attention to detail. Every element was carefully considered, from the layout and atmosphere to the lighting, with different levels of warmth used to enhance each piece on display. On 27 November 2021, The Underground Collectors Club was officially launched. More than 300 guests attended the opening, and the event quickly gained attention on social media. It was a major milestone, a physical expression of belief, risk, passion and the desire to build an entirely new industry from the ground up.

2022

The Birth of The Underground Whisky Club

Having been involved in the family liquor business since 2009, our founder, Damian, began searching for a way to bring together two worlds: premium collectibles and luxury liquor. The connection became clear. In the liquor industry, luxury plays an essential role. High-end whisky, champagne, cognac, tequila and wine are not only products; they are experiences. They attract people who value craftsmanship, rarity, storytelling and connection. This led to the creation of Symbiote’s The Underground Whisky Club. The first official event was hosted on 25 March 2022 by Rowan Gibb, featuring Glendronach, Benriach and Woodford Reserve. The concept was unlike anything else in South Africa: a whisky club hosted in an underground gallery surrounded by premium statues, paired with fine dining and carefully curated whisky experiences. The response was immediate and powerful. In its first year, The Underground Whisky Club hosted 12 events and quickly became known as a first-of-its-kind private members’ experience. Four years later, that vision has grown into more than 50 events per year.

2023

The Year of Expansion, Luxury and Legacy

The number 23 has always held personal meaning for our founder, Damian, and from 1 January 2023, he made a promise that the year would become one of the most powerful and defining chapters in the brand’s history. With self-belief, support from leading brands and a clear vision for growth, Symbiote entered the year with three major developments in mind. The first was the launch of Symbiote’s The Underground Cellar Reserve in April 2023. Created after careful tasting and development with partners in the Swartland, the wine was designed to offer the look, feel and quality of a premium wine while remaining accessible to a wider audience. More than a wine, it became a brand awareness milestone, a way to introduce the Symbiote “S” logo into spaces associated with quality, lifestyle and luxury.

The second major development was the creation of The Archive Whisky Club. After a successful year of The Underground Whisky Club, it became clear that there was a growing demand for an even more exclusive, private and elevated experience. Looking at the empty space behind The Underground Whisky Club, our founder, Damian, saw more than an unused room, he saw the next step in the evolution of the brand. The Archive was born from a desire to bring true luxury, privacy and experience together in one unforgettable space. Despite doubt, criticism and resistance from many around him, our founder, Damian, trusted his instinct and committed to the vision. With the support of leading luxury liquor brands who believed in the dream, The Archive was brought to life.

The Archive was designed around three defining themes. The first is movement, represented by a marine reef fish tank that brings life and calm into the space. The second is inspired by Earth, Wind and Fire, expressed through stone, steel and wood, with each wall representing a different element. The third is a 1920s Art Deco influence, a return to elegance, sophistication and timeless luxury. While The Underground Whisky Club reflects a modern world of glass, marble and steel, The Archive slows time down, inviting members into a Gatsby-inspired setting where connection, conversation and experience take centre stage.

On 23 July 2023, The Archive Whisky Club officially launched as a high-end whisky cellar and cigar lounge. The space quickly gained attention and elevated Symbiote onto a larger stage, attracting the interest of both local and global luxury brands. With only 23 member lockers, the number once again became part of the story. Locker number 23 belongs to our founder, Damian, and is named “The Founder”, not only as a personal mark, but as a tribute to the film that helped shape his mindset in business. The lesson was simple: persistence, perseverance and vision will always matter. The Archive was created to connect the right brands with the right consumers, and to offer members a place where friendship, networking and world-class experiences could come together.

The third and final major milestone of 2023 was launched at 6pm on 31 December 2023: The Archive Single Cask Series, Symbiote’s first single cask South African whisky. It was the perfect closing moment to a year defined by bold ideas, calculated risks and promises kept. By the end of 2023, SymCorp had evolved from a passion for collecting into a luxury ecosystem built around community, craftsmanship, premium experiences and the belief that true legacy is created by those willing to take the leap.

2024

Expanding the Vision Nationally

As 2024 arrived, SymCorp entered a new chapter of momentum, responsibility and growth. With The Archive Whisky Club now established and The Underground Whisky Club continuing to thrive, the focus was on doing what had always been at the heart of the brand: looking after members, hosting unforgettable experiences and creating moments that people would remember long after the evening had ended. The Underground had become more than a venue. It had become a home for friendship, networking, luxury and shared passion.

In April 2024, while in Cape Town for Comic Con Cape Town, our founder, Damian, received a call from Steve Zylstra, the Beam Suntory Brand Ambassador, who asked to meet for coffee. What seemed like a casual conversation soon became one of the most important meetings in the history of SymCorp. Over breakfast at Villa 47 on Bree Street, Cape Town, Steve shared an opportunity that spoke directly to a long-held dream: expanding the vision of The Underground Whisky Club into the Western Cape and, in doing so, taking the brand from a Johannesburg success story to a truly national South African brand.

From the very first meeting, there was a clear sense that the opportunity was meant to be. Partnerships had never been something our founder, Damian, took lightly. In fact, he had always been extremely selective about who he allowed into his business world. But the energy, passion and drive that Steve brought to the table felt different. There was a shared love for the industry, a shared belief in premium experiences and a shared desire to build something meaningful. That connection immediately sparked the entrepreneurial spirit that had driven every major step of the SymCorp journey. On that day, with a handshake and a simple commitment, the next chapter began.

The months that followed were filled with challenge, planning and persistence. Finding the right home for the new Cape Town venue was not easy. The space needed to carry the same DNA, atmosphere and spirit as The Underground Whisky Club in Johannesburg, while also having its own identity and sense of place. After a long search, the perfect location was finally found: The Old Castle Brewery. With its heritage, character, architecture and unmistakable atmosphere, the space immediately felt right. From the moment our founder, Damian, and Steve walked through the doors, it was clear that this was where the Western Cape chapter of the brand would begin.

Through Steve’s well-known love for the word “premium”, and his reputation in the liquor trade as “Steve Premium”, the name of the new business naturally began to take shape. The Premium Liquor Company was born, with The Underground Whisky Club operating under its banner in Cape Town. It represented more than a new venue. It represented the next evolution of the brand, a bridge between Johannesburg and Cape Town, between established members and new communities, and between local success and national recognition.

The year was not without its challenges. While building The Premium Liquor Company in Cape Town, our founder, Damian, also continued to run and maintain The Underground Whisky Club and The Archive Whisky Club in Johannesburg. It required focus, resilience, travel, sacrifice and unwavering belief. Yet, through hard work, dedication and the support of the people who believed in the vision, the dream became a reality.

On 2 November 2024, Steve and our founder, Damian, officially opened The Premium Liquor Company in Cape Town. It was a defining milestone in the SymCorp journey, the moment the brand expanded beyond Johannesburg and made its mark as a national name in South Africa’s luxury liquor and private members’ experience industry.

2025

Resilience, Growth and the Arrival of The Archive in Cape Town

2025 was one of the most challenging years in the SymCorp journey. It was a year that tested the business, its relationships and its ability to keep members, clients and customers happy while continuing to operate at the high standard the brand had become known for. By this stage, the Johannesburg branch was running strongly, with The Underground Whisky Club and The Archive Whisky Club managing more than 40 events throughout the year. This included private and corporate experiences for respected companies such as JLR Land Rover, Anchor Capital, Investec and many others. The demand for curated luxury experiences continued to grow, and Johannesburg remained the heart of the brand’s original story.

At the same time, the Cape Town branch, The Premium Liquor Company, was now in its first full year of operation and beginning to find its feet. The focus was on building trust, welcoming new members and establishing a strong reputation within the liquor trade and luxury hospitality space. Operating under the SymCorp banner helped open doors and build confidence with global brand partners who already understood the standard, credibility and vision behind the group. What had started as a bold expansion into the Western Cape was slowly becoming a recognized and respected part of the broader SymCorp ecosystem.

As the Cape Town community began to grow, our founder, Damian, together with his Cape Town business partner, Steve, recognized a familiar pattern. Just as Damian had seen in Johannesburg, there was a demand from more discerning members and high-end clientele for something even more private, exclusive and elevated. The Premium Liquor Company had given Cape Town a beautiful whisky club and a strong foundation, but the next step was clear: the concept and mechanics of The Archive needed to be introduced to the Mother City. It was time for Damian and Steve to bring a deeper level of luxury, privacy and member experience to Cape Town.

Each year, our founder, Damian, hosts the SymRally, a supercar rally where Archive members send their cars down to take part in a six-day journey from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. The rally has always represented more than a drive; it is a celebration of friendship, loyalty, performance, lifestyle and the continued growth of the SymCorp vision. In 2025, the rally carried even greater meaning, as it celebrated the launch of The Archive Whisky Club at The Premium Liquor Company in Cape Town. It was a deeply special moment because many of the members who joined the rally had supported our founder, Damian, from the very beginning of his journey and had continued to believe in him, his dream and the future he was building.

Although 2025 was a difficult and demanding year, both personally and professionally, it also became a year of reflection, resilience and achievement. SymCorp had maintained its Johannesburg foundation, continued to grow The Underground Whisky Club, strengthened The Premium Liquor Company in Cape Town and prepared the way for The Archive Whisky Club to enter the Western Cape. Looking back, the year proved that even through pressure and challenge, the brand was still moving in the right direction. The journey was not always easy, but the vision remained clear: to continue creating spaces, experiences and communities that bring together the right people, the right brands and the highest standard of luxury.

2026

The Year of Change and Collaboration

At the very beginning of 2026, our founder, Damian, made a personal promise that this would be the year of change. It would be the year he finally placed focus where it mattered most: his family, SymCorp and the long-term future of the brand. Big changes were needed to prepare the business for scale, to sharpen its direction and to position SymCorp for the next stage of growth, with the ultimate vision of entering the global luxury market.

The year of change became more than a phrase. It became a commitment. Our founder, Damian, focused on luxury, on The Underground Whisky Club and on giving members in both Johannesburg and Cape Town the attention, service, quality and meticulous detail they deserved. The year brought extreme challenges, but through every test, the foundations of the brand remained strong: self-belief, persistence and a clear vision to build something much bigger than a business, an empire rooted in experience, community and legacy.

2026 also became the year of collaboration for SymCorp. The first major collaboration was SymCorp x Frank Bespoke, created with Grant, whose business values, craftsmanship and attention to detail aligned perfectly with what SymCorp stands for. It was an important step in connecting the SymCorp name with other luxury brands that shared the same standards, discipline and respect for quality.

The second major collaboration was SymCorp x Bertier, an extremely successful partnership with Jean that introduced the first annual release: Moss. The Moss Collection included a custom-designed pair of sneakers, followed by a weekender bag, a crossbody bag and a wallet. It was a collaboration built on shared ideals, craftsmanship and understated luxury. Working with Frank Bespoke and Bertier was critical in moving SymCorp into the next phase of growth and placing the brand firmly within the luxury segment.

Although 2026 has been a tough year so far, the first half has also been an incredible period of movement, recognition and momentum. With more than 30 events already hosted, powerful collaborations with luxury brand partners and continued growth across Johannesburg and Cape Town, SymCorp has continued to prove that the vision is alive, evolving and expanding.

On the same day as The Archive renewal, 23 July 2026, SymCorp proudly presents another major milestone: the launch of the brand-new e-commerce website for The Underground Whisky Club. This marks an important evolution for the brand, taking The Underground Whisky Club beyond the walls of its private venues and allowing it to officially sell across Southern Africa. It is a major step in building the infrastructure needed for future growth, wider reach and long-term scalability.

The story continues. With more events, collaborations and developments still to come in 2026, SymCorp remains committed to growing across Southern Africa and, ultimately, entering the global luxury market. With the love and support of its members, partners and community, the brand will continue to expand, evolve and pursue the vision that started with one collectible and became a luxury ecosystem.