|
This May, The
Scotch Malt Whisky Society will venture
off the beaten path with a series of
unique whisky festival events, alongside
the release of 35 specially selected
bottling's and a special edition blended
malt.
The Scotch Malt
Whisky Society (SMWS) is embracing the
spirit of exploration this whisky
festival season with a series of
exciting events and a collection of
specially selected single cask and blended
releases.
This year, the international whisky club
is charting a new course by hosting
three unique, off-the-beaten-path
experiences. The festivities begin on 2
May with a foraging adventure in
Speyside, led by local expert Michelle
Myron. Participants will gather fresh
birch sap, forage along the riverbanks,
and uncover the secrets of the historic
Old Pittyvaich site—all while enjoying
four exclusive SMWS whiskies.
On 23 May, whisky lovers can join a
scenic 33-mile cycling tour across the
Kintyre Peninsula. The journey will
highlight Campbeltown’s rich distilling
heritage, culminating in a well-earned
dram of a 32 Year Old whisky.
The final event on 28 May offers an
unforgettable boat trip around Islay’s
south-east coastline. Guests will savour
a fresh seafood feast paired with a
four-dram flight of peated whiskies
during this immersive coastal
experience.
In addition to these adventurous
gatherings, SMWS will bring the festival
spirit to its four Members’ Rooms. A
collection of 35 specially selected
bottling's will be released globally,
complemented by a special small-batch
blended malt: Wandering Alchemy.
The 2025 Whisky Wanderers Festival
line-up features casks that break the
mould, celebrating unexpected flavour
profiles from Scotland’s distilleries
and regions. Highlights include Society
Cask No. 68.126 (distilled at Blair
Atholl Distillery): A Wizard (of Oz)
Balancing Act, matured in a second-fill
ex-Muscat barrique from Australia;
Society Cask No. 162.6 (distilled at the
Isle of Raasay Distillery): A Hebridean
Idyll, matured in a first-fill Chinkapin
oak barrel; and Society Cask No. 95.106
(distilled at Auchroisk Distillery):
Strawberry Shortcake, a Speyside whisky
finished in a first-fill tawny port
barrique. Further releases are set to
continue throughout May.
Priced at £70, Wandering Alchemy is a
pioneering small-batch blended malt
crafted from whiskies sourced from each
of Scotland’s five whisky-producing
regions: Speyside, Highlands, Lowlands,
Islay, and Campbeltown. The resulting
dram offers a nostalgic balance of smoky
and honeyed notes, marking a significant
first for the Society.
Kai Ivalo, Whisky Director at SMWS,
said: "The 35 casks we have selected for
our Whisky Wanderers Festivals 2025
offering this year showcase a diverse
range of spirit styles and cask types
that embody what the Society is all
about. Each cask has undergone carefully
considered additional maturation to
enhance complexity, allowing us to
explore the full spectrum of Scotch
whisky flavours. These expressions
reinforce that at SMWS, our “norm” is
off the beaten track - offering unique
whiskies that can only be discovered as
a member.
"Our theme this year is ‘Whisky with a
taste for adventure’, which is why we
are celebrating festivals differently
with three unique off the beaten track
events. From foraging in the heart of
Speyside to a 33-mile cycle ride of the
dramatic Kintyre Peninsula, each event
will give our members the chance to
experience Scotland’s whisky landscape
in a whole new light."
If you're not yet familiar with The
Scotch Malt Whisky Society, it's known
for its outstanding single cask
whiskies, bold experimental blends, and
a flavour-led philosophy. Members enjoy
exclusive access to rare releases,
expert curation, and a lively,
like-minded whisky community.
For more info on all of these events, to
purchase any of these releases and for
SMWS membership visit
www.smws.com
|
