The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has announced the launch of its 2025 Festival Collection. 17 limited-edition whiskies will be released to mark the annual Scotch Whisky Festivals and to celebrate the release of a new documentary — Independent Spirits — featuring the SMWS.
The 2025 Festival Collection is comprised of the following bundles of two to four 700ml expressions each, as well as a special blended release:
The Wandering
- A blended malt whisky composed of spirit from five Scotch whisky regions (58.4% ABV)
Smoke on the Horizon
- Cask No 162.1 Peat featuring Oak Single Cask (57.8% ABV)
- Cask No 53.491 Gastronomic Beachcombing (58.9% ABV)
- Cask No 16.97 Smoky Hanky Panky (61.2% ABV)
The Years Between
- Cask No 35.400 Serendipitous Supper (56.2% ABV)
- Cask No 12.87 Velvety Smooth (59.2% ABV)
The Last Summer
- Cask No 68.127 In a Dwarm Dram (57.9% ABV)
- Cask No 55.96 Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins (58.2% ABV)
- Cask No 79.11 Stave Versus Spirit (60.6% ABV)
Across The Finish Line
- Cask No 12.88 Perfect Armchair Dram (56.9% ABV)
- Cask No 105.50 East of Fortune (57.3% ABV)
- Cask No 59.88 Breakfast Sweets (59.9% ABV)
- Cask No 68.128 Juicy and Intense (62.6% ABV)
The Odd Team
- Cask No 135.66 Faire Chabrol (54.9% ABV)
- Cask No 162.4 From the Shoreline… (55.2% ABV)
- Cask No 112.125 Chiselled Features (58.4% ABV)
- Cask No 18.69 This One is a Must (61.3% ABV)
Throughout May, consumers that purchase a festival bottling will also receive access to the documentary via an exclusive streaming code.
Scotland’s Scotch Whisky Festivals is held annually across regions such as Speyside, Islay, and Campbeltown, highlighting the distinct whisky-making traditions of each region. This year, the society’s role is amplified with the release of the documentary, which spotlights the highly influential independent bottlers in the Scotch industry. The four-part documentary series debuted at the Leith Festival.
The SMWS’s senior director, USA, commented: “We’re thrilled to blend the artistry of whisky with the creative world of film. Although not affiliated with a single region, the Scotch Malt Whisky Society has long played an important role in the festival season by hosting exclusive member gatherings across the United Kingdom and the United States and releasing festival bottlings. This year’s Festival Collection invites members to not only taste something exceptional but also to see the spirit of independence in action. Each whisky has been specially selected to reflect the flavour, diversity, and storytelling potential of Scotch whisky at its most adventurous.”
Earlier this year, the SMWS announced the release of Homecoming, a premium collection of four single malts celebrating the history and traditions of the whisky club.
