2025 FESTIVALS PREVIEW
A taste for adventure
This year, we’re celebrating Scottish whisky festivals differently by shining a spotlight on the unexpected. Our events and our whiskies are all about embracing the spirit of adventure and exploration. Get ready to join us on the path less trodden and for whisky experiences with a taste for adventure
WORDS: MADS SCHMOLL PHOTOS: PETER SANDGROUND AND MIKE WILKINSON
Our three big events are just that – big experiences with only a handful of tickets available for each carefully curated adventure. Join us for an unconventional whisky journey and be sure to check out each accompanying Old & Rare tasting filled with spectacular drams.
SPEYSIDE
Friday, 2 May: Dufftown Whisky & Foraging Walk
Our first venture takes us off the beaten track into nature for a whisky-inspired foraging adventure. Guided by local expert, Michelle from Speyside Tours you’ll explore the natural bounty of Speyside with four Society whiskies. Discover the significance of birch trees, collect fresh birch sap, and forage along the riverbank listening to stories and secrets from the Old Pittyvaich Site, Mr Grant’s old house, and more. https://smws.com/whisky-forage-walk-off-the-beaten-track-smws-experience/
Friday, 2 May: Speyside Relics at The Quaich, The Craigellachie Hotel, 7pm
That evening beloved Society ambassador Olaf Meier will lead a very special Old & Rare tasting in a way that only the Society can, with coveted whiskies from our archives. These Vaults Collection and black label drams each have their own story and spirit and are not to be missed. A three-course gourmet dinner follows. https://smws.com/speyside-relics-old-rare-whisky-tasting-with-dinner-at-the-craigellachie-hotel/
PICTURED: Craigellachie Bridge
CAMPBELTOWN
Friday, May 23: Whisky & Wheels Trail – Campbeltown
We’re teaming up with our friends at Saddle Grape & Grain for a 32-mile bike ride through the southern end of the Kintyre Peninsula. Led by award-winning whisky writer Tom Bruce-Gardyne (a regular contributor to the Society’s Unfiltered magazine) and Aidan Prior of Saddle Grape & Grain, with the chance to hear stories of Campbeltown and meet one or two local industry legends. This tour is complete with a dram at the finish line, 32 year old Cask No. 93.207: Harbourside Hoopla – a year for each mile travelled!
https://smws.com/whisky-wheels-trail-off-the-beaten-track-smws-experience/
Friday, May 23: Campbeltown Relics at The Ardshiel Hotel, 7pm
Join us for an unforgettable six-dram tasting of old and rare Society whiskies from the archives. Accompanied by a delicious three-course meal, these unique drams include Vaults Collection and black label offerings. https://smws.com/campbeltown-relics-old-rare-whisky-tasting-with-dinner-at-the-ardshiel-hotel/
PICTURED: Glen Scotia distillery in the heart of Campbeltown
ISLAY
Monday, 26 May: Islay Relics at The Ballygrant Inn
Delve into the distinctive character and captivating flavours of Islay’s finest whiskies through this tasting of Society delights from the archives. You’ll try six stunning drams from both our back catalogue of black label and Vaults Collection releases. A three-course dinner is included in your ticket price. https://smws.com/islay-relics-old-rare-whisky-tasting-with-dinner-at-the-ballygrant-inn/
Wednesday, 28 May: Whisky & Seafood Sail departing from Port Ellen
We’re heading over to the Queen of the Hebrides for a whisky and seafood adventure along the stunning coastline of Islay. You’ll feast on fresh seafood expertly paired with four peated Society whiskies while enjoying a unique perspective of the island from the water. https://smws.com/whisky-seafood-sail-off-the-beaten-track-smws-experience/
PICTURED: The hunt for flavour lies ahead on Islay
VAULTS ON THE ROAD
Friday 16 Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May – Various locations
Our Vaults on the Road tasting experience is all about exploring what the Society has to offer. You’ll indulge in a handpicked selection of whiskies from this year’s Whisky Wanderers offerings, featuring specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations. Choose six drams from a selection of 18 with the option to buy your favourites. Friday 16 May, Dundee https://smws.com/dundee-vaults-on-the-road-16-05-2025/ Saturday 17 May, Chapeltown https://smws.com/chapeltown-vaults-on-the-road-17-05-2025/ Sunday 18 May, Aberdeen https://smws.com/aberdeen-vaults-on-the-road-18-05-2025/
WHISKY WANDERERS
Join us for a festival-inspired tasting at any of our four Members’ Rooms to indulge in sensational specially selected casks that defy traditional expectations. From robust smoke to reliving years gone by, there’s something for everyone at our Members’ Rooms this festival season.
Thursday, 15 May: Society Festival Favourites at Bath Street https://smws.com/bath-street-society-festival-favourites-15-05-25/
Monday, 19 May: Distillery Visit: Raasay at The Vaults
https://smws.com/the-vaults-distillery-visit-raasay-19-05-25/
Thursday, 22 May: Whisky Wanderers tasting at The Vaults https://smws.com/the-vaults-2025-festival-release-tasting-22-05-25/
Friday, 23 May: Queen Street Festival releases: turn up the peat at Queen Street https://smws.com/queen-street-festival-releases-turn-up-the-peat-23-05-23/
Tuesday, 27 May: Whisky Wanderers tasting at Greville Street https://smws.com/greville-street-festival-bottles-tasting-27-05-25/
Wednesday, 28 May: Islay whisky celebration at Greville Street https://smws.com/greville-street-islay-whisky-festival-celebration-28-05-25/
Thursday, 29 May: Celebration of Islay at Bath Street https://smws.com/bath-street-celebration-of-islay-29-05-25/
PICTURED: The Society's Bath Street Members' Room in Glasgow
ABOVE: The Otto Lauffer sets sail for a Society tasting
EUROPE’S PATH LESS TRODDEN
Saturday, 3 May: Whisky cruise on the Wörthersee (Austria)
This tasting is an annual tradition for our Austrian members, who have a taste for savouring Society drams in the country’s natural beauty. This six-dram tasting comes complete with an Italian antipasti board. https://smws.eu/15-what-else-whiskykreuzfahrt-worthersee/
May: Whisky Wanderers Germany
Join us for a six-dram tasting featuring Whisky Wanderers releases in Berlin, Frankfurt, Siegen, Nürnberg, and Fürth. https://smws.eu/events/?search&page=2&sortBy=eventdateasc&location=germany&min_price=undefined&max_price=undefined&date_from=undefined&date_to=undefined
Thursday, 29 May: Puffer Boat Tasting in Hamburg, Germany
In Hamburg the Otto Lauffer will be setting sail for its annual puffer boat tasting where members can enjoy six appropriately smoky and maritime drams alongside a selection of snacks.
https://smws.eu/die-smws-himmelfahrt-mai-tour-1/
https://smws.eu/die-smws-himmelfahrt-mai-tour-2/
Friday, 27 and Saturday, 28 June: High Coast Whisky Festival
The High Coast Whisky Festival in the north of Sweden is one for the destination drammers. Located at the High Coast Distillery on the Ångermanälven River, the weekend will see whisky lovers embrace music, food, camping, and exceptional single malt whisky. https://smws.eu/high-coast-whiskyfestiva-27-28-juni/
Thursday, 17 July: Grachtenboot tour, Utrecht, The Netherlands
This tasting kicks off from famed Society partner bar, The Malt Vault. Enjoy a selection of Society whiskies as we head through the picturesque canals of Utrecht on a (hopefully) beautiful summer evening. https://smws.eu/club-evening-july-grachtenboot-tour/
