SMWS launches 'Whisky Equinox' with limited bottles and Edinburgh event to mark whisky season

What the launch is

Society (SMWS) has introduced Whisky Equinox, a new annual date set for 23 September to mark the beginning of the traditional whisky-drinking season. The society timed the date to the astronomical autumn equinox—01:06 am—and plans a global initiative that asks enthusiasts to take a dram on that evening.

SMWS positions Whisky Equinox as a seasonal focal point for whisky in the same way other beverage categories have set moments in the calendar.

The public bottlings and prices

• Riesling Spritz in the Sun: a 12-year-old Speyside bottling.
• Spice It Up After Dark: an 11-year-old Highland malt.

Each 35cl bottle is priced at £39 (about $51 USD), or the pair can be bought for £75 (about $98 USD).

Members-only releases and upcoming drops

Alongside the public 35cl releases, SMWS is launching a second pair of full-size 70cl bottles available exclusively to existing members. The official tasting notes for those member releases describe two different autumnal profiles:

• Panpepato Party Starter: rich and spiced, with cinnamon, ginger, chocolate, and dried fruit.
• Library Cafe in Autumn: gentler flavours with strawberry tart, butterscotch, espresso, and pistachio.

SMWS also plans to release almost 100 limited-edition whiskies over the next few months. The forthcoming selections are expected to include peated and sherry-cask profiles aimed at the richer styles commonly drunk in colder months.

The Edinburgh launch event

An official launch gathering will take place on 23 September at SMWS's original Members' Room on Queen Street in Edinburgh. The programme for attendees includes a meditative gong sound bath led by Jo McCoy of Blissness, a poetry reading, and a guided tasting. The event is intended to mark the equinox with a sensory, social moment.

Madeleine Schmoll, European Content Manager at SMWS, explained the timing by saying whisky is consumed year-round but that people tend to reach for it more in autumn and winter. Annabel Meikle, Master of The Quaich, expressed support for the idea of a date to mark the start of whisky season.

Why this matters to drinkers and collectors

SMWS's move shifts part of its usual release structure by offering specific bottlings to the general public. The combination of a public release, members-only offerings, and a high volume of limited editions means collectors and casual drinkers will both encounter new purchase opportunities tied to the equinox date. The focus on peated and sherry cask styles signals a seasonal pivot toward heavier flavour profiles.

Details on releases and event information are available on the official Whisky Equinox website and through SMWS communication channels.