The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has announced the release of Homecoming, a premium collection of four single malts celebrating the history and traditions of the whisky club.
The collection, released today, is in collaboration with local artist Shona Hardie, who designed bespoke bottle labels capturing aspects of The Vaults in Leith — the spiritual home of the SMWS for more than 40 years.
The Vaults date back to the 12th century, and is believed to be the oldest building in Scotland to have the same continual use through its centuries of life.
Four bottles of aged single malts are included in the collection, including:
- Home is Where the Hearth is: 20 years old, lightly peated, and said to mimic the warmth of the fireplace in The Vaults.
- Snug and Toasty: 32 years old, sweet and spicy, and said to represent a circle of friends gathering for a dram in the venue’s snug area.
- Bar-Room Buzz: 32 years old, fruity, and said to replicate the liveliness and energy of the members' bar.
- Shore Reflections: 30 years old, described as having notes of leather and demerara sugar, and said to pay homage to Leith’s historic role in the sherry trade.
The release follows the launch of last month’s The Creators Collection.
Commenting on her work for the collection, artist Hardie said: “As a local artist it has been fantastic to become part of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s incredible history through our collaboration on this exciting new collection. Homecoming is about reconnecting with the past and with your community — something I have tried to capture in my label designs.
“I wanted to tie in the fire and the hearth with the building itself. Walking through the gates to the warmth of the heart of the building, that to so many members is symbolic of a homecoming of sorts.
“The clinking of glasses signifies friendship — sharing a dram and finding like-minded people in the community The Vaults creates.”
Head of whisky creation at the SMWS, Euan Campbell, added: “The Homecoming collection is not just about whisky; it’s about a journey back to where it all began for the Society. We’ve come a long way in the last 40 years, with members all over the world, but The Vaults remains our spiritual home. This collection is about reconnecting with our past, honouring tradition and bringing those timeless values into the present.
“With this collection we’re inviting our members – wherever they are in the world — to experience a deeper connection to The Vaults, making every sip a celebration of tradition and a tribute to the enduring spirit of our heritage.”
