Whisky gets its own Oktoberfest moment: a brand-new holiday

Friday, 11 September 2026 at 08:31

Madeleine Schmoll of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society raises a dram to toast the start of whisky season on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, with Jo McCoy of Blissness, a gong sound bath practitioner

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Beer lovers have Oktoberfest, and wine has Beaujolais Nouveau Day, among others. But when does whisky season officially begin? According to The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, there hasn’t been a clear moment, until now. This month, SMWS launches the very first Whisky Equinox.

The idea behind this new whisky holiday is simple. As evenings draw in and temperatures start to dip, many of us reach more often for a glass of whisky. The Society wants to mark that shift each year on 23 September.

And a festive day dedicated to the water of life naturally deserves a host of new whiskies. SMWS is unveiling those as well.

Why is 23 September the start of whisky season?

The chosen name is Whisky Equinox, not a nod to whisky eclipses, but to the perfect moment to kick off the season. On 23 September we reach the autumnal equinox, when day and night are roughly equal and we begin the slow turn toward the darker half of the year.

For The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, it’s a beautifully symbolic time to open whisky season. Enthusiasts are encouraged to pour a dram on the evening of 23 September and raise a glass together: at home, with friends, or online using the hashtag #WhiskyEquinox.

Whisky glass raised in a toast to the new whisky season on Calton Hill, Edinburgh, for the Whisky Equinox

Two whiskies for light and dark

For Whisky Equinox, SMWS has created two standout bottlings that embody the play of light and dark. The first, Riesling Spritz in the Sun, is a 12-year-old Speyside that represents the brighter side of the equinox. Its counterpart, Spice It Up After Dark, is an 11-year-old Highland that leans into the night.

Both whiskies come in smaller 35cl bottles. A single bottle is priced at 39 pounds, while the set of two is offered at 75 pounds

Normally, SMWS releases are members-only. An exception is being made for these two bottles: anyone can purchase them via SMWS.com.

SMWS members also get two special bottles

Members of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society will see a second Whisky Equinox duo as well—this time two standard 70cl bottles under the shared name Yin & Yang.

The first, Panpepato Party Starter, offers notes of cinnamon, ginger, chocolate, and dried fruit. The second, Library Cafe in Autumn, takes a softer tack, with flavours of strawberry tart, butterscotch, espresso, and pistachio.

Will we all be toasting on 23 September from now on?

There are already international whisky days, but one more can only help. World Whisky Day lands in May, and International Whisk(e)y Day in March. The difference is that Whisky Equinox is designed specifically as the opening bell for the season when, according to the Society, many people return to whisky more often.

Whisky expert and Master of the Quaich Annabel Meikle certainly sees the appeal. In her view, whisky truly shines as the nights grow longer and the mercury falls.

Whether 23 September will become the day when whisky lovers worldwide reach for their glasses remains to be seen. We’ll be raising a glass of the water of life on 23 September either way.

FAQ

What is the Whisky Equinox?
Whisky Equinox is a new initiative from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society to symbolically celebrate the start of whisky season on 23 September.
Which whiskies are being released for Whisky Equinox?
Among others, two special 35cl bottles: Riesling Spritz in the Sun, a 12-year-old Speyside, and Spice It Up After Dark, an 11-year-old Highland.
Do you need to be a member of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society to buy the bottles?
No. The two special 35cl Whisky Equinox bottles are, exceptionally, available to everyone.