DIAGEO’S SPECIAL RELEASES FOR THIS YEAR

Diageo’s Special Releases Collection 2019 unveiled

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED CASK-STRENGTH BOUQUET

Diageo has announced the highly anticipated launch of the 2019 'Rare by Nature’ inspired Special Releases collection. Comprised of eight cask strength single malt Scotch whiskies from some of Scotland’s most renowned and less known distilleries, this year’s line-up has been hand selected by Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson.

ABOUT DIAGEO’S SPECIAL RELEASES:

During the late 1980s, the benchmark expressions of single malt whiskies from six single malt distilleries became well known under the CLASSIC MALTS name. Interest in older and even more rare malt whiskies in general also grew during this period. One product of this was the RARE MALTS, a series of rarer releases begun in 1995, and which ended in 2005. There remained a demand for unusual, distinctive, often older, unrepeatable cask strength bottlings, usually of the CLASSIC MALTS. Such bottlings allowed collectors, connoisseurs and enthusiasts to enjoy and experience remaining older stocks, and/or unusual expressions of a distillery’s character - a treasure trove of priceless malts. To satisfy this demand, the SPECIAL RELEASES series was born in 2001, and the annual collection - with familiar names and some surprises - has been eagerly awaited by enthusiasts ever since.

THE 2019 SPECIAL RELEASES COLLECTION

The 2019 Special Releases collection are now available in limited quantities from specialist Scotch whisky retailers.

This year's line-up was launched at an exclusive event at Somerset House in Central London, where guests were guided through a sensorial journey, transporting them from the hustle and bustle of the city to the wild Scottish habitats that inspired this year’s ‘Rare by Nature’ theme.

This carefully selected line-up features discoveries from Diageo’s most precious stocks maturing in Scotland. The collection celebrates whiskies with distinctive maturation techniques, rare finishes and unexpected taste profiles, with this year’s cask strength bottlings bringing to life each distillery’s unique character. Featuring expressions from famous, to supreme examples of the less well known and even closed distilleries, the bottlings are all extremely rare and sought-after whiskies.

Special Releases 2019 Collection

Cardhu 14-Year-Old: Smooth and generous, a small batch double matured for two years in Amontillado sherry-seasoned hogsheads.

Cragganmore 12-Year-Old: An unusual smoky expression of a Speyside classic, never released before, matured in refill American oak casks.

Dalwhinnie 30-Year-Old: Extra-mature & gentle highland malt with rich flavours from over thirty years of maturation in refill hogsheads and butts.

Lagavulin 12-Year-Old: Powerful & peaty, the king of Islay, a small batch of Lagavulin matured in refill American oak casks.

Mortlach 26-Year-Old: Rich & bold, a small batch of ‘ The Beast of Dufftown’ matured in first-fill Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso-seasoned casks.

Pittyvaich 29-Year-Old: A 1989 ghost, double matured in Pedro Ximenez & Oloroso sherry seasoned casks.

The Singleton of Glen Ord 18-Year-Old: A previously unreleased expression of lively rich fruit & spiced oak matured in freshly charred American oak hogshead.

Talisker 15-Year-Old: Rugged & smoky, made by the sea, the first ever release of Talisker as a 15 year old, matured only in freshly charred American oak hogshead.

The Singleton of Glen Ord 18-Year-Old is Back.    

                                       

One of the best expressions ever, this Singleton was released to the Asian market, where its stocks were exhausted in no time in 2015! After a prolonged hiatus, this expression is back.
Nose: Rich oak, vanilla, mild sherry, sweet honey and dried fruits, mixed spices, floral notes, fresh fruits (pineapple and just ripe green Nashik grapes) and a drifting whiff of smoke.

Taste: Sweet honey, a touch of biltong, dried fruits (dates, figs and mainly Indian gooseberries), malt and pepper.

Finish: Soft oak and floral honey, ginger, basel and fresh green fruits.

SINGLETON LAUNCHES ITS OLDEST SCOTCH FOR £26,400

Diageo has released the oldest age statement from The Singleton brand to date – a 53-year-old single cask Scotch.

Distilled at The Singleton’s Dufftown distillery, the 1964 vintage whisky has been drawn from a single hogshead cask. Only 117 bottles have been released at an RRP of £26,400 each (approximately US$33,000). The whisky is presented in a crystal decanter housed in a wooden case that incorporates a piece of the original cask into its design. It is the first release in the brand’s new Paragon of Time Collection.

Bottled at 40.6% ABV, The Singleton 53 Year Old is now available from specialist retailers.  

The Singleton range is a trio of single malts from Dufftown, Glen Ord and Glendullan. Last year, brand owner Diageo added a “sweeter” iteration to The Singleton of Dufftown range. The UK firm is aiming to make The Singleton a million-case spirit brand.