The much-anticipated annual series of releases is usually announced in September, ahead of their release in the autumn. But due to the launch now being one of the industry’s worst kept secrets, the drinks giant has decided to announce the first nine bottlings, with details of the 10th and RRP’s of the whole collection to follow later in the year.
 |
| Last year's Special Releases, headlined by a 1978 Port Ellen |
Minus the tenth bottle being announced later this year, the 2017 Diageo Special Releases are comprised of:
Blair Athol 23 Year Old - Distilled in 1993 - 58.4% ABV
Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts
Bottles: 5,514
Brora 34 Year Old – Distilled in 1982 - 51.9% ABV
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Bottles: 3,000
Caol Ila 18 Year Old – 59.8% ABV
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Limited Quantities Available Worldwide
Convalmore 32 Year Old – Distilled in 1984 - 48.2% ABV
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Bottles: 3,972
Glen Elgin 18 Year Old – Distilled in 1998 - 54.8% ABV
Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts
Bottles: 5,352
Lagavulin 12 Year Old - 56.5% ABV
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Limited Quantities Available Worldwide
Port Dundas 52 Year Old – Distilled in 1964 - 44.6% ABV
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Bottles: 752
Port Ellen 37 Year Old – Distilled in 1979 – 51% ABV
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Butts
Bottles: 2,988
Teaninich 17 Year Old – Distilled in 1999 - 55.9% ABV
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Barrels
Limited Quantities Available Worldwide
Commenting on the news, Dr Nick Morgan, Head of Whisky Outreach at Diageo, said: “One of our most cherished moments in the whisky calendar is the annual announcement of the Diageo Special Releases collection – a group of limited edition and natural cask strength whiskies that are highly anticipated around the world and revered for their quality and collectability.
He went onto say: "So highly awaited are the releases, you may have noticed that we struggle to keep them under lock and key. Special Releases has rapidly become the worst kept secret in malts due to your enthusiasm and dedication to the collection.”
Last year’s Diageo Special Releases, was headlined by their Port Ellen 1978 - 37 Year Old bottling, which retailed for £2,450.
Posted by Steve Rush