DIAGEO LAUNCHES ITS 2024 SPECIAL RELEASES COLLECTION

Diageo, has today announced the launch of its latest annual collection of Special Releases, which are said to be a testament to the artistry of craft and flavour exploration.

Selected by Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison, this year’s collection which has been titled 'Spirited Xchange Second Edition' is comprised of eight rare and collectable single malt Scotch whiskies.

The Diageo 2024 Special Releases

While this is the second instalment of the Spirited Xchange theme, it builds on the two decades long legacy of Special Releases, a collection that has continuously celebrated exceptional and rare whiskies.

The Diageo 2024 Special Releases Collection is comprised of:

Mortlach ‘Midnight Dusk’ (57.5% ABV) NAS Speyside single malt. Matured in refill and ex-Bourbon American oak casks, then finished in Ramandolo white wine and Sangiovese red wine casks. RRP: $300.

The Singleton of Glen Ord ‘Autumn Walk’ (54.7% ABV) 14 Year Old Highland single malt. Matured in a combination of ex-Bourbon, rejuvenated ex-wine and refill casks, before being finished in a combination of experimental casks with European oak and unique Pyrenean oak cask-ends. RRP: $155.

Talisker  ‘Tidal Churn’ (58.7% ABV) 8 Year Old Island single malt. Matured in refill and ex-Bourbon American oak casks, before being finished in stone spun and toasted American oak casks. RRP: $105.

Lagavulin ‘Fireside Tales’ (57.4% ABV) 12 Year Old Islay single malt. Matured in ex-Bourbon barrels, refill hogsheads of American oak casks and refill European Oak butts. RRP: $180.

Benrinnes ‘Grand Crescendo’ (55.4% ABV) 21 Year Old Speyside single malt. Matured for eight years in refill casks then double matured for thirteen years in wine-seasoned American oak, European oak, and rejuvenated casks with charred ends. RRP: $480.

Roseisle ‘Origami Kite 2’ (55.6% ABV) 12 Year Old single malt. Matured in refill and ex-Bourbon American oak casks. RRP: $150.

Oban ‘Coastal Orchard’ (58% ABV) 10 Year Old single malt. Matured in refill American oak and part finished in new fresh charred Oloroso-seasoned American oak casks. RRP: $120

Caol Ila ‘Ambrosial Feast’ (57.3% ABV) 11 Year Old Islay single malt. Matured in refill, rejuvenated and rejuvenated ex-wine American and European oak casks. RRP: $110.

Commenting on the launch, Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison, said: “Each year, our Special Releases collection showcases hand-selected, distillery-first expressions that push the boundaries of traditional whisky-making. This year's collection is a continuation of the Spirited Xchange that delves deeper into flavour exploration, experimenting with various cask combinations that challenge expectations.”

He went onto say: “This collection is about curiosity and what happens when you challenge yourself to think ‘what if’. This has led us to explore a variety of exciting maturation techniques, from selecting a novel combination of casks for The Singleton, to taking both Ramandolo white wine and Sangiovese red wine casks to finish Mortlach and bringing a totally new dimension of flavour to its unmistakably umami identity. We are excited for whisky lovers to experience it."

The Diageo 2024 Special Releases Collection, will be available in limited quantities from malts.com and specialist retailers, over the coming weeks.

Posted by Steve Rush

GLENLIVET LAUNCHES ITS OLDEST EXPRESSION TO DATE

The Speyside based Glenlivet Distillery, has announced the launch of its oldest expression to date, as part of its 200th Anniversary celebrations.

The Glenlivet Eternal Collection - First Edition 55 Year Old (42.2% ABV) is a single malt Scotch whisky, which was matured in a seasoned Sherry cask, and produced in collaboration with computational architect, Michael Hansmeyer.

The Glenlivet Eternal Collection - First Edition 55 Year Old

This latest release, which is the first in a new annual series of highly collectable whiskies, is said to celebrate the brands excellence in whisky craftsmanship and design, embodying the originality that has defined Glenlivet since its inception in 1824.

In partnership with pioneering artist, Michael Hansmeyer, the whisky comes presented in a sculpture that takes inspiration from the home of The Glenlivet. Mirroring the eternal essence and flow of the River Livet, which is located deep in the Spey Valley where The Glenlivet was born, Hansmeyer brought his unique expertise in computational architecture to create this highly original art piece.

The Glenlivet Eternal Collection - First Edition 55 Year Old, is said to deliver notes of autumn fruits, sun-drenched Seville oranges, sticky dates, cinnamon and nutmeg on the nose. Followed by notes of blackcurrant jam, vanilla fudge and zesty citrus on the palate.

Commenting on the launch, Kevin Balmforth, The Glenlivet Cask Master, said: “The 55 Year Old is the highest age Scotch ever released from The Glenlivet Distillery, and combined with the incredible talent of Michael, it tells of the timelessness of The Glenlivet. Thanks to decades of collaboration from our team of cask experts, past and present, the introduction of The Eternal Collection represents a monumental moment for whisky connoisseurs and luxury appreciators to add a pivotal piece of Scotch whisky legacy to their collection. It epitomises The Glenlivet’s commitment to excellence within Scotch innovation as we continue to push to creative new heights in single malts.”

All future releases in the Glenlivet Eternal Collection will each be taken from a single cask, and aged for one additional year.

Limited to 100 bottles, The Glenlivet Eternal Collection - First Edition 55 Year Old, will be available later this month from The Whisky Exchange, for a RRP of €50,000.

Posted by Steve Rush