EXCLUSIVE SINGLE MALT WHISKY BOTTLING SERIES CONCLUDES
Diageo completes single-cask bottling of all its malt whiskies

Following earlier batches launched in September, January and April, Diageo are now launching the fourth and final set of their highly exclusive single-cask collection of Single Malt Scotch Whiskies.

Among the seven expressions that feature in this fourth release are some single malts familiar to many malt whisky drinkers  – notably Clynelish™, Knockando™,  and the iconic award-winning Islay malt,  Lagavulin™
But Auchroisk™, Benrinnes™, Blair Athol™ and Linkwood™ normally enjoy only very limited availability.

Each of the whiskies is drawn from one individual oak cask, picked after a careful examination of distillery stocks, and bottled at its natural cask strength.

So now for the first time ever, this ambitious collection encompasses all 27 of Diageo’s Single Malt Scotch Whiskies  –  never before has Scotland’s biggest estate of Single Malt distilleries issued a comprehensive series of single-cask bottlings. Labelled The Managers’ Choice because of the way the whiskies were selected, each distillery is represented by a special bottling of its Single Malt Whisky.

The rare limited-edition series is aimed at collectors and connoisseurs who enjoy owning and exploring an unusual expression of their favourite Single Malt or even a whole anthology of highly individual Single Malts, chosen to represent a unique take on each of the 27 distilleries’ distinctive distillery character.

The releases have been staged in four batches over several months, starting in September 2009 and concluding with this final release in May 2010.
For each Single Malt, the cask was nosed, tasted, discussed and finally chosen as a highly distinctive expression of that distillery’s Single Malt by a judging panel of acknowledged experts, including leading maturation experts and the distillery managers themselves.

In many cases, unusual cask woods will have had their influence on the final result. Perfect maturation and spirit quality have been the criteria, resulting in a bottling that delights with original and sometimes unexpected flavours whilst allowing the distillery character to still shine through.

Depending on the size of the cask and the rate of evaporation over the years since it was filled, the volume of bottles obtained from the chosen casks can vary between approximately 640 and as little as 200. These are, consequently, extremely rare and distinctive whiskies.

Classic Malts Selection™ spokesperson Nick Morgan said: “ This unique series of bottlings has provoked a great deal of interest and favourable comment. This last selection of whiskies has been much anticipated because it includes a cask from the renowned Lagavulin distillery on Islay. But as before, each of the bottlings offers unexpected insights into the character of each distillery.

“Taken as a whole they offer an unrepeatable opportunity to explore some of Scotland’s finest whiskies, all of which intrigue and delight, and some of which are simply outstanding.”

Full details, including tasting notes, are displayed on the Classic Malts Selection™ website www.malts.com. The updated website content includes the story of The Managers’ Choice and the selection process, a “Meet the Managers” page where they talk about The Managers Choice collection & questions related to the world of whisky, whisky tasting notes & audio, Q&A with a Sensory Expert, and details of where to buy the whiskies. Whisky enthusiasts registered as Friends of the Classic Malts™ have been given early notice of the launch.

Bottling Details

Auchroisk  Cask 11323 Speyside 8th October 1999 622 @ 61.0%
 Bodega sherry European oak Butter scotch nose, with sweet, deep burnt flavours.

Benrinnes  Cask 8994 Speyside 26th August 1996 328 @ 59.7% Refill American oak Light Speyside flavours with a sweet, delicate yet fresh taste.

Clynelish Cask 4341 Northern Highland 10th April 1997 232 @ 58.8% First fill bourbon American oak Oily, nutty with a hint of vanilla.

Glendullan  Cask 12718 Speyside 13th December 1995 635 @ 59.2% European oak Rich and sweet with a gentle almond butter finish.

Glenlossie  Cask 14098 Speyside   15th December 1999 207 @59.3% abv First fill bourbon American oak Light and fresh with a lemon zest.

Knockando  Cask 800790 Speyside 11th July 1996 599 @ 58.6% Spanish sherry European oak Gentle and smooth  with honeyed fruit.

Lagavulin  Cask 4447 Islay 25th October 1993 597 @ 54.7% Bodega sherry European oak Smooth rich fruit aroma. Smoky with a gentle warm finish.

Prices The UK RRP are as follows:

Lagavulin £300
Clynelish  £250
Knockando £250
Auchroisk £200
Benrinnes £200
Glenlossie £200
Glendullan £200

Website

See www.malts.com for full details of the release, including interviews with many of those involved in the selection process.

Previous releases

September 2009 saw the first release of six malts: Cardhu™ (1997), Glen Elgin™ (1998), Linkwood™ (1996), Mortlach™ (1997), Oban™ (2000) and Teaninich™ (1996).

The second release in January 2010 comprised Blair Athol™ (1995), Cragganmore™ (1997), Dalwhinnie™ (1992), Dufftown™ (1997), Glen Spey™ (1996), Strathmill™ (1996), and Talisker™ (1994).

The third release in April 2010 comprised Caol Ila™ (1997), Dailuaine™ (1997), Glen Ord™ (1997), Glenkinchie™ (1992), Inchgower™ (1993), Mannochmore™ (1998) and Royal Lochnagar™ (1994).

Diageo’s distilleries

Diageo has 28 operational single malt whisky distilleries, but spirit distilled at Diageo’s new distillery at Roseisle is not available yet.

Craig Wallace

Full interview with Craig Wallace, and other details of the first Managers’ Choice releases, can be read and downloaded from: ResponseSource: http://tinyurl.com/lawdxf

Distribution

The Managers’ Choice bottlings are available from specialist retailers in the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Benelux only.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

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The Classic Malts, The Classic Malts Selection, Auchroisk, Benrinnes, Blair Athol, Caol Ila, Cardhu, Clynelish, Cragganmore, Dailuaine, Dalwhinnie, Dufftown, Glen Elgin, Glen Ord, Glen Spey, Glendullan, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie, Inchgower, Knockando, Lagavulin, Linkwood, Mannochmore, Mortlach, Oban, Royal Lochnagar, Strathmill, Talisker and Teaninich words and associated logos are trade marks. © 2010