Impeccably crafted flavours of Scotland: Diageo introduces the 2017 Special Releases Collection

Ten impeccable limited edition Scotch Whiskies will be released in limited quantities this autumn, as part of Diageo’s annual Special Releases collection. Highly anticipated by enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, the limited edition natural cask strength bottlings are rigorously selected each year, to form a rare and sought after collection.

For the first time ever, a limited edition Blended Malt Scotch Whisky containing whiskies from all twenty-eight active Diageo distilleries has been released. The COLLECTIVUM XXVIII is the tenth bottle to make up the Special Releases collection and the fourth NAS Malt Whisky in this series to date. Clear amber in appearance, the liquid is described as ‘enjoying real depth’ with a palate ‘all the way from dry and nutty to rich and chocolatey, with zestiness and sweetness.’

Meticulously crafted and beautifully packaged, the collection comprises some of the rarest and oldest liquids from both classic and unknown, closed distilleries. Each whisky within the range offers complex flavours of the highest quality, delivering truly memorable taste experiences for those lucky enough to drink them.

The 2017 Special Releases collection offers an extra special and rare gift alternative for this Christmas, with the whiskies in the range retailing from £90 for the LAGAVULIN 12 year old, to £2,625 for the PORT ELLEN 37 year old.

Dr Nick Morgan, Diageo’s Head of Whisky Outreach said: “The Special Releases range is always a highlight in our calendar year, it reflects the truly extraordinary range of stocks our blenders have available to them. The variety and quality of whiskies in the collection is simply impeccable. We’re looking forward to sharing this year’s collection with the world and in particular keen to see the response to the new COLLECTIVUM XXVIII.”

The PORT DUNDAS 52 year old is the oldest whisky ever released in the series, as well as the oldest bottle to ever be released by the Port Dundas distillery. The second release from the original distiller’s stocks, this is the fourth time a Single Grain Scotch Whisky has been included in an annual release. The liquid is described as ‘an excellent example of a very old grain… astonishingly rich and complex’. The GLEN ELGIN 18 year old has also made a welcome return to the range this year, a third release in this series, crafted from ex- Bodega European oak butts.

Each whisky in the 2017 Special Releases range is a limited edition, rare bottling, with four originating from closed distilleries. These whiskies have been crafted to deliver memorable taste experiences unlike any other, to be cherished and enjoyed responsibly.

Distribution/Availability

Autumn 2017, from specialist retailers in Northern Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and selected Asian markets.

List of 2017 Special Releases

BLAIR ATHOL 24 year old

Distilled 1993 ABV 58.4%

Region: Highlands

Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts

Max. 5,514 available worldwide

BRORA 34 year old

Distilled: 1982 ABV 51.9%

Region: Coastal Highlands

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Max. 3,000 available worldwide

CAOL ILA 18 year old

ABV 59.8%

Region: Islay

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Limited quantities available worldwide

COLLECTIVUM XXVIII

Distilled: NAS ABV: 57.3%

Region: Speyside, Islay, Island, Lowland, Highland

Cask: Blend of Refill American Oak Hogsheads, Refill European Oak Butts, Ex-Bodega European Oak and First Fill Bourbon Casks

Limited quantities available worldwide

CONVALMORE 32 year old

Distilled: 1984 ABV 48.2%

Region: Speyside

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Max. 3,972 available worldwide

GLEN ELGIN 18 year old

Distilled: 1998 ABV 54.8%

Region: Speyside

Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts

Max. 5,352 available worldwide

LAGAVULIN 12 year old

ABV 56.5%

Region: Islay

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Limited quantities available worldwide

PORT DUNDAS 52 year old

Distilled: 1964 ABV 44.6%

Region: Lowlands

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads

Max. 752 available worldwide

PORT ELLEN 37 year old

Distilled: 1979 ABV 51%

Region: Islay

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill

American Oak Butts

Max. 2,988 available worldwide

TEANINICH 17 year old

Distilled: 1999 ABV: 55.9%

Region: Coastal Highlands

Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Barrels

Limited quantities available worldwide

About the 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 rarer 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.

Blair Athol, Brora, Caol Ila, Collectivum XXVIII, Convalmore, Glen Elgin, Lagavulin, Port Dundas, Port Ellen, Teaninich

About Diageo

DIAGEO

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold 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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