Diageo, the world’s biggest producer of spirits, has announced ten impeccable, meticulously crafted, limited-edition Scotch Whiskies will be released in strictly limited quantities in Australia this April as part of Diageo’s annual Special Releases Collection.
The Special Releases Collection is a hand-selected range of some of the rarest and oldest cask- strength bottlings from distinguished, lesser known and even closed distilleries.
Highly-sought after and anticipated worldwide, the annual collection is curated by a masterful blending team who ensure each bottle encompasses a fragment of Scotch Whisky history and reflects the stories of the people, places and craftmanship that make Scotch Whisky so special.
The 2019 Special Releases Collection is made for knowledgeable whisky fans and Scotch novices alike and celebrates a year of firsts including: a debut of INCHGOWER 27 year old bottling; CAOL ILA 35 year old, the oldest bottling ever produced from the distiller; and THE SINGLETON GLEN ORD 14 year old which is triple matured using an ingenious five cask process. The Collection also sees CLADACH, a unique blend of six renowned coastal distilleries – Caol Ila, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Oban, Inchgower and Talisker; as well as the oldest bottling from CARSEBRIDGE, an exceptionally rare 48 year old grain whisky that has resulted in just 1,000 bottles being released. In addition, the Special Releases Collection features unique releases from popular distilleries including TALISKER 8 year old and OBAN 21 year old whilst a classic LAGAVULIN 12 year old, CAOL ILA UNPEATED 15 year old and PITTYVAICH 28 year old complete the beautifully crafted selection.
“The launch of the Diageo Special Releases Collection is an incredibly special time of year for Scotch Whisky and has become one of the most highly anticipated launches on the whisky calendar,” says Simon McGoram, National Whisky Ambassador for Diageo.
“Many of the releases within the collection are extremely rare and some are from ‘ghost’ [closed] distilleries, making this one of the few chances for both knowledgeable whisky fans and those wanting to explore the flavours of Scotch to own and discover an exceptional collection.
“We’ve seen the demand for rare and unique Single Malt Scotch Whisky bottlings increase exponentially over the past decade which is why we’re so excited about making this range accessible to everyone. The collection is priced to suit a variety of budgets, so there really is a whisky for all to savour, invest in, collect or gift.
The Diageo Special Releases Collection is available for purchase in Whisky Specialist venues and stores from April, pending availability. For more information, visit www.malts.com
Special Releases 2019 List
CAOL ILA UNPEATED 15 year old
In Brief: Deep gold: mild nose, with the fruity sharpness of green apples and orange zest. Dense, firm and mild at first with a sweet, minty – salty taste, then a freezing heat and a long and warming finish. ABV 59.1%
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill & Rejuvenated American Oak Hogsheads and Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts
Limited quantities worldwide.
RRP: $179.99 AUD
CAOL ILA 35 year old
In Brief: Antique gold colour, floral and fruity on a fresh-clean, smoky base. Cooling and fluid, with a smooth texture. Starts sweetly and soon dries, with a rising peaty pungency and a spicy-sweet finish. ABV 58.1%
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill European Oak Butts
Worldwide no of bottles: 3,276
RRP: $1249.99 AUD
CARSEBRIDGE 48 year old
In Brief: A deep gold colour with the delicate, light and balanced nose of a very old grain, then a rich texture, voluptuous mouthfeel and a big, soft, sweet, then gently spicy taste. Long finish.
ABV 43.2%
Region: Lowlands
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Worldwide No. of bottles: 1,000
RRP: $1349.99 AUD
CLADACH
In Brief: Full gold, with a series of coastal aromas that a dash of water brings together superbly; the palate and finish are equally flawless. A whisky that is the very essence of a coastal malt.
ABV 57.1%
Region: Coastal
Cask: First Fill American Oak ex-Bourbon casks, Refill American Oak Hogsheads, Refill European Oak Butts, Ex Bodega European Oak Butts
Limited availability worldwide
RRP: $249.99
INCHGOWER 27 year old
In Brief: Full yellow gold, a complex and surprising malt from a little known yet historic distillery that has retained the distillery character well; nutty and spicy, it is vivacious for its twenty-seven years.
ABV 55.3%
Region: Speyside
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Worldwide No of bottles: 8,544
RRP: $499.99 AUD
LAGAVULIN 12 year old
In Brief: A vast palette of aromas and flavours awaits, wherever you look on the nose and the palate. Sweet, oily, and salty, then vinegar-dry and drying.
ABV 57.8%
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Limited quantities available worldwide
RRP: $179.99 AUD
OBAN 21 year old
In Brief: Dramatic, brooding and compressed, the nose spans a whole range of senses as it shows malt, fruit, oak, peat and sea- air. The taste is intense and sweet, with some saltiness.
ABV 57.9%
Region: Highlands
Cask: Refill European Oak Butts
Limited availability worldwide
RRP: $824.99 AUD
PITTYVAICH 28 year old
In Brief: It takes time to appreciate the full impact of this appetisingly pithy, charred, occasionally sweet Pittyvaich, which is at one and the same time straightforward, yet also full- flavoured and forceful, with a long finish and a late, drying, bracing quality.
ABV 52.1%
Region: Speyside
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Worldwide No of bottles: 4,680
RRP: $499.99 AUD
THE SINGLETON GLEN ORD 14 year old
In Brief: A classic The Singleton Glen Ord with heightened signature aromas of baked apple and sweet orange fruit, beeswax and spice. Smooth and sumptuous too, on a palate rich in mature fruit notes. ABV 57.6%
Region: Highlands
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads and Ex-Bodega European Oak butts followed by a unique maturation and marrying process
Limited quantities available worldwide
RRP: $179.99 AUD
TALISKER 8 year old
In Brief: Detailed at natural strength, this fine Talisker is smooth, lengthy, integrated and precisely balanced throughout, with a sweet and youthful assuredness.
ABV 59.4%
Region: Island
Cask: First fill Ex-Bourbon American Oak Hogsheads
Limited availability worldwide
RRP: $129.99 AUD
