Diageo unveils rare Scotch whisky collection

Diageo has revealed details about its 2014 Special Releases range of rare single malt Scotch whiskies, which include a 35-year-old Port Ellen and NAS Clynelish

Diageo’s 2014 Special Releases of Scotch single malt whisky contains some extremely rare liquid

This year’s collection features 11 single malt whiskies sourced from Diageo’s distilleries across Scotland, both operating and mothballed.

Among the range is Port Ellen 35 Year Old, a whisky distilled in 1978 and matured in refill American and European oak barrels.

As Port Ellen closed in 1983, its liquid has become among the rarest Scotch whiskies in the world, although this year’s release marks the distillery’s 14^th appearance in Diageo’s Special Releases.

Dr Nick Morgan, head of whisky outreach at Diageo, said: “I’m astonished that each year we manage to find such a remarkable and varied range of single malt Scotch whiskies for our Special Releases.

“Tasting this year’s I was struck by the outstanding range of tastes and textures they deliver, from the characteristically waxy Clynelish to complex Cragganmore, the surprisingly robust Benrinnes, and the relaxed smokiness of Caol Ila. And I know experts and enthusiasts alike will be equally delighted.”

The 2014 Special Releases will be rolled out to specialist retailers in Northern Europe, US and select Asian markets in late October.

Flick through the following pages to uncover the expressions in this year’s series.

The Singleton of Glendullan 38 Year Old

Age: 38

ABV: 59.8%

Bottles: 3,756

Cask type: Refill European oak

Tasting notes: Mango, orange juice, shortbread, waxy, vanilla, creamy toffee, cranberry.

RRP: £750

Distilled in 1975, this expression of The Singleton has been maturing for 38 years in refill European oak casks. Surprisingly it has lost little of its alcohol content to the angels’ share, and has been bottled at a cask strength of 59.8%.

This is the first time The Singleton of Glendullan, which normally retails in the US, has been featured among the Special Releases.

Strathmill 25 Year Old

Age: 25

ABV: 52.4%

Bottles: 2,700

Cask type: Refill American oak

Tasting notes: Green apple skins, liquorice, dried fruit, aniseed and cloves.

RRP: £275

Strathmill is only currently available as a 12 Year Old as part of the Flora and Fauna range, and this rare 25-year-old expression, distilled in 1988, is the first appearance for the brand in the Special Releases.

Rosebank 21 Year Old

Age: 21

ABV: 55.3%

Bottles: 4,530

Cask type: Refill American oak

Tasting notes: Crystallised fruit, vanilla, raisins and milk chocolate with a creamy mouth feel.

RRP: £300

This expression of Rosebank, which closed in 1993, was distilled in 1992.

Port Ellen 35 Year Old

Age: 35

ABV: 56.5%

Bottles: 2,964

Cask type: Refill American and European oak

Tasting notes: Complex and woody starting with rich fruit and honeyed sweetness moving into some saltiness and spice.

RRP: £2,200

One of the regular expressions in the annual Special Releases, this year’s 35-year-old Port Ellen was distilled in 1978.

Lagavulin 12 Year Old

Age: 12

ABV: 54.4%

Bottles: 31,428

Cask type: Refill American oak

Tasting notes: Oily and sweet with barley sugar and citrus zest notes cut with fried bacon smoke.

RRP: £80

A classic from the Islay distillery whose youngest core expression is a 16-year-old. This is a chance to sample Lagavulin at a younger, fresher age.

Cragganmore 25 Year Old

Age: 25

ABV: 51.4%

Bottles: 3,372

Cask type: Refill American oak with virgin oak ends

Tasting notes: Warm and spicy with notes of heather, honey and banana.

RRP: £299

The new virgin oak ends on these barrels give this expression of Cragganmore a spicy edge with plenty of vanilla and fudge notes.

Clynelish Select Reserve

Age: NAS

ABV: 54.9%

Bottles: 2,964

Cask type: Refill American and European oak

Tasting notes: Complex and rich, waxy notes of orange skin, peaches, butterscotch, giving way to coastal saltiness, cedar and bitter cocoa.

RRP: £500

The youngest whisky in this spectacular Clynelish is a 16-year-old, although the average age of the liquid is “significantly higher”, hence the no-age-statement. This whisky demonstrates the skill of the blender in harmonising several single malts together, which can be much harder than with a blend.

Caol Ila Unpeated 15 Year Old

Age: 15

ABV: 60.39%

Bottles: 10,668

Cask type: First-fill American oak

Tasting notes: Pear drops, citrus zest, ginger spice, marshmallow vanilla, mint chocolate.

RRP: £75

This rare, unpeated version of an Islay classic demonstrates the distillery’s clean maritime character with fresh and light flavours.

Caol Ila 30 Year Old

Age: 30

ABV: 55.1%

Bottles: 7,638

Cask type: Refill American and European oak

Tasting notes: Grass, pine, vegetal, bonfire smoke, tobacco

RRP: £425

This edition was distilled in 1983 and marks a return to an ultra-premium expression for the Islay distillery in the Special Releases, following the NAS expression last year.

Brora 35 Year Old

Age: 35

ABV: 48.6%

Bottles: 2,964

Cask type: Refill American and European oak

Tasting notes: Ripe autumn fruits with some smokiness and chocolate cake with a light, oily mouth feel.

RRP: £1,200

Another regular in Diageo’s Special Releases, this year’s Brora was distilled in 1978.

Benrinnes 21 Year Old

Age: 21

ABV: 56.9%

Bottles: 2,892

Cask type: European oak

Tasting notes: Big and meaty with notes of Bovril, and rich, bitter chocolate torte.

RRP: £240