Diageo announces 2017 Special Releases

Diageo has named nine of the 10 whiskies from the 2017 edition of its Special Releases collection, which will be revealed in full this autumn.

Diageo has named nine of the 10 whiskies from the 2017 edition of its Special Releases collection

Ten Scotch whiskies including are to be released in strictly limited quantities as part of Diageo’s ongoing Special Releases programme.

Nick Morgan, head of whisky outreach at Diageo, says the highly anticipated annual collection of rare whiskies from across Scotland has become “the worst kept secret in malts”.

“One of our most cherished moments in the whisky calendar is the annual announcement of the Diageo Special Releases collection – a group of limited edition and natural cask strength whiskies that are highly anticipated around the world and revered for their quality and collect ability,” he said.

“So highly awaited are the releases, you may have noticed that we struggle to keep them under lock and key. Special Releases has rapidly become the worst kept secret in malts due to your enthusiasm and dedication to the collection”.

This year’s selection features a 52-year-old expression from the silent Port Dundas distillery in the Lowlands, and a 32-year-old whisky from the now-mothballed Convalmore distillery in Speyside.

“We look forward to raising a dram with you later on this year to celebrate the launch of the 2017 collection,” Morgan added.

Click through the following pages to preview Diageo’s Special Releases 2017.

Last year’s line-up included a 40-year-old Cambus and the oldest Port Ellen ever released – click here for a recap of Diageo’s Special Releases 2016.

The Caol Ila distillery on Islay

Blair Athol 23 Year Old
Distilled: 1993
ABV: 58.4%
Region: Highlands
Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts
No of bottles: 5,514

Brora 34 Year Old
Distilled: 1982
ABV: 51.9%
Region: Coastal Highlands
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
No of bottles: 3,000

Caol Ila 18 Year Old
ABV: 59.8%
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Limited quantities available worldwide

The now-mothballed Convalmore distillery in Speyside

Convalmore 32 Year Old
Distilled: 1984
ABV: 48.2%
Region: Speyside
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
No of bottles: 3,972

Glen Elgin 18 Year Old
Distilled: 1998
ABV: 54.8%
Region: Speyside
Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts
No of bottles: 5,352

Lagavulin 12 Year Old
ABV: 56.5%
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Limited quantities available worldwide

The Teaninich distillery based in Alness, Ross-shire in the Highlands

Port Dundas 52 Year Old
Distilled: 1964
ABV: 44.6%
Region: Lowlands
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
No of bottles: 752

Port Ellen 37 Year Old
Distilled: 1979
ABV: 51%
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Butts
No of bottles: 2,988

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