Diageo unveils 2019 Special Releases

Diageo has named the eight whiskies in its 2019 Special Releases collection, which celebrates the surroundings of each Scotch distillery in the range.

Full details of Diageo’s 2019 Special Releases will be unveiled soon

The Johnnie Walker maker has teased the launch of this year’s much-awaited Special Releases range, which features eight limited edition whiskies, as opposed to the usual 10.

Selected by master blender Dr Craig Wilson, the 2019 Special Releases follows the theme of ‘Rare by Nature’. Each expression is said to deliver a “different journey of discovery” and connects to a “particular part of Scotland” and the people who shaped it.

The group of “one-of-a-kind” whiskies comprises: Mortlach 26 Year Old, The Singleton Glen Ord 18 Years Old, Cragganmore 12 Years Old, Cardhu 14 Years Old, Lagavulin 12 Years Old, Talisker 15 Years Old, Pittyvaich 29 Years Old and Dalwhinnie 30 Years Old.

Cardhu 14 Years Old is described as an “elegant and unique” expression while the “complex” Cragganmore 12 Years Old combines “Speyside elegance with a touch of spice and smoke”.

The Dalwhinnie 30 Years Old is described as an “extra matured and unusual older expression, which retains its undeniably gentle character”.

The collection also includes the “youthful” Lagavulin 12 Years Old, a “most impressive” Mortlach 26 Years Old, and a “mature and smooth” 29-year-old single malt from the silent Pittyvaich distillery.

Rounding off the series is a “sweet, yet deep and spicy” Talisker 15 Years Old layered with maritime flavours, and The Singleton of Glen Ord 18 Years Old, which is described as a “different and delicious spicier expression previously never bottled”.

Diageo will reveal details of pricing, full tasting notes and availability soon.