Diageo has announced the Australian launch of 2017 Special Releases Collection featuring ten rare limited-edition Scotch whiskies available in strictly limited quantities in Australia in April 2017.
2017 Diageo Special Releases Collection – Photo Supplied
Since it was born in 2001, Diageo’s annual Special Releases series has always been eagerly awaited by whisky enthusiasts, and the 2017 Diageo Special Releases Collection brings some extremely rare and sought-after expressions from some of the rarest and oldest liquids from both classic, little-known, unknown and silent distilleries.
Diageo Special Releases Collection 2017
“The 2017 Special Releases reflect the extraordinary range of stocks our blenders and distillery managers have available to them,” says Simon McGoram, Diageo National Whisky Ambassador. “Always eagerly awaited, we see a continuing demand for unusual, distinctive, unrepeatable natural cask strength bottlings the world over.”
Collectivum XXVIII (57.3% ABV) is a cask strength, non chill filtered blended Malt Scotch Whisky containing whiskies from all 28 active Diageo malt distilleries from Speyside, Islay, Island, Lowland and Highland. The blend of Refill American Oak Hogsheads, Refill European Oak Butts, Ex-Bodega European Oak and First Fill Bourbon Casks offers a flavour profile spectrum that is sweet, spicy, nutty, rich and chocolately. (RRP: $300)
Speyside and Highlands Whisky
From the Speyside and Highlands regions comes three expressions:
Teaninich 17 year old (55.9% ABV) from the Coastal Highlands is the only distillery still using a mash filter. The barley is ground into a finer flour then put into fermentation. the result is an ultra clear wort and delicate flavours akin to Japanese whisky such as apple, hay, honeysuckle. The whisky is aged in Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Barrels. RRP: $550
Glen Elgin 18 year old (54.8% ABV) from Speyside is the result of a long fermentation (75 hours) process and aged in Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts which adds richness, fruitiness and complexity. The winter orchard fruit notes it imparts is a true expression of Speyside and this whisky is available in limited quantities in Australia with only 5,352 bottles worldwide. RRP: $520
Blair Athol 24 year old (58.4% ABV) hails from the Highlands and is the first release from this distillery to make it into the special Releases series. The whisky is the result of a cloudy wort and short fermentation which imparts characteristic nuttiness and sweetness which is ideal for ageing in Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts. Only 5,514 bottles are available worldwide of this complex dram that brings flavours of Christmas cake, dried figs with an earthiness and forest floor savoury note. RRP: $680
Islay Whisky
Two expressions hail from Islay. The first is an unpeated Caol Ila 18 year old (59.8% ABV) aged in Refill American Oak Hogsheads. This sweeter style of whisky brings notes of green apples and boiled lollies. RRP: $175.
Lagavulin 12 year old (56.5% ABV) is aged exclusively in Refill American Oak Hogsheads and is the 12th expression in the range. The combination of peated and fruity notes with stne fruit character is the result of a long fermentation and distillation along with typical Islay maritime notes. RRP: $180
Ghost Distilleries
Moving onto the Ghost Distilleries, Convalmore 32 year old (48.2% ABV) hails from Speyside, a distillery that closed in 1985. This aperitif style/breakfast whisky is aged in Refill American Oak Hogsheads and brings light, herbaceous notes and a hint of menthol. Only 3,972 bottles are available globally. RRP: $2,020
From the Lowlands, Port Dundas 52 year old (ABV 44.6%) was distilled in 1964 and aged in Refill American Oak Hogsheads. The whisky is characterised by a creamy texture, rich chocolate notes along with a notable bourbon influence yet a little dry from the time in oak. Only 752 bottle are available worldwide. RRP: $1,310
Distilled in 1982, Brora 34 year old (ABV 51.9%) is truly an exceptional whisky from the Coastal Highlands. Aged in Refill American Oak Hogshead, its maritime character with hints of smoke interplays with its waxy texture, and some spice such as Szechuan pepper on the finish. Only 3,000 bottles are available worldwide. RRP: $2,800
The jewel of the crown of the 2017 Diageo Special Releases Collection is Port Ellen 37 year old (51% ABV) from Islay. Distilled in 1979 and aged in Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Butts brings elegant smoke, earthiness of damp bark, citric notes, an sweet and smooth oily texture with a waxy peated finish. A truly exceptional and contemplative dram with only 2,988 available worldwide. RRP: $5,000
The Diageo Special Releases Collection 2017 is now available in Australia in strictly limited quantities from specialist whisky retailers.
This article was originally published on April 23, 2018 on our sister website Gourmantic.
