Diageo has unveiled its annual Special Releases Collection for 2019, featuring ten limited-edition Scotch whiskies from distinguished, lesser known and even closed distilleries.
The 2019 release marks a year of firsts in Diageo’s history, including a debut of a 27-year-old bottling from little known distillery Inchgower, a Caol Ila 35 year old – the oldest bottling every produced by the distillery – and the Singleton Glen Ord 14 year old which is triple matured using an “ingenious” five cask process.
The collection also includes Cladach, a unique blend of six 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 is limited to just 1000 bottles.
In addition, the Special Releases Collection for 2019 features unique releases from popular distilleries including Talisker (8 year old) and Oban (21 year old), while a classic Lagavulin 12 year old, Caol Ila unpeated 15 year old and a Pittyvaich 28 year old round out the collection.
“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.
Also, to celebrate the launch and for the first time ever, Diageo is inviting whisky lovers to try and win the rare collection – worth over $5000 – by deciphering clues and unlocking a three-pin code located on a ‘grand pedestal’ at Customs House in Sydney.
A set of clues will be released throughout the day at 8am, midday and 3pm this Thursday 14 March at Customs House for participants attempting to decipher the code.
