Diageo Announces The Launch Of The 2024 Special Releases Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection

New York, NY (September 30, 2024) – Today, DIAGEO unveils the 2024 Special Releases Single Malt Scotch Whisky collection, a testament to the artistry of craft and flavor exploration. This year's theme, 'Spirited Xchange 2.0' showcases the contemporary perspectives, techniques and unique flavors that define each expression found within the collection. While this is the second installment of the Spirited Xchange theme, it builds on the over two decades long legacy of Special Releases, a collection that continues to celebrate exceptional and rare whiskies.

Spirited Xchange 2.0  reimagines the essence of iconic brands through adventurous cask combinations and unexpected flavor profiles like the collection hasn’t seen before. Each expression in this collection serves as a platform for innovation, demonstrating how curiosity and creativity can be inspired through culture,  flavor and craftsmanship.

‘Spirited Xchange 2.0’ is an exploration into the uncharted territories of taste, crafted under the guidance of Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison. It features eight rare and collectible Single Malts.

Highlights from this year’s collection include Lagavulin ‘Fireside Tales’ Aged 12 Years and Oban ‘Coastal Orchard’ Aged 10 Years, offering brand fans and whisky-lovers alike expressions like they’ve never tasted before. Lagavulin ‘Fireside Tales’ is a rare expression matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon and refill casks that tames its signature smoke into a sweet hush, unveiling a spicy, softer and sweeter side to the king of Islay. Oban ‘Coastal Orchard’ is a refined new expression matured in American Oak and Spanish casks that harmonizes the core character of the distillery with a silky-smooth texture and a delicate floral aroma, making it a perfect whisky for those seeking new realms of flavor and delight.

“Each year, our Special Releases collection showcases hand-selected, distillery-first expressions that push the boundaries of traditional whisky-making. This year's collection is a continuation of the Spirited Xchange that delves deeper into flavor exploration, experimenting with various cask combinations that challenge expectations.

This collection is about curiosity and what happens when you challenge yourself to think ‘what if’. This has led us to explore a variety of exciting maturation techniques, from selecting a novel combination of casks for The Singleton, to taking both Ramandolo white wine and Sangiovese red wine casks to finish Mortlach and bringing a totally new dimension of flavor to its unmistakably umami identity. We are excited for whisky lovers to experience it."

Master Blender, Dr. Stuart Morrison

The 2024 Special Releases Collection features an array of rare, collectable, and one-of-a-kind whiskies that are aged meticulously in sourced barrels from around the world, making it an exceptional gift choice for those who appreciate rare and carefully crafted spirits.

• Lagavulin ‘Fireside Tales’, matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon and refill casks, reveals unexpected depths of sweetness and an enchanting finish. This whisky unfolds a tale of smoke tenderly tamed into a whisper, dressed in subtle fruity notes and powerfully smoky and warming spice finish.
• Oban ‘Coastal Orchard’, this vibrant expression is finished in new fresh charred American Oak barrels that have been freshly seasoned with Oloroso sherry and harmoniously blended with refill casks, creating a liquid featuring aromatic blooms of sweet-spiced apple & sea-salted vanilla.
• Mortlach ‘Midnight Dusk’, finished in sweet Ramandolo white and Sangiovese red wine casks. It drapes the palate with layers of umami and fruit. Its unusual flavor profile makes this an excellent option for the aperitivo moment.
• Talisker ‘Tidal Churn’, captures Talisker distillery's deep-rooted maritime heritage. This expression channels the ocean's dynamic forces, utilizing a stone-spun method. The process, inspired by the ocean's swirling churn, sees the powerful rotations of stone against wood, wearing away the char with stones and water. After the stone spinning, the casks are gently re-toasted, before finishing the whisky. This method reveals new depths of flavor, unveiling a surprising duo of sweet flavors - pear and apple - beneath Talisker's signature maritime smoke.
• The Singleton ‘Autumn Walk’ brings together a combination of casks - ex-bourbon, rejuvenated ex-wine, and refill casks. It is then finished with European Oak and unique Pyrenean Oak cask-ends. The result is a complex and flavorful malt, offering sweet, spicy, and slightly dry notes evocative of an autumnal stroll in the Pyrenees.
• Benrinnes ‘Grand Crescendo’ is the oldest expression in the collection. This 21 Year Old distinguished liquid emerges from a symphony of maturations - American Oak wine casks, European Oak casks, and rejuvenated casks with charred ends.
• Roseisle ‘Origami Kite 2’, this is the second ever expression from the Roseisle distillery, matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon and refill casks. Its smooth, creamy texture carries the craftsmanship and spirit of Roseisle into new dimensions of taste.  
• Caol Ila ‘Ambrosial Feast’, an unusually unpeated expression that intertwines creamy, nutty nuances with a burst of green apple. Matured in refill and rejuvenated ex-wine casks specifically chosen to enhance the distillate's inherent fruity qualities, this whisky reveals the lighter, smoother side of Caol Ila, inviting a reimagining of the Islay classic.

The ‘Spirited Xchange 2.0’ collection is brought to life through our partnership with exceptional talents of photographers such as award-winning Ben Thouard and world-renowned Till Janz, amongst others. Their masterfully captured images transform each whisky's unique character into compelling visual stories that enhance the product concept. These images go beyond mere representation, they are thoughtfully crafted to highlight the distinctiveness of the collection, showcasing the innovative essence and unique appeal of each expression.

The 2024 Special Releases collection will be available in limited quantities from specialist Scotch Whisky retailers and malts.com.

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