Scotch whisky leader Diageo has paused its annual Special Releases collection with immediate effect, meaning the 2026 edition has been cancelled. The move hits collectors during the October-November window when the drinks giant usually reveals its new line-up.
As reported by The Spirits Business, Diageo said the company is taking “the time to review feedback to ensure that any future offerings meet the current needs of its consumers and customers”. It has paused the collection for the year, it said, with no confirmation of a return in 2027 yet.
Diageo’s Special Releases began in 2001, offering collectors rare, cask-strength expressions from across its distillery portfolio. Port Ellen featured from the outset, with Brora joining in 2002. Both became annual fixtures until 2017, when plans to reopen the closed distilleries were announced.
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READ THE STORYLagavulin and Talisker also became mainstays, appearing 24 and 22 times respectively. In 2019, Diageo introduced themed collections with coordinated artwork, shifting the focus towards unusual cask treatments and flavour experimentation. The 2025 Special Releases, named Horizons Unbound, contained whiskies from The Singleton of Glen Ord, Tasliker, Lagavulin, Oban, Clynelish, Roseisle, Dailuaine, and Teaninich.
The latest news comes just months after Diageo reported a plummet in profits, despite Scotch whisky holding firm. For the year ended June 30, 2026, Diageo reported a 27.2% drop in operating profit to $3.16 billion (£2.37bn), after exceptional charges of $2.53bn (£1.9bn). The North American market saw organic net sales fall 8.4%.
At the time, Sir Dave Lewis, CEO, said: “We are focused on recovering our competitiveness in NAM [North America] and we are working through the consequences of Government policy in Chinese white spirits.”
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Lewis is currently overseeing the restructuring of the company. The redesigned operating framework should deliver around $850m (£638m) of savings, with about 40% coming in fiscal 2027 and the rest in fiscal 2028.
The changes have also caused friction. In August, the union GMB Scotland accused the company of refusing to consult with workers over potential job losses at distilleries in Scotland.
