Inasmuch as American whiskies such as those from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection stir up whiskey collectors, so too does the annual Special Releases Collection from Diageo get those who like Scotch super excited and wallet opening ready. Most details were released on nine of the ten bottlings for this year’s offerings earlier this year, and now the spirits company has put forth information on the final expression.
Diageo Cladach is the 10th and final whisky for the 2018 Special Releases Collection. Gaelic for the word “shoreline,” it is a blended malt Scotch whisky, featuring aged product from the Scottish coastal distilleries of Caol Ila, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Oban, Inchgower and Talisker. This bottling is non-age statement in nature.
As for the other releases I’ve rehashed official information for them below, including more information on Cladach, for your consideration. All the whiskies will be released this fall, and it should be noted that, for the first time since the collection’s launch in 2001, Port Ellen and Brora will not be included in the range.
Although Diageo has announced the re-opening of the new Port Ellen & Brora distilleries, the current stocks from the original distilleries are said to be diminishing. As such, they decided to give Port Ellen and Brora “the single-minded focus they deserve. They will still be available to purchase and enjoyed by consumers as annual bottlings. More details will be announced in due course.”
CAOL ILA UNPEATED 15 year old – US SRP: $129
In Brief: Deep gold: mild nose, with the fruity sharpness of green apples and orange zest. Dense, firm and mild at first with a sweet, minty – salty taste, then a freezing heat and a long and warming finish.
- ABV 59.1%
- Region: Islay
- Cask: Refill & Rejuvenated American Oak Hogsheads and Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts
- Limited quantities worldwide
CAOL ILA 35 year old – US SRP: $989
In Brief: Antique gold color, floral and fruity on a fresh-clean, smoky base. Cooling and fluid, with a smooth texture. Starts sweetly and soon dries, with a rising peaty pungency and a spicy-sweet finish.
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- ABV 58.1%
- Region: Islay
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill European Oak Butts
- Number of bottles: 3,276
CARSEBRIDGE 48 year old – US SRP: $959
In Brief: A deep gold color with the delicate, light and balanced nose of a very old grain, then a rich texture, voluptuous mouthfeel and a big, soft , sweet, then gently spicy taste. Long finish.
- ABV 43.2%
- Region: Lowlands
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
- Number of bottles: 1,000
CLADACH – GB SRP: £155
In Brief: Full gold, with a series of coastal aromas that a dash of water brings together superbly; the palate and finish are equally flawless. A whisky that is the very essence of a coastal malt.
- ABV 57.1%
- Region: Coastal
- Cask: First Fill American Oak ex-Bourbon casks, Refill American Oak Hogsheads, Refill European Oak Butts, Ex Bodega European Oak Butts
- Limited availability worldwide
INCHGOWER 27 year old – US SRP: $359
In Brief: Full yellow gold, a complex and surprising malt from a little known yet historic distillery that has retained the distillery character well; nutty and spicy, it is vivacious for its twenty-seven years.
- ABV 55.3%
- Region: Speyside
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
- Number of bottles: 8,544
LAGAVULIN 12 year old – US SRP: $139
In Brief: A vast palette of aromas and flavors awaits, wherever you look on the nose and the palate. Sweet, oily, and salty, then vinegar-dry and drying.
- ABV 57.8%
- Region: Islay
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
- Limited quantities available worldwide
OBAN 21 year old – US SRP: $549
In Brief: Dramatic, brooding and compressed, the nose spans a whole range of senses as it shows malt, fruit, oak, peat and sea-air. The taste is intense and sweet, with some saltiness.
- ABV 57.9%
- Region: Highlands
- Cask: Refill European Oak Butts
- Limited availability worldwide
PITTYVAICH 28 year old – US SRP: $419
In Brief: It takes time to appreciate the full impact of this appetisingly pithy, charred, occasionally sweet Pittyvaich, which is at one and the same time straightforward, yet also full- flavored and forceful, with a long finish and a late, drying, bracing quality.
- ABV 52.1%
- Region: Speyside
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
- Number of bottles: 4,680
THE SINGLETON GLEN ORD 14 year old – GB SRP: £100
In Brief: A classic The Singleton Glen Ord with heightened signature aromas of baked apple and sweet orange fruit, beeswax and spice. Smooth and sumptuous too, on a palate rich in mature fruit notes.
- ABV 57.6%
- Region: Highlands
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads and Ex-Bodega European Oak butts followed by a unique maturation and marrying process
- Limited quantities available worldwide
TALISKER 8 year old – GB SRP: £70
In Brief: Detailed at natural strength, this fine Talisker is smooth, lengthy, integrated and precisely balanced throughout, with a sweet and youthful assuredness.
- ABV 59.4%
- Region: Island
- Cask: First fill Ex-Bourbon American Oak Hogsheads
- Limited availability worldwide
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