Diageo’s 2023 Special Releases Scotch Whiskies Announced

Diageo recently unveiled its Spirited Xchange Special Releases Scotch Whisky Collection, “celebrating the journey of Scotch, countries and cultures around the world.” Drawing from Diageo’s large number of Scotch distilleries, Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison selected eight single malts for his inaugural Special Releases collection.

“This year, we’re proudly revealing our new series of distillery-first expressions: Spirited Xchange Special Releases 2023,” said Morrison in a prepared statement. “For me, Spirited Xchange is about identifying and celebrating the ideas, flavours, and tastes that surround us each day and inspire our curiosity to create.

“This collection has given us the opportunity to roam freely through our vast portfolio and experiment with old and new cask types, including various wine and local spirits casks to create eight one-of-a-kind expressions that we’ve never imagined before.”

The Spirited Xchange offerings sport what’s described as “intricate and alluring pack designs, illustrated by eight artists across the globe The artworks are visual tasting notes, placing the expression at the centre of the experience and exploring the flavours that emerge from the local spirit casks.”

 More official details on each are below.

• Mortlach ‘The Katana’s Edge’, finished in ex-Kanosuke Japanese whisky and ex-Pinot Noir casks, is illustrated with a golden gleam that represents the flash of umami that cuts through the ripe, fruity sweetness of this stunning expression. 
• The Singleton (14 years) ‘The Silken Gown’, finished in rich Chardonnay de Bourgogne French Oak casks, brims with warm toffee and rippling layers of buttery golden fruit, characterized by textures of a luminous and enchanting silk gown. 
• Talisker ‘The Wild Explorador’, finished in a combination of White, Tawny and Ruby Port Casks, celebrates the sea with currents of spice and waves of dark fruit, finished with a splash of sea salt, embodied by an iconic Portuguese vessel. 
• Lagavulin  (12 years) ‘The Ink of Legends’, honours the ancient art of tattooing using impressive illustrative strokes and highly saturated colours. Lagavulin’s renowned smokiness is given the Special Releases treatment, masterfully finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks, the resulting whisky is a stunning blend of bright herbs and juicy plums. 
• Roseisle (12 years) distillery is proud to join the Special Releases collection for the first time with its first public release: ‘The Origami Kite’, etched with sweet vanilla notes and a touch of molasses. 
• Glenkinchie ‘The Floral Treasure’ 27 Year Old expression is one of its most mature bottlings to date, carrying lush floral aromas and sweet flavours resembling a Spring morning. 
• Oban (11 years) ‘The Soul of Calypso’ epitomises the essence of the vivid energy of Caribbean culture with vibrant flavours of tropical fruit mango and sugar cane emerging from the Caribbean pot still rum casks. 
• Clynelish (10 years) ‘The Jazz Crescendo’ is a dulcet symphony of vanilla spice and smooth caramel notes, flowing from its exclusive maturation in ex-bourbon American Oak casks. 

 The 2023 Special Releases collection is available in limited quantities starting now.