Inbox Special - Diageo Special Releases 2013

Around this time each year, there is always a ripple of anticipation around the whisky industry as people wait to see what Diageo, Scotland's largest producer of single malt whisky, are to release in their annual Special Releases programme.

 This programme is designed to showcase some of the most exceptional single malt stock from within their portfolio of 28 working distilleries, plus remaining stocks from those which have been closed. Some of these stocks have dwindled to almost critical levels. Now the waiting is over for this year, as they have announced the line up and details for the Special Releases 2013.  They will be available from late October.

This year's selection of whiskies (pictured, above) are bottled at the natural cask strength, are non chill filtered and all are limited edition. The collection again places well known flagship distilleries, such as Cardhu, Lagavulin and Talisker, alongside very rare stock from the iconic closed distilleries of Brora and Port Ellen. The details are below ...

Brora 35 years old

• Distilled in 1977. 
• Brora closed in 1983, was located in north Highland town of same name.
• Matured in a combination of refill American oak and European oak.
• Bottled at 49.9% ABV.
• 2,944 individually numbered bottles.
• Recommended price - £750.

Caol Ila Stitchell Reserve

• Named after Billy Stitchell, the Distillery Manager of Caol Ila on the island of Islay.
• Matured in a combination of refill American oak, rejuvenated American oak and ex-bodega European oak.
• An unpeated version of Caol Ila.
• Bottled at 59.6% ABV.
• Recommended price - £70.

Cardhu 21 years old

• Distilled in 1991.
• Cardhu is located in the Speyside region, close to the village of Archiestown.
• Matured in ex-bourbon European oak casks.
• Bottled at 54.2% ABV.
• 6,000 individually numbered bottles.
• Recommended price - £160.

Convalmore 36 years old

• Distilled in 1977.
• Convalmore closed in 1985, was located in Dufftown in Speyside.
• Matured in refill European oak.
• Bottled at 58% ABV.
• 2,980 individually numbered bottles.
• Recommended price - £600.

Lagavulin 12 years old

• Matured in refill American oak.
• Lagavulin is located on the southern coast of the famous whisky island of Islay.
• Bottled at 55.1% ABV.
• Recommended price - £80.

Lagavulin 37 years old

• Distilled in 1976.
• The oldest expression of Lagavulin ever released by Diageo.
• Matured in a combination of refill American oak and European oak.
• Bottled at 51% ABV.
• 1,868 individually numbered bottles.
• Recommended price - £1,950.

Oban 21 years old

• Matured in rejuvenated American oak and second fill ex-bodega casks. 
• Distillery located in the west Highland coastal town of Oban.
• Bottled at 58.5% ABV.
• 2,860 individually numbered bottles.
• Recommended price - £225.

Port Ellen 34 years old

• Distilled in 1978 - the oldest expression ever released by Diageo.
• Matured in a combination of refill American oak and European oak.
• Port Ellen closed in 1983 and was located in the south of the island of Islay.
• Bottled at 55% ABV.
• 2,958 individually numbered bottles.
• Recommended price - £1,500.

Singleton of Dufftown 28 years old

• Distilled in 1985.
• Matured in refill American oak.
• The distillery is located in the famous whisky town of Dufftown.
• Bottled at 52.3% ABV.
• 3,816 individually numbered bottles.
• Recommended price - £235.

Talisker 1985

• Matured in refill American oak casks.
• Bottled at 27 years of age and 56.1 ABV.
• Talisker is the only distillery on the Hebridean island of Skye.
• 3,000 individually numbered cartons.
• Recommended price - £475.