A 40-year-old Cambus single grain and 37-year-old Port Ellen, the oldest expression from the closed Islay distillery, are among Diageo’s 2016 Special Releases.
Ten Scotch whiskies are to be released this autumn from operational and silent distilleries, all of which have been chosen as model examples of the Diageo Scotch portfolio.
The oldest release in this year’s series is Cambus 40-year-old, a single grain whisky from the Diageo-owned distillery that closed in 1993, carrying a price tag of £750.
The 2016 Special Releases also feature a 37-year-old bottling of Port Ellen, the silent distillery’s 16th appearance in the range and the oldest expression released to date. This year’s bottling will set purchasers back £2,500, £100 more than last year’s 32-year-old expression.
Also returning for another year is an unpeated Caol Ila, this time as a 15-year-old, and Lagavulin 12-year-old.
Dr Nick Morgan, head of whisky outreach at Diageo, said: ‘The unveiling of the Special Releases range is a moment I look forward to year after year.
‘The variety and quality of whiskies in the collection is simply fantastic, and once again we’re confident enthusiasts will discover new favourites in unusual and rare releases.’
Diageo’s Special Releases series was created in 2001 in response to growing demand for rare and unusual expressions.
The Diageo 2016 Special Releases include:
Auchroisk 25-year-old, 51.2% abv
Distilled 1990
Availability: 3,954 bottles worldwide
RRP: £280
Brora 38-year-old, 48.6% abv
Distilled 1977
Availability: 2,984 bottles worldwide
RRP: £1,450
Cambus 40-year-old, 52.7% abv
Distilled 1975
Availability: 1,812 bottles worldwide
RRP: £750
Caol Ila unpeated 15-year-old, 61.5% abv
Distilled 2000
Availability: Limited quantities worldwide
RRP: £90
Cragganmore (NAS), 55.7% abv
Availability: 4,932 bottles worldwide
RRP: £400
Glenkinchie 24-year-old, 57.2% abv
Distilled 1991
Availability: 5,928 bottles worldwide
RRP: £300
Lagavulin 12-year-old, 57.7% abv
Availability: Limited quantities worldwide
RRP: £80
Linkwood 37-year-old, 50.3% abv
Distilled 1978
Availability: 6,114 bottles worldwide
RRP: £600
Mannochmore 25-year-old, 53.4% abv
Distilled 1990
Availability: 3,954 bottles worldwide
RRP: £250
Port Ellen 37-year-old, 55.2% abv
Distilled 1978
Availability: 2,940 bottles worldwide
RRP: £2,500
