Diageo unveils 2016 special releases

Diageo will release ten new whiskies this autumn as part of its special releases programme, including a 40-year-old single grain from Cambus and a £2,500 bottling from Port Ellen, two distilleries which have long closed.

Ten Scotch whiskies, which will make up Diageo’s limited edition, natural cask strength series, will be released later this year in strictly limited quantities. Selected to reflect the very best of Diageo’s Scotch portfolio, highlighting its rare and unusual expressions.

The whiskies selected hail from distilleries still in operation, and those which have long closed, making many sought after collector’s items.

The oldest release in the series is a single grain, 40-year-old whisky produced by the Cambus distillery, which closed in 1993. Less than 2,000 bottles will be made available, with each carrying a price tag of £750.

A 37-year-old bottling produced by Port Ellen, an Islay distillery that closed in 1983, will also be released. However those wishing to get their hands on a bottle will have to dig deep, with the limited edition expression carrying a price tag of £2,500. Just 2,940 bottles are expected to be released worldwide.

Diageo’s Special Releases series was founded in 2001 in response to growing demand for rare and unusual expressions.

A full list of whiskies set to be released as part of Diageo’s 2016 special releases follows:-

AUCHROISK 25 year old
Distilled 1990 ABV 51.2%
Region: Speyside
Max. 3,954 bottles available worldwide
RRP £280

BRORA 38 year old
Distilled 1977 ABV 48.6%
Region: Coastal Highland
Max. 2,984 bottles available worldwide
RRP £1,450

CAMBUS 40 year old
Distilled 1975 ABV 52.7%
Region: Central Lowland
Max. 1,812 bottles available worldwide
RRP £750

CAOL ILA 15 year old
Distilled 2000 ABV 61.5%
Region: Islay
Limited quantities available worldwide
RRP £90

CRAGGANMORE
ABV 55.7%
Region: Speyside
Max. 4,932 bottles available worldwide
RRP £400

GLENKINCHIE 24 year old
Distilled 1991 ABV 57.2%
Region: Lowland
Max. 5,928 bottles available worldwide
RRP £300

LAGAVULIN 12 year old
ABV 57.7%
Region: Islay
Limited quantities available worldwide
RRP £80

LINKWOOD 37 year old
Distilled 1978 ABV 50.3%
Region: Speyside
Max. 6,114 bottles available worldwide
RRP £600

MANNOCHMORE 25 year old
Distilled 1990 ABV 53.4%
Region: Speyside
Max. 3,954 bottles available worldwide
RRP £250

PORT ELLEN 37 year old
Distilled 1978 ABV 55.2%
Region: Islay
Max. 2,940 bottles available worldwide
RRP £2,500