So here they are, ten new bottlings that make up the Diageo Special Releases 2018. They will be launched in limited quantities this autumn but like last year they are anticipating leaks by simply bringing the news early.
Nine out of ten special releases are now disclosed, one is kept back as a secret (last year this was Collectivum XVIII). Update: this is Cladach (gaelic for coastline), a blended malt which contains the coastal distilleries in Diageo’s portfolio: Clynelish, Inchgower, Talisker, Oban, Caol Ila and Lagavulin.
Diageo Special Releases 2018
- Carsebridge 48 year old
43.2%, refill American oak, 1000 btl.
$ 959 / € 860 – Sold out in most places - Caol Ila 15 year old ‘Unpeated style’
59.1%, refill & rejuvenated hogsheads + ex-bodega European oak butts
$ 129 / € 110 – TWE / TWB - Caol Ila 35 year old
58.1%, refill hogsheads & refill European oak butts, 3276 btl.
$ 989 / € 760 – TWE / MoM - Inchgower 27 year old
55.3%, refill hogsheads, 8544 btl.
$ 359 / € 340 – TWE / TWB - Lagavulin 12 year old
57.8%, refill hogsheads
$ 139 / € 125 – TWE / TWB - Oban 21 year old 1996
57.9%, refill European oak butts
$ 549 / € 515 – TWE / TWB - Pittyvaich 28 year old
52.1%, refill hogsheads, 4680 btl.
$ 419 / € 375 – TWE / TWB - The Singleton of Glen Ord 14 year old
57.6%, refill hogsheads & ex-bodega European oak butts, with a “unique marrying process”
$ 130 / € 110 – Pre-order from TWE - Talisker 8 year old
59.4%, first-fill hogsheads
$ 90 / € 80 – Sold out in most places - Cladach
51,7%, blended malt
$ 200 / € 175 – TWE / MoM
Easy to notice there is no Brora this year, nor Port Ellen. Both Brora and Port Ellen will be reopened in the near future so whatever casks available are probably held back to support the reopening.
Caol Ila is now apparently taking their place, with a premium release. The old grains like this year’s Carsebridge (a lost distillery) are probably also seen as a replacement for Brora and Port Ellen.
The addition of a Talisker 8 Year Old is also interesting as it will be affordable and it could be the Lagavulin 8 strategy, becoming a permanent core range expression later on? More Talisker is always good in any case.
Diageo Special Releases 2018 price
Retail prices for the Special Releases 2018 have been added to the article. The bottles will be available at the end of September 2018.
Update: Diageo Special Releases 2019 have now been announced.