Diageo Unveils 10 Scotches in 2018 Special Releases Lineup

Diageo has announced the lineup for its 2018 Special Releases Scotch series, which includes 10 expressions.

Anticipated by whisky enthusiasts, these are limited-edition cask-strength bottlings. The collection encompasses some of the rarest and oldest whiskies from an array of producers, from famous to lesser known to now-silent distilleries.

New this year is the first inclusion of Inchgower, as well as a five-cask release from The Singleton Glen Ord. The previously unannounced 10th Special Release bottling is Cladach, a blend of six coastal distilleries – Caol Ila, Clynelish, Lagavulin, Oban, Inchgower and Talisker. Gaelic for the word ‘shoreline’, Cladach has maritime aromas of salt, warm sand and seaweed, the company says, and is salty with rich honey and citrus notes in taste.

For the first time since the collection’s launch in 2001, Port Ellen and Brora will not be included in the range. Although Diageo has announced the re-opening of the new Port Ellen and Brora distilleries, the current stocks from the original distilleries are diminishing. As such, Diageo has decided to give Port Ellen and Brora a “single-minded focus,” with future whiskies available as annual bottlings. 

The entire 2018 Diageo Special Releases Lineup includes:

Caol Ila Unpeated 15 year old – U.S. SRP: $129.
ABV 59.1%.
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads and Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts
Limited quantities worldwide

Caol Ila 35 year old – $989
ABV 58.1%
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads and Refill European Oak Butts
Number of bottles: 3,276

Carsebridge 48 year old – $959
ABV 43.2%
Region: Lowlands
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Number of bottles: 1,000

Cladach
Only available to order via thewhiskyexchange.com, GB SRP: £155
ABV 57.1%
Region: Coastal
Cask: First Fill American Oak ex-Bourbon casks, Refill American Oak Hogsheads, Refill European Oak Butts, Ex Bodega European Oak Butts
Limited availability worldwide

Inchgower 27 year old – $359
ABV 55.3%
Region: Speyside
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Number of bottles: 8,544

Lagavulin 12 year old – $139
ABV 57.8%
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Limited quantities available worldwide

Oban 21 year old – $549
ABV 57.9%
Region: Highlands
Cask: Refill European Oak Butts
Limited availability worldwide

Pittyvaich 28 year old – $419
ABV 52.1%
Region: Speyside
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
Number of bottles: 4,680

The Singleton Glen Ord 14 year old
Only available to order via thewhiskyexchange.com, GB SRP: £100
ABV 57.6%
Region: Highlands
Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads and Ex-Bodega European Oak butts followed by a maturation and marrying process
Limited quantities available worldwide

Talisker 8 Year Old
Only available to order via thewhiskyexchange.com, GB SRP: £70
ABV 59.4%
Region: Island
Cask: First fill Ex-Bourbon American Oak Hogsheads
Limited availability worldwide