Booze News Feature: Diageo’s Scotch Whisky Special Releases for 2017

Earlier this year, Diageo released information about nine of ten bottles from their upcoming annual fall special release collection. This week, they finally revealed their tenth selection. We’ve gathered all of the bottle facts below, so you can get your wish lists in order. Please note: pricing information is limited at this time; we’ll update the list when the information becomes available.

BLENDED MALT

COLLECTIVUM XXVIII

This is Diageo’s first blended malt release for their special release collection, which first began in 2001. Collectivum XXVIII (28) is comprised of all of Diageo-owned Scotch single malt distilleries. It is a no-age statement release.

Maturation:
Combination of refill American oak hogsheads, refill European oak butts, ex-bodega European oak, and first-fill bourbon barrels.
ABV:
57.3%
Availability:
Limited quantities worldwide
Price:
£150/$195

Collectivum XXVIII / Photo Credit: Diageo

HIGHLANDS

BLAIR ATHOL 23 YEAR

This release comes from Diageo’s distillery in Pitlochry, which lies on the River Tummel in the Highlands of Scotland. Whisky from Blair Athol typically make up Bell’s Blended Whisky, but there have been Flora & Fauna releases in the past. This 23 year-old was distilled in 1993.

Maturation:
Ex-bodega European oak butts
ABV:
58.4%
Availability:
5514 bottles
Price:
£390/$500

Diageo 2017 Highlands Releases / Photo Credit: Diageo

BRORA 34 YEAR

Brora Distillery was originally called Clynelish, and later, Old Clynelish, but its name was changed in 1975 so as not to confuse it with the other Clynelish Distillery, which opened in 1969. It closed its doors in 1983, which makes its releases highly sought after. This release was distilled just a year prior to its closure.

Maturation:
Refill American oak hogsheads
ABV:
51.9%
Availability:
3000 bottles
Price:
£1450/$1880

TEANINICH 17 YEAR

This Highlands single malt distillery primarily produces whisky for blends like Haig, Johnnie Walker, and Vat 69. Aside from Flora & Fauna releases, it is rarely bottled on its own. This bottling was distilled in 1999.

Maturation:
Refill American oak hogsheads and refill American oak barrels
ABV:
55.9%
Availability:
Limited quantities worldwide
Price:
£270/$350

ISLAY

CAOL ILA 18 YEAR

One of the more well-known brands in the collection, Caol Ila hails from the isle of Islay. Typically known for its peated single malts, this bottling is actually not peated.

Maturation:
Refill American oak hogsheads
ABV:
59.8%
Availability:
Limited quantities worldwide
Price:
£99/$130

Diageo 2017 Islay Releases / Photo Credit: Diageo

LAGAVULIN 12 YEAR

This Islay single malt expression is one of this year’s most popular releases, which makes sense considering the brand’s strong fan base and the bottling’s more affordable price tag.

Maturation:
Refill American oak hogsheads
ABV:
56.5%
Availability:
Limited quantities worldwide
Price:
£90 ($115)

PORT ELLEN 37 YEAR

The Port Ellen distillery met its fate and closed in 1983, an unhappy ending shared with many other distilleries who fell victim to the era’s whisky bust. This bottling was distilled in 1979.

Maturation:
Refill American oak hogsheads and refill American oak butts
ABV:
51%
Availability:
2988 bottles
Price:
£2625 ($3383)

LOWLANDS

Port Dundas 52 Year

Founded in 1811, this Glaswegian distillery was once the largest distillery in Scotland. It was closed in 2011 so Diageo could focus its grain distilling at Cameronbridge. A single grain, this bottling was distilled in 1964.

Maturation:
Refill American oak hogsheads
ABV:
44.6%
Availability:
752 bottles
Price:
£775/$1000

Port Dundas 52 Year / Photo Credit: Diageo

SPEYSIDE

CONVALMORE 32 YEAR

Established in 1893 or 1894, this single malt distillery closed its doors in 1985. Its building, located in Dufftown, is owned by William Grant & Sons and is used to store its own whisky brands. Diageo however, owns the Convalmore brand. Few distillery bottlings have been released of this Speyside single malt. This bottling was distilled in 1984.

Maturation:
Refill American oak hogsheads
ABV:
54.8%
Availability:
3972 bottles
Price:
£1200/$1555

Diageo 2017 Speyside Releases / Photo Credit: Diageo

GLEN ELGIN 18 YEAR

Glen Elgin has had a bit of a bumpy road. The distillery was first sold in 1900, then changed hands again in 1902, and yet again in 1906 when it was bought by blender John Blanche. In the 1930’s it was part of Scottish Malt Distillers and became an important component in the popular White Horse blend. The distillery only started releasing their own 12 year-old Single Malt in the late 70’s to Italy and Japan. This bottling was distilled in 1998.

Maturation:
Ex-bodega European oak butts
ABV:
54.8%
Availability:
5352 bottles
Price:
£295/$385

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