Diageo Kicks Off New Special Releases Whisky Collection With 8 ‘Never Imagined Before’ Single Malt Scotches
The 2023 Diageo Spirited XChange Special Releases Scotch Whisky Collection. (Image: Diageo)
On Monday, spirits giant Diageo unveiled a new whisky collection: Spirited Xchange Special Releases.
The debut edition of the collection comprises eight single malt whiskies each from a different Diageo-owned distillery: Oban, Glenkinchie, Talisker, The Singleton, Mortlach, Lagavulin, Roseisle and Clynelish.
According to Diageo, Spirited Xchange is composed of eclectic “distillery-first” expressions.
“For me, Spirited Xchange is about identifying and celebrating the ideas, flavours, and tastes that surround us each day and inspire our curiosity to create,” Diageo portfolio master blender Dr. Stuart Morrison said, according to The Spirits Business. “This collection has given us the opportunity to roam freely through our vast portfolio and experiment with old and new cask types, including various wine and local spirits casks to create eight one-of-a-kind expressions that we’ve never imagined before.”
The Special Releases collection is available in limited quantities from malts.com and will arrive on specialist retail shelves beginning Oct. 1.
Spirited XChange appears to be the new, rebranded version of Diageo’s annual Special Releases collection.
Diageo Spirited XChange Special Releases 2023 Whiskies
Mortlach Katana’s Edge is finished in ex-Kanosuke Japanese whisky and ex-Pinor Noir casks. Per Diageo, it presents a umami flavor that “cuts through the ripe, fruity sweetness.
The Singleton The Silken Gown is finished in Chardonnary de Bourgogne French oak casks. It has flavors of toffee and golden fruit, according to the brand.
Talisker The Wild Explorador is finished in a mix of white, tawny and ruby Port casks. It “celebrates the sea with currents of spice and waves of dark fruit,” according to Diageo.
Finished in Don Julio Añejo Tequila casks, Lagavulin The Ink of Legends is intended to honor the ancient art of tattooing with its label, which Diageo describes as featuring “illustrative strokes and highly saturated colours.”
Roseisle Distillery The Origami Kite is an especially exciting whisky, as it is the first public release from Roseisle, a £40 million ($49.5 million) Diageo opened in 2010. The Origami Kite has notes of sweet vanilla and a touch of molasses, per Diageo.
Glenkinchie The Floral Treasure 27 Year Old is one of Glenkinchie’s oldest whiskies yet.
Oban The Soul of Calypso has notes of tropical fruit and sugar cane, which arise from the Caribbean pot still rum casks it was aged in, per Diageo.
Clynelish The Jazz Crescendo was aged in ex-bourbon American oak casks. Diageo describes it as having notes of vanilla spice and smooth caramel.
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