As we close in on the holiday season, you can bet on seeing some seriously stellar whiskies. Diageo is helping lead the charge by revealing details of its newest Special Releases collection, Spirited Xchange Second Edition.
This year’s crop of Special Releases is comprised of eight rare, highly collectible single malts, all selected by master blender Dr. Stuart Morrison. Highlights include a softer, sweeter iteration of Lagavulin; the second-ever whisky from Speyside distillery Roseisle; and the oldest single malt in the bunch, a 21 year old from Benrinnes. Prices for the 2024 collection are about in line with previous years—it opens at just $105 for a uniquely finished 8 year old Talisker, and tops off at $480 for the ultra-aged Benrinnes.
As always, these whiskies are true one-and-done, according to Diageo. If you’re interested, bottles are available now (in limited quantities, naturally) on malts.com and at specialty scotch whisky retailers.
Diageo Special Releases 2024 Spirited Xchange Second Edition
Talisker Tidal Churn
ABV: 58.7%
SRP: $105
This 8 year old Talisker was matured in both refill and first-fill bourbon casks, then finished in stone-spun—wherein stone is rotated against the wood, gently eroding the existing char—and re-toasted American oak. Talisker, which is based on the Isle of Skye, is a frequent flyer in the Special Releases collection, having appeared over 20 times.
Caol Ila Ambrosial Feast
ABV: 57.3%
SRP: $110
Islay distiller Caol Ila was last seen in a Special Releases collection back in 2018. This year’s is 11 years old, and it was matured in a combination of refill and rejuvenated wine casks made from both American and European oak. (While some distillers refer to barrels that have been shaved, toasted, and re-charred as STR casks, Diageo labels them as “rejuvenated.”)
Oban Coastal Orchard
ABV: 58%
SRP: $120
A 10 year old expression, this Oban aged in refill American oak; the whisky was partially finished in freshly charred, oloroso-seasoned American oak.
Roseisle Origami Kite 2
ABV: 55.6%
SRP: $150
Speyside distiller Roseisle made its Special Releases debut last year—that marked the first public release of Roseisle, ever, as its whiskies had previously been relegated exclusively to blends. Like that first whisky, this year's inclusion is a 12 year old single malt aged in refill and first-fill bourbon barrels.
The Singleton of Glen Ord Autumn Walk
ABV: 54.7%
SRP: $155
This 14 year old dram matured in three separate parcels: one in bourbon barrels, one in rejuvenated wine casks, and one in re-fill casks. The three were then combined, and finished in a specially made cask comprised of European oak with Pyrenean oak ends. (Pyrenean oak is also known as Spanish oak; the tree is native to southwestern Europe and northwestern North Africa.)
Lagavulin Fireside Tales
ABV: 57.4%
SRP: $180
This 12 year old Lagavulin is billed as far softer, subtler, and sweeter than the Islay distillery’s usual smoky, phenolic offerings, a result of extended time spent in a combination of bourbon barrels, re-fill American oak hogsheads, and re-fill European oak butts.
Mortlach Midnight Dusk
ABV: 57.5%
SRP: $300
Mortlach is the sole non-age statement whisky among the Special Releases. This year, the dram was aged in refill and first-fill bourbon barrels, then finished in ramandolo and sangiovese wine—Italian sweet white and red, respectively—casks.
Benrinnes Grand Crescendo
ABV: 55.4%
SRP: $480
The oldest whisky included in this year’s Special Releases collection, Benrinnes Grand Crescendo is a 21 year old single malt that aged for 8 years in refill casks, then matured an additional 13 years in wine-seasoned American oak, European oak, and rejuvenated casks with charred ends.
