Casks of Distinction Returns with Historic Mortlach 1984 Reveal

Diageo’s prestigious whisky program, The Twelve by Casks of Distinction, has unveiled a cask of Mortlach 1984 as the pinnacle of its 2025 collection. The launch in Singapore, in front of elite whisky collectors and luxury connoisseurs, marked the global unveiling of this year’s 12 exceptional casks

Casks of Distinction is an annual private cask sale program, with Diageo’s team of master whisky makers sourcing and evaluating rare casks from the company’s reserves of more than 10 million casks. Casks are available from £150,000 (approx. $200,000) and up.

The coveted twelfth cask, Mortlach 1984 Cask No. 4155, has been maturing in an American oak hogshead for 41 years. In a statement, master blender Dr. Craig Wilson said, “Despite its age, a fresh maltiness still comes through and as black pepper and clove build on the palate, the unmistakable Mortlach meatiness and a dry woodiness carry through to an exceptionally long finish.”

The buyer of this Mortlach cask will be welcomed to Scotland for a bespoke experience that includes visiting the cask in a warehouse at Royal Lochnagar Distillery, and a tailored itinerary including curated art previews, private tastings, and behind-the-scenes distillery access. The cask owner has the right to store the cask at Royal Lochnagar for up to five years before bottling if desired. Beyond the Mortlach, the collection includes two closed distillery whiskies, Pittyvaich and Caledonian, while a Talisker distilled in 1979 is the oldest whisky on offer this year.

Casks of Distinction is another sign that scotch whisky producers are shifting closer to the U.S. model of barrel pick programs by offering mature casks that are ready-to-bottle rather than new-make fillings that allow the cask owner to follow its journey through to maturation. Mature casks from well-known single malt distilleries, of course, require a much bigger budget than new make fillings. While this is the oldest cask of Mortlach ever offered for sale by Diageo, the company has released older bottlings. In 2024, Diageo released Mortlach 50 year old distilled in 1971. One independent bottler has gone even further. Back in 2008, Gordon & MacPhail Generations Mortlach 1938 70 year old was released, becoming the world’s first 70 year old whisky. The company then broke its own record with the release of the Gordon & MacPhail Generations Mortlach 1939 75 year old in 2015, which remains the oldest Mortlach expression ever released.

For more information about Diageo’s private client services or to make purchase enquiries about The Twelve by Casks of Distinction 2025, click here.

The Twelve by Cask of Distinction 2025

1. Benrinnes 1991 Cask No. 2396, 54%
Speyside single malt, refill American oak cask, estimated yield 137 bottles

2. Caledonian 1984 Cask No. 68642, 54.9%
Scotch single grain, refill American oak cask, estimated yield 213 bottles

3. Caol Ila 1990 Cask No. 9237, 47%
Islay single malt, refill American oak cask, estimated yield 198 bottles

4. Caol Ila 1997 Cask No. 642, 50.4%
Unpeated Islay single malt, first-fill bourbon cask, estimated yield 200 bottles

5. Cragganmore 1985 Cask No. 601268, 44.4%
Speyside single malt, refill American oak cask, estimated yield 120 bottles

6. Dailuaine 1990 Cask No. 4565, 56.2%
Speyside single malt, wine-seasoned American oak cask, estimated yield 218 bottles

7. Dalwhinnie 1989 Cask No. 3530, 48.5%
Highland single malt, refill American oak cask, estimated yield 156 bottles

8. Glenlossie 1994 Cask No. 110, 50.5%
Speyside single malt, first-fill American oak sherry cask, estimated yield 151 bottles

9. Pittyvaich 1989 Cask No. 2148, 52.6%
Speyside single malt, refill American oak cask, estimated yield 201 bottles

10. Royal Lochnagar 1988 Cask No. 1121, 47.3%
Highland single malt, refill American oak cask with charred ends, estimated yield 148 bottles

11. Talisker 1979 Cask No. 5021, 43.8%
Island single malt, refill American oak cask, estimated yield 130 bottles

12. Mortlach 1984 Cask No. 4155, 47.3%
Speyside single malt, American oak hogshead, estimated yield 133 bottles