Rare Whisky Alert: Diageo Special Releases 2017 Are Coming

For scotch lovers with deep pockets, it's the most wonderful time of the year. Diageo has announced its 10 annual Special Release whiski. Each of these rare whiskies sure to be highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts. The expected names are there—Port Ellen, Brora, Lagavulin—and are joined by expressions from Caol Ila, Convalmore, Blair Athol, Glen Elgin, Teaninich, and Port Dundas.This year, for the first time ever, Diageo is releasing a blended malt that includes whisky from all 28 of its active single malt distilleries. Collectivum XXVIII draws whisky from across Scotland's regions (except for Campbeltown, where Diageo does not have a distillery):Lowlands: GlenkinchieHighlands: Blair Athol, Clynelish, Glen Ord, Lochnagar, Oban, TeaninichIslands: TaliskerIslay: Caol Ila, LagavulinSpeyside: Auchroisk, Benrinnes, Cardhu, Cragganmore, Dailuaine, Dalwhinnie, Dufftown, Glendullan, Glen Elgin, Glenlossie, Glen Spey, Inchgower, Knockando, Linkwood, Mannochmore, Mortlach, Roseisle, StrathmillThe whiskies used in Collectivum were aged in refill American oak hogsheads, refill European oak butts, ex-bodega European oak (that is, from a Spanish sherry producer), and/or first fill bourbon casks. Diageo has not stated how many bottles of Collectivum XVIII are available but, like all the Special Releases, quantities will be limited. Unfortunately for Americans, there won't be any bottles of this whisky hitting shelves in the U.S., but it is available to purchase online through The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, and other retailers.Read on for full details on this year's Special Releases, which will hit store shelves this fall.Diageo 2017 Special ReleasesBlair Athol 24 year oldStyle: Single maltProof: 58.4% ABVCask type: Ex-bodega European oak buttsAvailability: 5,514 bottles worldwidePrice: $460Brora 34 year oldStyle: Single maltProof: 51.9% ABVCask type: Refill American oak hogsheadsAvailability: 3,000 bottles worldwidePrice: $1,700Caol Ila 18 year oldStyle: Single maltProof: 59.8% ABVCask type: Refill American oak hogsheadsAvailability: Limited quantities worldwidePrice: $100Collectivum XXVIIIStyle: Blended maltProof: 57.3% ABVCask types: Blend of refill American oak hogsheads, refill European oak butts, ex-bodega European oak butts, and first fill bourbon casksAvailability: Limited quantities worldwide; not available in the U.S.Price: £125 (roughly $165)Convalmore 32 year oldStyle: Single maltProof: 48.2% ABVCask type: Refill American oak hogsheadsAvailability: 3,972 bottles worldwidePrice: $1,400Glen Elgin 18 year oldStyle: Single maltProof: 54.8% ABVCask type: Ex-bodega European oak buttsAvailability: 5,352 bottles worldwidePrice: $340Lagavulin 12 year oldStyle: Single maltProof: 56.5% ABVCask type: Refill American oak hogsheadsAvailability: Limited quantities worldwidePrice: $130Port Dundas 52 year oldStyle: Single grainProof: 44.6% ABVCask type: Refill American oak hogsheadsAvailability: 752 bottles worldwidePrice: $900Port Ellen 37 year oldStyle: Single maltProof: 51% ABVCask types: Refill American oak hogsheads and refill American oak buttsAvailability: 2,988 bottles worldwidePrice: $3,500Teaninich 17 year oldStyle: Single maltProof: 55.9% ABVCask types: Refill American oak hogsheads and refill American Oak barrelsAvailability: Limited quantities worldwidePrice: $310