Whisky Advocate: Diageo Unveils Its Special Releases Collection For 2023

Diageo has revealed the details of this year’s Special Releases collection, its annual limited-edition lineup of eight cask-strength collectible Scotch whiskies. Released under the name Spirited Xchange, this year’s Special Releases were curated for the first time by master blender Dr. Stuart Morrison. One highlight is a 12 year old single malt from Roseisle—it’s the first-ever bottling from this large distillery built along the Moray coastline (Speyside) back in 2010 to supply malt whisky for Diageo’s blends. There’s also a non-age stated Mortlach finished in whisky casks from Kanosuke Distillery in Japan. The oldest bottling in this year’s collection is a 27 year old from Lowland distillery Glenkinchie, marking its first Special Releases appearance since 2016.

While there is no significant price hike this year, the age statements are the youngest in the history of the series. In 2018, the collection began to shift, leaving out key expressions like Port Ellen and Brora for the first time. Diageo then rebooted the Special Releases in 2019 with new packaging and a smaller eight-bottle range, while the company subsequently launched Prima & Ultima in 2020, a new annual series of collectible rare whiskies usually sold as a set. The fourth release of Prima & UItima was announced recently.

Limited quantities of this year’s Diageo Special Releases will be available from malts.com from September 18th, and will be available beginning October 1st at specialist retailers in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, selected markets in Asia, and airport duty free stores. Whisky Advocate has all the details.

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