Diageo has been putting out special releases celebrating rare whiskies since 2001, and the 2024 entry to the party is an impressive collection dubbed the Spirited Xchange 2.0. Admittedly I completely missed 1.0 last year, so I was happy to catch up on round two.
The beauty of annual special releases is that it gives a mammoth spirits company like Diageo an opportunity to be creative and innovative knowing that there’s no risk that the cases won’t sell out. Each offering doesn’t need to have mass appeal or even staying power. It’s just a chance to take some risks and see what happens.
This collection is about curiosity and what happens when you challenge yourself to think ‘what if’. This has led us to explore a variety of exciting maturation techniques, from selecting a novel combination of casks for The Singleton, to taking both Ramandolo white wine and Sangiovese red wine casks to finish Mortlach and bringing a totally new dimension of flavor to its unmistakably umami identity. We are excited for whisky lovers to experience it.”
~ Master Blender, Dr. Stuart Morrison
Lagavulin – Fireside Tales
Matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon and refill casks, reveals unexpected depths of sweetness and an enchanting finish. This whisky unfolds a tale of smoke tenderly tamed into a whisper, dressed in subtle fruity notes and powerfully smoky and warming spice finish. SRP: $180
Oban – Coastal Orchard
this vibrant expression is finished in new fresh charred American Oak barrels that have been freshly seasoned with Oloroso sherry and harmoniously blended with refill casks, creating a liquid featuring aromatic blooms of sweet-spiced apple & sea-salted vanilla. SRP: $120
Mortlach – Midnight Dusk
Finished in sweet Ramandolo white and Sangiovese red wine casks. It drapes the palate with layers of umami and fruit. Its unusual flavor profile makes this an excellent option for the aperitivo moment. SRP $300
Talisker – Tidal Churn
Captures Talisker distillery’s deep-rooted maritime heritage. This expression channels the ocean’s dynamic forces, utilizing a stone-spun method. The process, inspired by the ocean’s swirling churn, sees the powerful rotations of stone against wood, wearing away the char with stones and water. After the stone spinning, the casks are gently re-toasted, before finishing the whisky. This method reveals new depths of flavor, unveiling a surprising duo of sweet flavors – pear and apple beneath Talisker’s signature maritime smoke. SRP: $105
The Singleton – Autumn Walk
Brings together a combination of casks – ex-bourbon, rejuvenated ex-wine, and refill casks. It is then finished with European Oak and unique Pyrenean Oak cask-ends. The result is a complex and flavorful malt, offering sweet, spicy, and slightly dry notes evocative of an autumnal stroll in the Pyrenees. SRP: $155
Benrinnes – Grand Crescendo
Is the oldest expression in the collection. This 21 Year Old distinguished liquid emerges from a symphony of maturations – American Oak wine casks, European Oak casks, and rejuvenated casks with charred ends. SRP: $480
Roseisle ‘Origami Kite 2’
This is the second ever expression from the Roseisle distillery, matured in first-fill ex-Bourbon and refill casks. Its smooth, creamy texture carries the craftsmanship and spirit of Roseisle into new dimensions of taste. SRP: $150
Caol Ila – Ambrosial Feast
An unusually unpeated expression that intertwines creamy, nutty nuances with a burst of green apple. Matured in refill and rejuvenated ex-wine casks specifically chosen to enhance the distillate’s inherent fruity qualities, this whisky reveals the lighter, smoother side of Caol Ila, inviting a reimagining of the Islay classic. SRP: $110
