Diageo have revealed the line up for this year’s Special Releases well ahead of the expected announcement date. They say this is to counter speculation on the internet about "the worst kept secret in whisky". If you’re a cynic you might think it's a good way to get some early press... and it’s working!
They’ve only told us about nine out of the 10 bottles, so we can spend the rest of the year puzzling over what number 10 might be. How exciting!
Anyhow, it beats worrying about Brexit, war on the Korean Peninsula or the French presidential elections.
Here are details of the nine bottlings we know about:
Blair Athol 23 Year Old 1993
- ABV 58.4%
- Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts
- Bottles: 5,514
Brora 34 Year Old 1982
- ABV: 51.9%
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
- Bottles: 3,000
Caol Ila 18 Year Old
- ABV: 59.8%
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
- Limited quantities available worldwide
Convalmore 32 Year Old 1984
- ABV: 48.2%
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
- Bottles: 3,972
Glen Elgin 18 Year Old 1998
- ABV: 54.8%
- Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts
- Bottles: 5,352
Lagavulin 12 Year Old
- ABV: 56.5%
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
- Limited quantities available worldwide
Port Dundas 52 Year Old 1964
- ABV: 44.6%
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads
- Bottles: 752
Port Ellen 37 Year Old 1979
- ABV: 51%
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Butts
- Bottles: 2,988
Teaninich 17 Year Old 1999
- ABV: 55.9%
- Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Barrels
- Limited quantities available worldwide
I know how many I'm likely to get my hands on...