Diageo announces 2017 Special Releases

by Annie Hayes

Diageo has named nine of the 10 whiskies from the 2017 edition of its Special Releases collection, which will be revealed in full this autumn.

Ten Scotch whiskies including are to be released in strictly limited quantities as part of Diageo’s ongoing Special Releases programme. Nick Morgan, head of whisky outreach at Diageo, says the highly anticipated annual collection of rare whiskies from across Scotland has become "the worst kept secret in malts". "One of our most cherished moments in the whisky calendar is the annual announcement of the Diageo Special Releases collection – a group of limited edition and natural cask strength whiskies that are highly anticipated around the world and revered for their quality and collect ability," he said. "So highly awaited are the releases, you may have noticed that we struggle to keep them under lock and key. Special Releases has rapidly become the worst kept secret in malts due to your enthusiasm and dedication to the collection". This year's selection features a 52-year-old expression from the silent Port Dundas distillery in the Lowlands, and a 32-year-old whisky from the now-mothballed Convalmore distillery in Speyside. "We look forward to raising a dram with you later on this year to celebrate the launch of the 2017 collection," Morgan added. Click through the following pages to preview Diageo’s Special Releases 2017. Last year's line-up included a 40-year-old Cambus and the oldest Port Ellen ever released – click here for a recap of Diageo's Special Releases 2016. Blair Athol 23 Year Old Distilled: 1993 ABV: 58.4% Region: Highlands Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts No of bottles: 5,514   Brora 34 Year Old Distilled: 1982 ABV: 51.9% Region: Coastal Highlands Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads No of bottles: 3,000   Caol Ila 18 Year Old ABV: 59.8% Region: Islay Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads Limited quantities available worldwide Convalmore 32 Year Old Distilled: 1984 ABV: 48.2% Region: Speyside Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads No of bottles: 3,972   Glen Elgin 18 Year Old Distilled: 1998 ABV: 54.8% Region: Speyside Cask: Ex-Bodega European Oak Butts No of bottles: 5,352   Lagavulin 12 Year Old ABV: 56.5% Region: Islay Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads Limited quantities available worldwide Port Dundas 52 Year Old Distilled: 1964 ABV: 44.6% Region: Lowlands Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads No of bottles: 752   Port Ellen 37 Year Old Distilled: 1979 ABV: 51% Region: Islay Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Butts No of bottles: 2,988   Teaninich 17 Year Old Distilled: 1999 ABV: 55.9% Region: Coastal Highlands Cask: Refill American Oak Hogsheads & Refill American Oak Barrels Limited quantities available worldwide