Diageo debuts Distillers Edition bottlings
Johnnie Walker owner Diageo has extended its Distillers Edition line with six Scotch whiskies matured in fortified wine casks.
The 2023 annual release includes single malts from Diageo-owned Scotch distilleries Lagavulin, Talisker, Cragganmore, Oban, Dalwhinnie and Glenkinchie. To retain the ‘preciousness’ of the liquids, only one batch of each whisky is produced annually. "We're proud to introduce the latest Distillers Edition line-up, a collection created to celebrate some of Diageo’s finest single malt Scotch whiskies and their distilleries," said Hannah Todd, director of the single malt whisky portfolio at Diageo. The single malts are all matured in different types of cask wood, chosen to complement the characteristics of each whisky. The second maturation takes place in batches, using individually prepared casks that have held a specially selected fortified wine. Each batch takes months to mature. "The collection has a long history dedicated to its ageing process and craftsmanship, making it the perfect gift to commemorate special moments with,” continued Todd. “Whether celebrating a holiday, gifting a loved one, or toasting to a special occasion, the Distillers Edition collection has a liquid for every type of person in your life." The new releases include the Oban Distillers Edition, matured in Montilla Fino-seasoned casks for a creamy-smooth ‘enhancement’ to the fruity Oban style, (43% ABV, US$95); the Talisker Distillers Edition, finished in Amoroso-seasoned casks for fruity sweetness and dry peat-smoke notes (45.8% ABV, US$85); the Lagavulin Distillers Edition, matured in Pedro Ximénez-seasoned barrels (43% ABV, US$125); the Cragganmore Distillers Edition, finished in Port-seasoned casks to impart sweet wine and fruity flavours (40% ABV, US$85); the Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition, matured in Oloroso-seasoned casks (43% ABV, US$90); and finally the Glenkinchie Distillers Edition, which has spent time in Amontillado-seasoned barrels (43% ABV, US$85). The six Distillers Edition bottlings are available for US consumers through Drizly or select retailers. Diageo recently revealed it will be driving farming efficiency and environmental benefits across Tequila farming in Mexico with the use of drones.
