Mortlach
Midnight Dusk
Ever thought of Mortlach as an aperitif? If not, this fresh, fruity take on the famously robust whisky might just change your mind. Finished in casks that formerly held sweet Ramandolo white wine, and earthy Sangiovese red, this creamy single malt has notes of white currants, mangosteen, lychees and lemon sherbet, with undercurrents of caramelised miso, vanilla fudge and pepper.
The Singleton - Glen Ord 14 Year Old
Autumn Walk
This edition is drier, spicier and sweeter than other Glen Ord single malts you may have tried, thanks to it being partly finished in casks with ends made from Pyrenean and Spanish oak. Their influence, combined with a long maturation in ex-bourbon casks, creates a whisky with notes of luscious orchard fruit, orange sponge cake, flaked almonds and freshly-cut grass, followed by peppery spice in the finish.
Talisker 8 Year Old
Tidal Churn
The Special Releases are famed for using unusual cask types, and the ‘stone spun’ casks used to finish this Talisker are certainly the most eye-catching of the 2024 series. These casks' original char layers were polished away by rocks and water, then lightly re-toasted before being filled with whisky. The result is an intensely rocky, salty-spicy, 'elemental' take on this maritime dram.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old
Fireside Tales
Lagavulin is always a sought-after entry in the Special Releases and this 2024 edition is delicious in its simplicity: the 12-year-old single malt has been matured in first-fill bourbon and refill casks for a powerfully sweet effect. Expect indulgent layers of thick toffee, coconut, vanilla and aromatic spice tempering the single malt's legendary smoke
Oban 10 Year Old
Coastal Orchard
Oban is one of Scotland's smallest distilleries and has always used just two stills to make its whisky. This year's Special Releases offer another chance to revisit this often-overlooked single malt, which has here been finished in charred American Oak barrels seasoned with sherry. Expect notes of sea salt, vanilla, red fruits and peppery, oaky spice.
Caol Ila 11 Year Old
Ambrosial Feast
Unpeated Caol Ila makes a triumphant return to the Special Releases line-up with this creamy, nutty, fruity 11-year-old edition. To create this expression the distilling team used cloudy worts, a short fermentation and a lower fill level in the stills, then matured the resulting spirit in refill, rejuvenated and ex-wine casks. A Caol Ila unlike any other.
Roseisle 12 Year Old
Origami Kite II
The second-ever single malt from Diageo's cutting-edge Roseisle distillery, which was built to produce multiple different spirit styles under one roof. Origami Kite II is a 'marriage of three spirit streams' matured in first-fill ex-bourbon and refill casks, and is another accomplished outing for a creamy whisky full of sweet fruit, white chocolate and refined spice flavours.
Benrinnes 21 Year Old
Grand Crescendo
A crowd-pleasing, full-bodied single malt that's absolutely bursting with fruit flavours. This Benrinnes was matured in refill casks for its first 15 years, followed by a spell in both rejuvenated American and European oak wine casks, as well as rejuvenated casks with charred ends. Expect lashings of stewed pear, salted caramel apples, fig compote and spicy intensity in the finish.
