While the weather seems to have forgotten that it\u2019s autumn, Diageo has not, and the latest instalment of the company\u2019s much anticipated annual drop of tasty things has arrived. Please welcome the Diageo Special Releases 2023 \u2013 Spirited Xchange<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re new to the Special Releases, it\u2019s quite simple. This range of bottlings pops up once year to showcase different takes on whiskies from Diageo\u2019s various Scottish distilleries. There are old favourites that appear regularly, rare expressions from distilleries that don\u2019t get much love and surprising twists on classic single malts.\u00a0On top of that, the past few years have seen themes appearing across the range, tying the whole lot together under a unifying concept.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Special Releases are particulalry special to us, as they were launched at Whisky Show<\/a>, our annual celebration of all things whisky. Stuart Morrison \u2013 the malt master behind the range \u2013 was on hand at the event to answer everyone\u2019s questions, and give us an insight into how he created these remarkable bottlings.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to learn more about previous years, check out the links at the end of the post or head to The Diageo Special Releases \u2013 What are they?<\/a><\/p>\n The past few years have been all change in the Diageo blending rooms as Stuart Morrison has taken over Craig Wilson\u2019s role as head of the Special Releases. Stuart\u2019s moved things in a different direction to the past few years of Craig\u2019s stewardship, and the Diageo Special Releases 2023 look beyond Scotland\u2019 s borders for influences from other countries, wines, spirits and cultures.<\/p>\n While Diageo is best known for its whiskies (and maybe a little bit for Guinness and Smirnoff<\/a>), the company has its fingers in many other pies. Not only does it own distilleries around the world it also, through its Distill Ventures wing, supports new producers who are doing something a little different.<\/p>\n The 2023 Special Releases takes a selection of familiar names \u2013 and one less so \u2013 and looks at them through a lens of collaboration. The result is eight expressions influenced by a spirited (e)xchange of ideas.<\/p>\n And with that, it\u2019s time to talk whisky\u2026<\/p>\n 55% \/ \u00a3132<\/em><\/p>\n The first bottle in the range is from Glendullan<\/a> distillery in Speyside. Inspired by the fashion houses of France, it showcases the distillery\u2019s rounded and fruity spirit finished in Chardonnay de Bourgogne casks \u2013 white wine casks from Burgundy. The wine itself is a rich and rounded expression of the grape\u2019s character which melds very well with the whisky, adding depth, complexity and yet more fruitiness to the spirit.<\/p>\n Nose<\/strong>: Sweet shops to begin: peach Haribo, rhubarb and custards, sherbet lemons and barley sugar. Notes of cream and sour apple develop over time.<\/p>\n Palate<\/strong>: We\u2019ve moved down the road to the baker\u2019s now, with lemon shortbread and custard slices joined by milk chocolate, speculoos spices and plump sultanas.<\/p>\n Finish<\/strong>: Floral notes initially dominate, slowly fading to reveal sultanas, toffee apples and more of the speculoos spiciness.<\/p>\n Buy The Singleton of Glendullan 14yo The Silken Gown ><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n 58% \/ \u00a3150<\/em><\/p>\n Oban<\/a> is very much a seaside town, with a history tied closely to the sea. Its whisky is likewise coastal, with briny sea spray and oranges incongruously and pleasantly combined. When looking for an overseas pairing for this characterful single malt, our whisky makers looked to the Caribbean for inspiration. While the tropical islands of the Americas may not be the first place you might think of twinning with a fishing town on the west coast of Scotland, it\u2019s the spirit that really brings the two locations together \u2013 Oban even has a couple of palm trees.<\/p>\n This expression has been finished in casks previously filled with Caribbean (exact origin undisclosed) pot-still rum, adding extra layers of fruit, toffee and spice to the distillery\u2019s softly maritime spirit.<\/p>\n Nose<\/a>: Apple, banana, barley sugar, white pepper, toffee touches and a hint of mint imperial. Waxy fruit notes develop, accompanied by soft, spring-meadow flowers.<\/p>\n Palate<\/a>: Richly textured and layered. Red apples sit on top of flowers, and sweet and sharper green apple notes. Pepperiness builds with a background of slightly unripe mango and orange oil<\/p>\n Finish<\/a>: Gently peppery spice, even more apples, orange peel and mango skin.<\/p>\n Buy Oban 11yo The Soul of Calypso ><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n 57.5% \/ \u00a3165<\/em><\/p>\n A second appearance in a row for Clynelish<\/a> and, for those who remember the Select Reserve, it has an age statement \u2013 10 years old. Clynelish makes a versatile spirit, and while older editions are sublime, more youthful expressions can be juicy and packed with flavour, especially when paired with sympathetic maturation in American oak, like this dram.<\/p>\n Its inspiration is the USA and its music, exclusively using first-fill bourbon casks to give a bit of extra weight, gravitas and a nod to the complexity of jazz.<\/p>\n Nose<\/strong>: Waxed red apples (we\u2019re in proper Clynelish territory), dolly mixtures, barley sugar, lemon travel sweets, meadow flowers and piles of flower petals dusted with sugar.<\/p>\n Palate<\/strong>: Weightier than the nose suggests, with a rich texture balancing out thick juiciness, soft spice and layers of vanilla. The sweets and flowers from the nose return, along with a touch of oaky spice and wax-polished oak.<\/p>\n Finish<\/strong>: Vanilla, white pepper and sweet apple sauce.<\/p>\n Buy Clynelish 10yo The Jazz Crescendo ><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n 56.5% \/ \u00a3120<\/em><\/p>\n The one we\u2019ve all been waiting for \u2013 the first release from Roseisle<\/a>. Diageo\u2019s newest Scottish distillery, affectionately known to whisky geeks as \u2018The Death Star,\u2019 is far more than a technological terror. Set up to be hugely versatile, with a variety of stills (and even an option to use stainless steel condensers, for all you meaty-spirit geeks), it can create a wide range of whisky styles, including some that replicate those found at other Diageo distilleries.<\/p>\n The spirit here is described as \u2018medium bodied\u2019 in the release notes, but that hides a complex combination of grassy, fruity and earthy spirits. The casks used are simply first and refill bourbon. letting us clearly see the complex compilation of spirits. The inspiration: the complex folds of origami, represented on the label by a delicate and floaty kite.<\/p>\n Nose<\/strong>: Moss, bracken and damp bark at first, with a muskiness that slowly recedes to reveal pear skin, classic bourbon-cask vanilla and toffee. Fruity apples, fresh figs, and grassy meadow notes develop.<\/p>\n Palate<\/strong>: Thick on the palate although with a crisper flavour than that might suggest. The apples from the nose are drizzles with cream, dotted with sultanas and dusted with oaky spice.<\/p>\n Finish<\/strong>: Layers of fruit, light and custardy vanilla, and a lingering musky oak spice. Very long.<\/p>\n Buy Roseisle 12yo The Origami Kite ><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n 58.3% \/ \u00a3340<\/em><\/p>\n Glenkinchie<\/a> has long been one of Diageo\u2019s key single malts, rising to prominence as part of the Classic Malts range, and now remains one of the two lowland distilleries that have remained in production while others have closed, and now new ones have opened. We\u2019ve not often seen a whisky from the distillery in the Special Releases, with only three previous bottlings, and none since 2016. As a lighter and more floral whisky, it doesn\u2019t always get the spotlight that it deserves, and I\u2019m pleased to see it pop up on the list here.<\/p>\n This elegant dram is inspired by the delicacy of Chinese porcelain, and is matured in refill casks \u2013 American and European oak barrels and butts \u2013 laid down at the distillery in its cool warehouses. Stuart Morrison used to look after Glenkinchie\u2019s whiskies and has been keeping on eye on these casks for years, waiting for them to be ready. They\u2019ve finally hit their mark, and the result is my favourite whisky of the line up.<\/p>\n Nose<\/strong>: Star fruit and white flowers. Crunchy apples, polished oak and floral perfume, backed up by old-fashioned sweetshop notes and a touch of white chocolate (the good stuff).<\/p>\n Palate<\/strong>: Hugely floral \u2013 the classic, old-fashioned Lowland style. Fresh and sweet apples, a touch of waxiness and wax polish, and well-integrated, well-structured oak.<\/p>\n Finish<\/strong>: Meadow flowers, freshly mown grass and gentle sweetness.<\/p>\n Buy Glenkinchie 27yo The Floral Treasure ><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n 58% \/ \u00a3250<\/em><\/p>\n Mortlach<\/a> has become the meaty heart of the Special Releases range. Meatiness is very much the connective element here, looking eastwards to Japan and the country\u2019s obsession with umami \u2013 the mysterious fifth, savoury taste. This release takes the rich Speyside spirit and combines it not only with ex-Pinot Noir red wine casks, but also ex-Japanese whisky casks from Kanosuke<\/a> distillery in the south of Japan.<\/p>\n As a Japanophile and a big fan of Kanosuke (and the shochus that owners Komasa Jyozo make at their other distillery down the road \u2013 ask me about their crazy four-lyne-armed horizontal pot still if you find me in the pub) this is the whisky I was most looking forward to trying.<\/p>\n Nose<\/strong>: Sesame crackers, sultanas and cream to start. Sour Japanese plums, singed toffee, soft peppery notes and a gentle, almost incense-like muskiness.<\/p>\n Palate<\/strong>: Rich and creamy in texture, with the toffee from the nose leading into pear, crunchy spun sugar and cocoa. Drying oakiness is balanced by juicy apple sauce and black pepper, while candied fruit develops.<\/p>\n Finish<\/strong>: White chocolate and dark spice. Stewed apple and damp oak.<\/p>\n Buy Mortlach The Katana\u2019s Edge ><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n 59.7% \/ \u00a3120<\/em><\/p>\n With this release, Talisker<\/a> has cemented itself as a mainstay of the modern Special Releases line-up. As the blending team have experimented with different casks across Diageo\u2019s entire range of distilleries, Talisker has been the beneficiary of a range of tried-and-tested finishes. This bottling continues the work that started with Craig Wilson\u2019s Talisker Port Ruighe<\/a> by looking to Portugal for inspiration and adding more types of port to the mix. This is finished in tawny, ruby and white port casks.<\/p>\n Nose<\/strong>: Rich and leathery, with briny smoke \u2013 fresh but dark. Salty seas turn to warm black rubber and sweet bacon dusted with barbecue salt. Lime peel emerges along side the distilleries trademark black pepper spice.<\/p>\n Palate<\/strong>: Very definitely Talisker on the palate: salty seas and freshly ground black pepper. Sweet sultanas and dried orchard fruit are balanced by savoury wood and leather notes, and an all-encompassing but gentle peaty smokiness.<\/p>\n Finish<\/strong>: The black-pepper spice lingers with roasted apples and crisp sweetness.<\/p>\n Buy Talisker The Wild Explorador ><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n 56.4% \/ \u00a3155<\/em><\/p>\n The Special Releases wouldn\u2019t be the same without the Lagavulin 12 Year Old<\/a> \u2013 a mainstay since the first \u2018proper\u2019 annual release in 2002. While it has traditionally been a raw Lagavulin<\/a> with a focus on the distillery\u2019s more elemental side, this year brings in inspiration from a spirit that has recently been controversial in whisky maturation: tequila.<\/p>\n While it might not seem traditional, the flavours of youthful whiskies \u2013 especially those from Islay \u2013 often cross over with the vegetal and spicy notes you find in tequila, and it seems both an obvious and strange match to me. This has been finished for a few months in casks that previous held Don Julio<\/a> tequila, just enough to impart a little bit of the agave spirit\u2019s peppery character.<\/p>\n Nose<\/strong>: The classic Lagavulin seaweed smokiness is slightly subdued, but is bolstered by mulchy leaves and sweet green peppers. Black pepper notes build, balanced by damp earth, peat smoke and brine.<\/p>\n Palate<\/strong>: Sweeter than the nose suggests, with a crisp smokiness and gentle spice. Leafy notes lead, both herbs and piles of damp, raked autumn leaves. Dark chocolate, mint and menthol hide at the back, with the middle ground covered with green peppers, black pepper and briny smoke.<\/p>\n Finish<\/strong>: Smoky liquorice, sweet orchard fruit and lingering green pepper.<\/p>\n Buy Lagavulin 12yo The Ink of Legends ><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n They\u2019re here! A little earlier than usual, but you can find all of the bottle (that we still have in stock) up on The Whisky Exchange website on our Diageo Special Releases 2023 page<\/a>.<\/p>\n We also have stock in The Whisky Exchange\u2019s London shops<\/a>, so if you can\u2019t find what you\u2019re looking for online, give them a call to check what they have and pop buy to grab a bottle or two.<\/p>\n If you want to see what\u2019s happened in previous years, we\u2019ve got details and tasting notes for all the releases since 2008 here on the blog:\u00a02008 pt1<\/a>\/2008 pt2<\/a>,\u00a02009<\/a>,\u00a02010<\/a>,\u00a02011<\/a>,\u00a02012<\/a>,\u00a02013<\/a>,\u00a02014<\/a>,\u00a02015<\/a>,\u00a02016<\/a>,\u00a02017,<\/a>\u00a02018,<\/a>\u00a02019<\/a>,\u00a02020<\/a>, 2021<\/a> and 2022<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nWhat are the Diageo Special Releases?<\/h2>\n
The 2023 Edition<\/h2>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/blog.thewhiskyexchange.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/diageo-special-releases-2023-spirited-xchange-range-920x483.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSpirited Xchange<\/h2>\n
The Singleton of Glendullan 14yo The Silken Gown<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.thewhiskyexchange.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/glendullan-2023.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOban 11yo The Soul of Calypso<\/h2>\n
![\"Oban](\"https:\/\/blog.thewhiskyexchange.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/oban-2023.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nClynelish 10yo The jazz Crescendo<\/h2>\n
![\"Clynelish](\"https:\/\/blog.thewhiskyexchange.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/clynelish-2023.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nRoseisle 12yo The Origami Kite<\/h2>\n
![\"Roseisle](\"https:\/\/blog.thewhiskyexchange.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/roseisle-2023.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nGlenkinchie 27yo The Floral Treasure<\/h2>\n
![\"Glenkinchie](\"https:\/\/blog.thewhiskyexchange.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/glenkinchie-2023.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMortlach The Katana\u2019s Edge<\/h2>\n
![\"Mortach](\"https:\/\/blog.thewhiskyexchange.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mortlach-2023.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTalisker The Wild Explorador<\/h2>\n
![\"Talisker](\"https:\/\/blog.thewhiskyexchange.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/talisker-2023.jpg\" "\\"Talisker")
<\/a><\/p>\nLagavulin 12yo The Ink of Legends<\/h2>\n
![\"Lagavulin](\"https:\/\/blog.thewhiskyexchange.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/lagavulin-2023.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWHEN DO THE SPECIAL RELEASES 2022 ARRIVE?<\/h2>\n