Diageo has announced the line-up for its 2020 Special Releases whisky collection, offering connoisseurs the opportunity to fill out their cabinets with eight rare and sought-after single malts. The Rare by Nature series features some of Scotland’s best-known distilleries, but there are also bottles from under-the-radar locations including the ghost distillery Pittyvaich.
The annual release has become highly-anticipated due to the unusual nature of the whiskies included. The series is curated by Diageo’s master blender, Dr. Craig Wilson, who searches through Diageo’s huge portfolio to find uncommon age points and experimental flavour profiles.
This year’s collection marks the continued trend of atypical cask finishes, such as the 8-Year-Old Talisker, Diageo’s first-ever rum cask finished single malt. These experimental finishes have become quite common, particularly with Glenfiddich, after a relaxation in Scotch regulation paved the way. The Talisker combines the tropical nature of a rum finished with the intense smokiness that it is known for. The result is an unusual flavour profile that defies its comparatively young age.
On the other side of Scotland, the 21-Year-Old Mortlach is likely to prove popular, combining one of Speyside’s biggest names with a Pedro Ximenez & Oloroso Sherry seasoned cask finish. A more intense version of this whisky was included last year and this one delivers on its promise to dial down the sherry influences. It shows distilleries are still finding their way to the sweet spot with some cask finishes.
Other more notable inclusions are the 30-Year-Old Dalwhinnie, which is matured in refill hogshead and combines a deep oakiness alongside the typical fruity aromas. The 30-Year-Old Pittyvaich marks the only whisky taken from a closed distillery, making it particularly interesting for the collector.
Dr. Wilson said: “I’ve created this year’s Special Releases Collection from some of my favourite distilleries across Scotland with whisky enthusiasts in mind. For those who enjoy spicy flavours, my recommendation would be to try our Cardhu, and for those who favour rich, intense and smooth flavours my choice would be Mortlach 21 year old. If you are curious about discovering something very rare, the Pittyvaich – the single ghost distillery in our Special Releases Collection this year – is an unforgettable dram.”
Visit malts.com to view the full collection which will be available for a limited time only.
Source: Elite Traveler