Celebrate Christmas 2024 with the year's landmark releases!
The Spirited Xchange Second Edition builds on 2023's success to create a collection that delivers a journey of rarity, richness and imagination.
Discover the expressions
"This collection is about curiosity and what happens when you challenge yourself to think ‘what if’. This has led us to explore a variety of exciting maturation techniques, from selecting a novel combination of casks for The Singleton, to taking both Ramandolo white wine and Sangiovese red wine casks to finish Mortlach and bringing a totally new dimension of flavour to its unmistakably umami identity. We are excited for whisky lovers to experience it" - master blender, Dr Stuart Morrison.
The Spirited Xchange Second Edition
Diageo seeks to challenge expectations in craft and whisky experience with a simple question, 'what if?’ We've got an even better question for you. 'Why not?' It's Christmas time, splash out on something really special and show them how much you love them this year. Mark Christmas 2024 with a top whisky released in 2024 and some of the most giftable packaging around to boot.
Singleton: Glen Ord 14YO – Autumn Walk
"What if we made a whisky bathed in the soft warmth of autumn light? Picture walking through a forest on the slopes of a Pyrenean mountain – a perfect moment of carefree joy. Fallen Autumn leaves carpet the path ahead, conversations cocooned by red and orange. Look up. Rays of golden light split between the canopy, framing a gradient sky".
Matured in first-fill bourbon casks, then part-finished with the lively influence of Pyrenean and Spanish oak cask ends, this intriguing new expression of The Singleton of Glen Ord offers rich flavours with an unexpected spicy complexity. It’s a refined and complex single malt, delivering a sweeter, spicier, and drier profile compared to other expressions, while still preserving the distillery’s signature notes of orange peel and candle wax.
Mortlach: Midnight Dusk
"What if a whisky could rival the aperitivo moment? Aperitivo hours made decadent by The Beast of Dufftown; the evening sun twisted into dark invitation. Mortlach channels a new dimension of dusk in this bold expression".
This non age statement single malt Scotch whisky from Speyside distillery Mortlach was dinished in casks that formerly held sweet Ramandolo white wine, and earthy Sangiovese red.
Expect layered crisp fruit, caramelised miso and a hint of cured prosciutto notes emerge for an audaciously umami and fruity flavour.
It was bottled at 57.5% ABV.
Talisker: 8YO – Tidal Churn
"What if a whisky could channel the power of the ocean tides? For this 8-year-old expression, plunge into oceanic wilderness. A world of flavour lies beneath that signature maritime smoke. Experience the underlying notes unleashed by stone-spun casks".
To create this Talisker single malt, Diageo polished the original layers in a whisky barrel with rocks and water, utilizing an old stone-spun techniques not seen in whisky production before. These casks are then lightly re-toasted, allowing fruity and vanilla characters to rise up. Selected from whiskies of rumbling smoke, underlying flavours pierce through. Waves of pear and apple emerge alongside blades of seaweed, pepper and spice.
Bottled at 58.7% ABV.
Lagavulin: 12YO – Fireside Tales
"What is smoke was tamed into inviting sweetness? Awaken a Scotch whisky that bears the tales of oak, like a warm memory that takes hold. Just as Islay folk fall quiet settling into fireside storytelling, and a burning fire turns to gentle embers, we reveal a softer dimension to the legend of Lagavulin".
The Lagavulin character becomes sweeter and gentler in this expression thanks to its maturation in first-fill bourbon and refill casks for a lush and glazed aroma. A classic phenolic and powerful Lagavulin, this unusual expression shows that there can also be a softer, sweeter, spicier side to the mighty king of Islay.
Expect notes of thick toffee, vanilla, and coconut, unfurling with aromatic spice.
Bottled at 57.4% ABV.
Oban: 10YO – Coastal Orchard
"What if the smallest seed could give rise to a magnificent orchard? Imagine the humblest of seeds taking root deep within a coastal bay. A magnificent sea-sprayed orchard blooms, born of a tiny shell.
With every tide’s fall a harmonious burst of flora ripples with warm waves of nectar, bathing the coast in aromatic bounty".
Oban Distillery is one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries but its whiskies thrive with imposing character. This 10-year-old expression is matured in refill casks, before being selectively finished in newly charred American oak barrels, freshly seasoned with oloroso sherry, imparting baked apple notes and subtle wisps of sea salted vanilla.
Expect notes of charred oak, a bouquet of spiced nutmeg, sweet cinnamon and hints of clove.
Bottled at 58% ABV.
Roseisle: 12YO – Origami Kite II
"What if simplicity made for perfection, like the folds of a kite? A paper kite swirls in the Scottish sky. Simple and delicate, it rides the highland winds with wondrous endurance. Each lift is a testament to artisanship".
The second-ever expression of Roseisle boasts smoothly integrated aromas and soaring tastes that defy the complexity of its marriage of three spirit streams in distinctly different cask types. The malt master created a sublime single malt Scotch whisky building on last year's sensational debut. It's matured in first-fill bourbon and refill casks.
Expect notes of ripe fruit and white chocolate lie beneath the sweet vanilla aroma. Nuanced spice balances warm complexity, ending with a long, rich finish.
Bottled at 55.6% ABV.
Benrinnes: 21YO – Grand Crescendo
"What if we double the volume on fruity flavour? The orchestra takes centre stage for a sensory symphony. Thunderous flavour. Extravagant richness. Booming fruitiness, with the resounding bass line of double maturation".
The oldest expression from the 2024 Diageo Special Releases comes from the still underappreciated Benrinnes Distillery, which makes rich, waxy whisky. This 21-year-old expression was matured in refill casks for 15 years, followed by a 6-year second maturation in rejuvenated American and European oak wine casks, as well as rejuvenated casks with charred ends.
Expect a complex whisky that boasts a a fruity melody of over-ripe dark fruit, stewed pear, smashed fig and caramelised apple reverberates on the palate.
Bottled at 55.4% ABV.
Discover more
Learn more about this remarkable range, then buy a bottle for Christmas. Go on... Treat yourself...
Discover more about the 2024 range...
The Special Releases 2024 collection continues the Spirited Xchange theme. While the first year of Spirited Xchange broke boundaries in whisky-making by blending global cultures and innovative flavours, this year's collection dares to ask, "What if?" Diageo aims to challenge expectations, offering fresh perspectives that push the limits of flavour and craftsmanship for our iconic brands, showcasing its confidence and unwavering dedication to excellence.
Every whisky in this collection serves as a stage for innovation. It’s a journey to reimagine the essence of some of the world’s most iconic brands, using experimental cask pairings and surprising flavour profiles. The ‘Spirited Xchange: Second Edition' delves into unexplored realms of taste, curated by the expertise of master blender Dr Stuart Morrison.
Explore the Xchange products
The highly-anticipated 2024 Diageo Special Releases contains a diverse and distinctive array of unique whiskies, from unpeated Caol Ila to Talisker aged in stone-spun casks. Among iconic names such as Lagavulin, Mortlach, and Benrinnes, there's also the welcome return of Roseisle, a distillery that has only released one previous single malt, a beautiful whisky from the 2023 releases.
Every whisky is bottled from the Diageo Special Releases 2024 is presented at natural cask strength and without chill-filtration to censure each single malt reflects its undiluted, authentic character. We think you'll agree it elevates the flavour of each expression.
