Over 30,000 5 star reviews!
On orders over £99
The lowest prices on your favourite spirits!
Trusted by businesses worldwide
Get a response within seconds
Select Express Delivery at the checkout!
1000s of samples available
DISCOVER OUR 8 EXPRESSIONS
The Diageo Special Releases for 2024 are here! The Spirited Xchange Second Edition, builds on last year’s success to create a collection that delivers a journey of rarity, richness and imagination.
Discover our eight 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
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.
Nose:
Orange cream cake filling with a hint of vanilla. Beneath this lie a faintly waxy suggestion of flaked almonds and a light ‘green’ note, suggesting sugar snap peas or mange tout. A drop of water increases the waxy note.
Palate:
A creamy texture, which is quite tooth-coating. A strong hint of Seville orange peel, then peppery spiciness. A drop of water sweetens the taste and reduces the tartness yet does not alter the overall profile.
Finish:
Long, warming, and spicy, with a mouth-cooling aftertaste. Still spicy with a dash of water.
Mortlach: Midnight Dusk
"What if a whisky could rival the apertivo 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.
Nose:
White grapes, Manzanilla sherry, and the aroma of Tropical House of a botanic garden. White currants, mangosteen and lychees, with a background of lemon sherbet fruit sweets. A drop of water lifts the citrus fruit notes, adding sweet caramel notes.
Palate:
At natural strength, the texture is smooth and creamy, leading to spicy, peppery, and drying tannins. A drop of water initially brings up that fruitiness without diminishing the spice.
Finish:
Some fruity acidity and a pinch of white pepper. There is less acidity at reduced strength, while the spiciness is now slightly mouth-cooling, suggesting Sichuan pepper.
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, utlising 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.
Nose:
Fresh, faintly maritime, with sea breezes, rockpools and oyster shells, on an earthy, mineral base with a hint of sphagnum moss. A little water develops the maritime notes and calms the spice.
Palate:
Very smooth, mouth-filling and creamy in texture, with abundant peppery spice. Lightly drying overall, with a fruity hint of apple & pear. At reduced strength, the increased saltiness and minerality contrast beautifully with more controlled peppery spice.
Finish:
Lengthy, developing plenty of Talisker spiciness, with a Sichuan-pepper mouth-cooling effect in the aftertaste that increases with a dash of water.
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 mautration 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.
Nose:
Aromas of a smouldering bonfire on a distant beach and wood ash. These are backed by subtle fruity notes, some sweet, suggesting rowan jelly, others hinting at unripe redcurrants. This is smokier with a drop of water, but still not heavily “smoky”.
Palate:
Smoothly creamy and really mouth-filling in texture, very sweet to taste at first then quickly drying, with a sprinkling of salt and a controlled smokiness, the intensity lip-tingling. A drop of water brings out the sweetness more but otherwise changes little..
Finish:
Long, finally powerfully smoky and drying, with a twist of warming spice that also lingers in the aftertaste. A classic Lagavulin.
Caol Ila: 11YO – Ambrosial Feast
"What if there was a whisky worthy of mythical ambrosia? Ascend into flavours worthy of legend, and experience taste as if it were wrapped in bright billowy clouds and painted in the hues of highland sunlight. A whisky that could inspire an otherworldly feast".
A most unexpected Caol Ila (many would not guess it to be one), this rare unpeated expression has none of the peated make’s smoky and ‘fresh clean’ nature. Its new and compelling taste explores the lighter, smoother, fruitier side of the spirit. Shorter fermentation bears cloudy worts that make for a gloriously creamy, nutty mouthfeel; while carefully partly-filling our pot stills enacts higher copper contact to bring forth fresh green apple flavours and spicy accents. It's matured in refill rejuvenated wine casks for 11 years.
It's bottled at 57.3% ABV.
Nose:
Unexpectedly mild, with unusual nutty-spicy top notes that together suggest an old fashioned dairy, with a creamy cheese being made, open milk pans. A little water sweetens the nose, bringing up a light hint of fruit.
Palate:
Smoothly creamy and mouth-filling and notably fruity and nutty in style. Lightly tannic and drying overall, with an oaky spiciness, this is a truly unusual and beautifully textured malt with layers of fruity, nutty flavour. A dash of water brings out more of the creamy, rich smoothness and emphasises the fruitiness.
Finish:
Of a good length, again nutty, finishing dry and with a pinch of warming spice that carries on in the aftertaste. Similar, though shorter, with a drop of water.
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.
Nose:
Fresh and ‘maritime’ with hints of clean sea air, crystal salt and edible seaweed. Light oak and vanilla notes, then a hint of dried mixed herbs mingling with sherried, light fruity notes, Sicilian lemon and a faint thread of smoke at the base, which becomes oilier if water is added.
Palate:
An appealingly thick and creamy-smooth texture introduces a roundly fruity and sweet taste, with hints of orange and lemon, a touch of creamy vanilla, a pinch of sea-side salt and a whisper of gently peppery, oaky spice. A dash of water gently rounds these tastes without altering them.
Finish:
Of medium length, ending in that smooth, warm spice. It is still spicy with a dash of water, which introduces more spice and dries the aftertaste.
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.
Nose:
The top notes are faintly vinous supported by a slight tart fruitiness recalling unripe redcurrants, which gradually softens and sweetens to creamy vanilla fudge. A drop of water adds a fleeting dusty note. All of this is light and understated.
Palate:
At natural strength, soft, ultra-creamy and rich in texture and sweet at first, with hints of vanilla icing and a rich fruitiness. With a dash of water, which softens and appreciably sweetens it, bringing out more fruity notes without removing the spiciness.
Finish:
Quite long, finishing richly sweet and lightly spicy with a controlled peppery warmth. It's a little sweeter with water but otherwise similar.
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 underappreicated 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.
Nose:
Rich and full, with fruity aromas of baked apple, pear, and peach. They're joined by a rich caramel note, calling to mind sweet Scottish toffee. A dash of water introduces a suggestion of balsawood.
Palate:
Sweet and richly fruity from the off, then becomes deliciously sweet-savoury, with a lick of salt amid spicy intensity. A dash of water softens this without losing the spiciness.
Finish:
Quite long, finishing smoothly dry and lightly spicy, and lightly mouth-cooling. Similar with water.
Learn more about Diageo Special Releases 2024
Explore more
Sign up to our newsletter
Special offers, recommendations and expert advice to your inbox! Unsubscribe at any time.
I agree to the Privacy Policy