Introducing a Cultural Exchange of Flavours, Craft, and Artistry in Eight Unique Single Malt Expressions

Today Diageo unveils its Spirited Xchange Special Releases Scotch Whisky Collection celebrating the journey of Scotch, countries and cultures around the world.

Drawing from Diageo’s world-famous portfolio Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison has carefully selected eight rare and collectible Single Malts for his inaugural Special Releases collection.

By fusing unique casks which showcase different crafts and finishes that honour local cultures, Dr. Stuart Morrison has created an incredible collection of unexplored flavours to delight Scotch whisky enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

"This year, we’re proudly revealing our new series of distillery-first expressions: Spirited Xchange Special Releases 2023. For me, Spirited Xchange is about identifying and celebrating the ideas, flavours, and tastes that surround us each day and inspire our curiosity to create. This collection has given us the opportunity to roam freely through our vast portfolio and experiment with old and new cask types, including various wine and local spirits casks to create eight one-of-a-kind expressions that we've never imagined before."

Master Blender, Dr. Stuart Morrison

Spirited Xchange comes to life through intricate and alluring pack designs, illustrated by eight artists across the globe - each one dedicated to the beloved distilleries and the spirits in the collection, creating a powerful storytelling moment.

The artworks are visual tasting notes, placing the expression at the centre of the experience and exploring the flavours that emerge from the local spirit casks:

• Mortlach ‘The Katana’s Edge’, finished in ex-Kanosuke Japanese whisky and ex-Pinot Noir casks, is illustrated with a golden gleam that represents the flash of umami that cuts through the ripe, fruity sweetness of this stunning expression.

• RRP: £250 70cl

• The Singleton ‘The Silken Gown’, finished in rich Chardonnay de Bourgogne French Oak casks, brims with warm toffee and rippling layers of buttery golden fruit, characterized by textures of a luminous and enchanting silk gown.

• RRP: £132 70cl / £42 20cl

• Talisker ‘The Wild Explorador’, finished in a combination of White, Tawny and Ruby Port Casks, celebrates the sea with currents of spice and waves of dark fruit, finished with a splash of sea salt, embodied by an iconic Portuguese vessel.

• RRP: £120 70cl / £38 20cl

• Lagavulin ‘The Ink of Legends’, honours the ancient art of tattooing using impressive illustrative strokes and highly saturated colours. Lagavulin’s renowned smokiness is given the Special Releases treatment, masterfully finished in Don Julio Añejo tequila casks, the resulting whisky is a stunning blend of bright herbs and juicy plums.

• RRP: £155 70cl / £48 20cl

Inspired by Scotch’s global journey of discovery, this year’s collection also explores a variety of ages and spirits characters, delivering new depth of complexity and capturing the essence of cultural exchange through unique layers of flavour:

• Roseisle distillery is proud to join the Special Releases collection for the first time with its first public release: ‘The Origami Kite’, etched with sweet vanilla notes and a touch of molasses.

• RRP: £120 70cl / £38 20cl

• Glenkinchie ‘The Floral Treasure’ 27 Year Old expression is one of its most mature bottlings to date, carrying lush floral aromas and sweet flavours resembling a Spring morning.

• RRP: £340 70cl

• Oban ‘The Soul of Calypso’ epitomises the essence of the vivid energy of Caribbean culture with vibrant flavours of tropical fruit mango and sugar cane emerging from the Caribbean pot still rum casks.

• RRP: £140 70cl

• Clynelish ‘The Jazz Crescendo’ is a dulcet symphony of vanilla spice and smooth caramel notes, flowing from its exclusive maturation in ex-bourbon American Oak casks.

• RRP £165 70cl

To celebrate the spirit of cultural collaboration, tastemakers from around the world have come together in Scotland to curate a whisky experience that connects and celebrates flavour, craft and art.

In collaboration with world class chefs, bartenders and artists, Spirited Xchange will awaken on an immersive evening where sounds, visuals and flavours collide to tell the remarkable stories of Talisker, Lagavulin and The Singleton.

The 2023 Special Releases collection will be available in limited quantities from malts.com from 18th September 2023.

Availability: Online on malts.com from 18th September 2023 and on shelf from 1st October 2023 from specialist retailers in Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, selected markets across Asia and in airport duty free.

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About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan’s whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray, and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

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Provided by Diageo