Diageo Special Releases 2017

I might have spotted some of the Diageo Special Releases for 2017 already. Although only one has Special Release all over its label. The others are younger than usual, but isn't this the nature of the contemporary whisky industry: bottling whisky at a younger age? We can expect a Port Ellen and a Brora. And a 12yo Lagavulin and an unpeated Caol Ila for the affordable malts section. The rest of the Special Releases for 2017?

Let's have a look at the full list.

Port Dundas  52


  • Port Dundas single grain (closed distillery)

  • 52 years old

  • 752 bottles

  • Refill American hogsheads

  • Alcohol: 44.6% ABV


Glen Elgin 18


  • Glen Elgin single malt (Speyside)

  • 18 years old

  • 5352 bottles

  • Ex-bodega European butts (sherry?)

  • Alcohol: 54.8% ABV


Blair Athol 23


  • Blair Athol single malt (Highlands)

  • 23 years old

  • 5514 bottles

  • Ex-bodega European butts (sherry?)

  • Alcohol: 58.4% ABV


Teaninich 17


  • Teaninich single malt (Highlands)

  • 17 years old

  • Alcohol: 55.9% ABV

  • 200 years limited release


This whisky might very well be a separate 200 years anniversary release and not a so-called Special Release. We'll see...

Brora 1982 - 16th Release


  • Brora single malt (Highlands)

  • 34 years old

  • 3000 bottles

  • Refill American hogsheads

  • Alcohol: 51.9% ABV


Port Ellen 1979 - 17th Release

  • Port Ellen single malt (Islay)

  • 37 years old

  • 2988 bottles

  • Refill American hogsheads and refill American butts

  • Alcohol: 51% ABV


Caol Ila 18

  • Caol Ila (unpeated?) single malt (Islay)

  • 18 years old

  • Unknown number of bottles

  • Refill American hogsheads

  • Alcohol: 59.8% ABV


Lagavulin 12 - 17th Release

  • Lagavulin single malt (Islay)

  • 12 years old

  • Unknown number of bottles

  • Refill American hogsheads

  • Alcohol: 56.5% ABV


Convalmore 1984

  • Convalmore single malt (Speyside)

  • 32 years old

  • 3972 bottles

  • Refill American hogsheads

  • Alcohol: 48.2% ABV


Diageo decided to come forward with this year's Special Releases since it's the whisky worlds worst kept secret anyway. There's no NAS whisky in the line-up this year (not yet, who knows they'll come up with a £500

Entries from the TTB Public Registry (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) are a fairly reliable source for upcoming new whiskies. Although not all entries make it to the market. There’s always the possibility a brand decides not to launch a whisky, even if the label has been approved. Until the distillery sends out a press release, this whisky should be considered a rumour…

Source and pictures: Colas Online

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