Diageo has announced the release of a new ultra-premium collection in its Casks of Distinction range.
The Twelve by Casks of Distinction comprises whiskies that have been selected from the drinks giant’s stocks from across Scotland for their uniqueness, judged by the company’s whisky makers as expressions that will ‘never be repeated again’.
The collection will be unveiled at private invitation-only showcases in autumn 2023 in global locations including Singapore, London, and New York, where guests will have the chance to taste the whiskies. Casks selected for the collection include a Linkwood from 1990, a Blair Athol from 1993 matured in ex-sherry casks, a 43-year-old Talisker, and a 49-year-old from Port Dundas.
The Casks of Distinction programme gives whisky enthusiasts the chance to purchase a cask of mature whisky from Diageo’s stable of distilleries, which include Talisker, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, and Mortlach.
Dr Craig Wilson, one of the master whisky makers behind Casks of Distinction, said: “The team dedicates more than 4,200 hours a year to sourcing, tasting, and assessing casks for the necessary qualities and character to become a Cask of Distinction. This is a very special moment to unveil some of the world’s most exceptional whisky, representing twelve exceptional expressions from twelve unique casks.”
James Mackay, Diageo’s global private client director, said: “Established in 2017, Casks of Distinction is a whisky experience like no other. Standing as one of the longest running cask ownership programmes of its kind in the world, it offers a near peerless diversity and range of rare and exceptional single casks whiskies directly from Diageo-owned distilleries. The casks that are selected for the programme have long remained a privilege of only a few but now for the first time we are unveiling twelve timeless opportunities in a first of its kind annual showcase.”
As well as access to these limited-edition whiskies, those who buy into the Casks of Distinction programme will also have access to the home of Casks of Distinction in Royal Deeside and access to tailored experiences at the distilleries their casks were sourced from.
In 2022, two casks of single malt Scotch from Port Ellen and Brora distilleries that were selected as part of the Casks of Distinction programme sold through Sotheby’s for more than US$1 million each. More information about Casks of Distinction can be found at diageorareandexceptional.com.
