DIAGEO unveils its Spirited Xchange Special Releases Scotch Whisky Collection celebrating the journey of Scotch, countries and cultures around the world.
The Special Releases collection is an annual collection of eight rare and collectible Single Malts carefully selected by Master Blender Dr. Stuart Morrison, to celebrate each distillery's unique characteristics and DIAGEO's robust portfolio united together in quality Scotch making.
The incredible collection of unexplored flavors fuses together unique casks showcasing different crafts and finishes that honor local cultures, delighting 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, flavors, 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 flavors that emerge from the local spirit casks:
Lagavulin 'The Ink of Legends', finished in a masterful combination of Don Julio Añejo tequila casks, honors the ancient art of tattooing while Lagavulin's renowned smokiness, rich with bright herbs and juicy plums, is complimented by a lasting finish. SRP: $170
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. SRP: $280
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 flavor:
The 2023 Special Releases collection became available in limited quantities from select spirits retailers in the U.S. and on Malts.com starting 1st October 2023.