Editor's Note: For the first three expressions in this Special Release, click here.

The next 4 expressions to Diageo's Special Release 2023 have been revealed! And while good Scotch has been getting pricier as we speak, Diageo seems to have done its best to unveil releases that still tip the novelty scale over a "just noticeable difference" level to maintain the attention of Scotch lovers.  

Clynelish 10 Years Old, First-Fill American Oak Casks, 57.5% ABV

First up, here's a Clynelish of an age that is really nothing to shout about. But there are many fans of the Highland wild cat amongst us, whom are bound to notice that this was exclusively matured in first-fill bourbon American oak casks for 10 years.

With this cask style at cask strength, it's an implicit message that this expression would make for an unctuous, waxy bourbon bomb.  

How does this expression have anything to do with Jazz musicians? The label art is probably drawing an incredibly tenuous reference to its American oak casks. Given the number of limited edition releases and need to make each bottle feel special, we'll give Diageo's label designer a break.

Oban 11 Years Old, Caribbean Pot Still Rum Cask finished, 58% ABV

This is one release that we foresee some mixed reactions depending on whether the drinker is a big rum maniac or not – an Oban finished in Caribbean Pot Still Rum Casks. 

As far back as we can remember, this is the first rum cask-finished Oban. We imagine it makes plenty of sense to imbue Oban's bright, fruity and oceanic profile with yet more brown sugar and ripe tropical influences. 

Perhaps don't raise your expectations too high if you are a rum geek, and expect to see some of those Hampden or Long Pond Jamaican funkiness in a Scotch. There have been plenty of rum cask Scotch whiskies that haven't really impressed us.    

Roseisle 12 Years Old, First Fill-Bourbon & Refill Casks, 56.5% ABV

Here's a Speyside single malt distillery we bet you haven't heard of. 

Once dubbed the Scotch "Death Star," capable of destroying planets or in our context, Scotch distilleries, Roseisle Distillery (pronounced "roh-zal") was the latest large distillery built by Diageo in 2009 which sparked concerns amongst Scotch buffs that Diageo would use Roseisle's opening as an excuse to shut down many of its smaller whisky distilleries. 

The distillery produces 10 million litres of alcohol per annum, and is close to the fifth largest Scotch distillery in terms of production size. For comparison, the largest are Glenlivet and Glenfiddich at 21 million litres, but are owned by Pernod Ricard and William Grant & Sons respectively.

Rather than leading to more distillery closures and marking the end of an era, industry commentators eventually decided that Roseisle was on the good side of the Force, and that its completion heralded the dawn of a new era of sustainability in whisky production.

From an efficiency perspective, the distillery only generates less than 15% of carbon dioxide produced by a normal distillery. The distillery uses a biomass plant to generate most of its heat, and recycles hot water produced in the course of whisky production to heat the maltings facility. The staggering size of the distillery also helps it achieve sustainable economies of scale by producing on a larger scale using environmentally responsible production processes.

This is the first time Roseisle has been bottled as a single malt. It is therefore unclear what distillery character its single malt would take. To add complexity, Roseisle is capable of producing two distinct styles of spirit - one that is lighter and grassier, and another that is heavier, oilier and even sulphury.

Roseisle has previously made its appearance as part of a 28-distillery blended malt Scotch released by Diageo - the Collectivum XXVIII Blended Malt Scotch.

We guess this one's a wildcard in terms of flavour profile!

Glenkinchie 27 Years Old, Refill American & European Oak Casks, 58.3% ABV

This would be one of the oldest original bottling Glenkinchies you could find in the market.  

As a Diageo workhorse distillery built to support blends like Johnnie Walker, Glenkinchie single malts are difficult to come by, let alone old Glenkinchies in their late 20s or early 30s. 

The Lowlands single malt tends to be gentle, floral and grassy with a waxy texture.  

Our Take

With the first 3 Special Releases in mind, it seems that most of the hype this year would fall on the ex-Kanosuke Mortlach, the debuting Roseisle single malt, and the ex-Don Julio Tequila Lagavulin. 

The first two expressions are wildcards, bound to draw a ton of curiosity and in a small part, collector's value. Many in the whisky community have already encountered an ex-agave Lagavulin and enjoyed it - so this next iteration is a tried-and-tested sipping whisky. 

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team