Diageo’s The Twelve: A Rare Whisky Collection Unveiled in Prestigious Global Showcases
Diageo has just unveiled its latest foray into the world of ultra-premium whisky: The Twelve by Casks of Distinction. This exclusive collection is a gathering of unique whiskies, each handpicked from Diageo’s extensive reserves across Scotland. Celebrated for their unparalleled singularity, these expressions are touted as once-in-a-lifetime creations, never to be replicated.
Autumn 2023 will see the grand unveiling of The Twelve at a series of private, invitation-only showcases. Prestigious cities such as Singapore, London, and New York will host these exclusive events, offering a rare opportunity to sample these exceptional whiskies. The collection features remarkable selections, including a Linkwood from 1990, a Blair Athol from 1993 aged in ex-sherry casks, a 43-year-old Talisker, and a 49-year-old from Port Dundas.
The Casks of Distinction program presents a unique opportunity for whisky aficionados to own a cask of mature whisky from Diageo’s renowned distilleries, including icons like Talisker, Lagavulin, Caol Ila, and Mortlach.
Dr. Craig Wilson, a master whisky maker at the helm of Casks of Distinction, shares his insight: “Our team invests over 4,200 hours annually in sourcing, tasting, and evaluating casks. It’s a privilege to showcase these twelve extraordinary expressions, each representing a unique cask.”
James Mackay, Diageo’s global private client director, elaborates on the prestige of Casks of Distinction, established in 2017. As a leading cask ownership program, it boasts an unrivaled variety of rare and exceptional single cask whiskies directly from Diageo’s distilleries. “These twelve timeless opportunities mark a milestone in our annual showcase, previously accessible only to a select few,” says Mackay.
Participants in the Casks of Distinction program not only gain access to these limited-edition whiskies but also enjoy the privilege of visiting the Royal Deeside home of Casks of Distinction and bespoke experiences at the source distilleries.
In a striking testament to the program’s success, two casks from Port Ellen and Brora distilleries, featured in the Casks of Distinction range, fetched over US$1 million each at a Sotheby’s auction in 2022. For more details on this unparalleled whisky journey, visit diageorareandexceptional.com.
