Diageo Spent Over 4,200 Hours Choosing ‘Historic’, ‘Unique’ Casks for New Whisky Collection

Diageo announced the release of “The Twelve” from its Casks of Distinction Program.

On Wednesday, Diageo unveiled a series of twelve casks the brand touted as “the pinnacle of the rarest and most exceptional whiskies,” from its stocks. The release marks the first time Diageo shared the offering with the public.

Appropriately named “The Twelve” by Diageo’s Casks of Distinction program, the offerings are to debut at an invitation-only showcase and whisky tasting in Autumn 2023, according to the brand.

Some whiskies revealed are a 1990 Linkwood, a Blair Athol from 1993 matured in ex-sherry casks, a 43-year-old Talisker and a 49-year-old Port Dundas.

“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,” said Diageo Master Whisky Maker Dr. Craig Wilson, who participates in the Casks of Distinction Program. “This is a very special moment to unveil some of the world’s most exceptional whisky, representing twelve exceptional expressions from twelve unique casks.”

The program was established in 2017, according to the brand, and is “one of the longest-running cask ownership programs of its kind in the world,” according to Diageo Global Private Client Director James Mackay.

In 2022, Diageo selected two offerings that sold at Sotheby’s for upwards of $1 million apiece. The casks were ghost stocks from Brora and Port Ellen distilleries.

In late October, Diageo released eight whiskies as part of its Spirited XChange Collection. The supplier claimed the collection was meant to capture the “journey of scotch, countries and cultures around the world.”

The SpiritedXChange Collection featured an expression of Lagavulin finished in Don Julio Añejo casks, The Singleton finished in Chardonnay de Bourgogne French Oak casks, amongst other distinctive offerings.

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