At a glamorous occasion hosted in Aldourie Fortress beside Loch Ness, Diageo have introduced “The Twelve.” Picked from amongst Diageo’s 10million maturing casks, these are the 12 deemed completely able to bottle this yr, and can be found to bottle privately by way of Casks of Distinction. The hero of the 2024 launch is undoubtedly the Brora 1977 cask, which is one among a extremely restricted variety of casks nonetheless remaining from earlier than Brora initially closed.
What Are “The Twelve” From Casks Of Distinction?
Casks Of Distinction are a handpicked group of uncommon and distinctive casks from Diageo’s inventory of over 10 million maturing casks which were chosen as epitomizing the spirit of their specific distillery. The grasp whisky makers from throughout Diageo’s distilleries spend over 4,200 hours a yr assessing casks and deciding if they’re able to be included within the unique programme.
Every cask that’s deemed worthy is marked with a star and punctiliously monitored till they attain perfection. At which level they’re launched into Diageo’s Casks Of Distinction programme, for devoted whisky followers to mature for as much as 5 extra years and finally bottle.
“The Twelve,” are the easiest casks from amongst the Casks of Distinction which have been chosen for VIP clients to purchase and personally bottle. In November beside the famend Loch Ness, 2024’s “Twelve” had been introduced. The choice is awe-worthy, however this yr a particular dedication has been made to at least one specific cask.
The Twelfth Cask: Brora 1977
The Twelve Casks of Distinction for 2024 are a powerful choice. There are two Talisker casks—one 1986 and one from 1975—in addition to a Clynelish 1990 and Benrinnes 1992—I’ve copied the cask particulars under for curious whisky geeks like myself. They’re all superb, however the hero cask for this yr is undoubtedly the only cask of Brora 1977.
Earlier in 2024 Brora celebrated their first distillate changing into formally be classed as whisky. It’s a momentous event for the re-born distillery, and for Diageo. To mark the occasion and to substantiate Brora’s place inside Diageo’s premium choice, they’ve chosen the Brora 1977 to be the showstopping cask of this launch.
The energy of the whisky is at 47.8% ABV, which provides affected person purchasers the choice to decide on to mature the cask additional if they want. Purchasers can mature the whisky for just a few extra years and I think about the temptation to purpose for 50 is more likely to be excessive.
With the overall premiumisation of scotch, when you’re shopping for one thing at this degree it’s about extra than simply the whisky itself. In addition to getting the chance to personal and bottle your very personal cask of among the rarest and most collectable whisky on this planet the purchaser of every of The Twelve will get “tailor-made experiences on the distilleries from which their casks originate.”
For the Brora cask that features the possibility to go to the distillery and fill a cask of Brora in 2026 and mysteriously consists of: “two distinctive artefacts that set them aside from different Brora collectors.”
The Loch Ness Occasion
Diageo’s most prestigious connoisseurs had been invited to a lavish “trunk present” the place The Twelve had been launched. In addition to being the primary to know in regards to the newest choice of casks, the fortunate attendees had been handled to a feast from Two Michelin Star Chef Jordan Bailey, which was paired with distinctive wines from Justerini & Brooks, one of many UK’s oldest wine & spirits retailers.
In the event you fancy proudly owning your very personal cask from one among Diageo’s 28 scotch whisky distilleries then you may get in contact with their personal consumer providers.
The Casks
Brora 1977
Fill date: 16.11.1977
Cask NO: 2845
Est. ABV: 47.8%
Est. Bottle No.: 158
Cask sort: Refill American Oak Hogshead
Talisker 1975
Fill date: 11.12.1975
Cask NO: 4966
Est. ABV: 47.8%
Est. Bottle No.: 155
Cask sort: Refill American Oak Hogshead
Talisker 1986
Fill date: 20.03.1986
Cask NO: 896
Est. ABV: 47.2%
Est. Bottle No.: 153
Cask sort: Freshly Charred American Oak Hogshead
Clynelish 1990
Fill date: 12.11.1990
Cask NO: 12016
Est. ABV: 53.6%
Est. Bottle No.: 333
Cask sort: Refill American Oak Hogshead
Caol Ila 1990
Fill date: 10.09.1990
Cask NO: 9243
Est. ABV: 48.9%
Est. Bottle No.: 201
Cask sort: Refill American Oak Hogshead
Royal Lochnagar 1988
Fill date: 14.10.1988
Cask NO: 1119
Est. ABV: 50.9%
Est. Bottle No.: 168
Cask sort: Refill American Oak Charred Ends Hogshead
Benrinnes 1992
Fill date: 23.11.1992
Cask NO: 9954
Est. ABV: 53%
Est. Bottle No.: 362
Cask sort: First-fill ex-Sherry European Oak Butt
Dalwhinnie 1989
Fill date: 14.11.1989
Cask NO: 3754
Est. ABV: 47%
Est. Bottle No.: 214
Cask sort: Refill American Oak Hogshead
Linkwood 1990
Fill date: 15.10.1990
Cask NO: 7805
Est. ABV: 52.9%
Est. Bottle No.: 164
Cask sort: Refill American Oak Hogshead
Inchgower 1992
Fill date: 30.03.1992
Cask NO: 2754
Est. ABV: 50.7%
Est. Bottle No.: 131
Cask sort: Refill American Oak Barrel
Cragganmore 1990
Fill date: 26.01.1990
Cask NO: 388
Est. ABV: 57.3%
Est. Bottle No.: 146
Cask sort: Refill America Oak Hogshead
Auchroisk 1991
Fill date: 15.08.1991
Cask NO: 572018
Est. ABV: 48.2%
Est. Bottle No.: 238
Cask sort: Wine Seasoned American Oak Hogshead
The unique model of this text was written by me for Forbes.com
