For those who’ve ever wished to purchase your individual cask of Brora or Talisker, then The Twelve by Casks of Distinction is likely to be simply what you’re searching for. Casks of Distinction presents unique entry to buy particular person barrels of uncommon single malt scotch whisky from Diageo’s stock. Underneath the auspices of the Diageo Luxurious Group, a dozen casks have been chosen for the 2024 assortment. These barrels will permit their new homeowners to style uncommon whiskies laid down over the last a long time of the twentieth century. First launched in 2023, The Twelve by Casks of Distinction is squarely geared toward Diageo’s non-public shoppers and supplied by a collection of invitation-only occasions in choose international areas.
Essentially the most eye-catching title on the record (see beneath) is a cask of Brora 1977, presently 47 years outdated, chosen by Dr. Craig Wilson, considered one of Diageo’s grasp whisky makers. Brora Distillery closed in 1983, and its bottlings grew in recognition underneath the Diageo Particular Releases program, turning into extremely collectible. The distillery was refurbished and re-opened in 2021, and the oldest of the brand new Brora inventory is now greater than 3 years outdated. In 2022, Sotheby’s bought a Brora 1982 Casks of Distinction barrel at public sale for $842,756, which was 40 years outdated at that time and contained sufficient to yield an estimated 145 bottles. Whoever purchases the Brora 1977 cask will probably be invited to go to the distillery to fill a cask with new make spirit.
Most cask possession schemes in Scotland are geared towards promoting fillings of latest make spirit that require the cask proprietor to attend a few years for the spirit to mature. Direct cask gross sales of mature scotch whisky prepared for bottling are a comparatively latest initiative in Scotland, extra akin to the favored barrel decide packages in Kentucky, Tennessee, and elsewhere.
Diageo supplied no phrase on pricing for any of those gems, so we’ll must assume that if it’s a must to ask, you may’t afford it. The oldest cask in The Twelve is a Talisker 1975, which together with the Brora 1977, are the 2 casks within the assortment that would proceed to mature till they flip 50 years outdated, because the cask homeowners have the choice of storing their casks at Royal Lochnagar Distillery for as much as 5 years earlier than bottling. As a further incentive, Diageo will host cask homeowners for tailor-made experiences on the distilleries from which their casks originated.
For extra details about Diageo’s non-public shopper providers or to make buy enquiries about The Twelve by Casks of Distinction 2024, click on right here.
The Twelve by Casks of Distinction 2024
Talisker 1975 Cask No. 4966, 47.8%
Island single malt scotch, refill American oak hogshead, estimated yield 155 bottles
Brora 1977 Cask No. 2845, 47.8%
Highland single malt scotch, refill American oak hogshead, estimated yield 158 bottles
Talisker 1986 Cask No. 896, 47.2%
Island single malt scotch, freshly charred American oak hogshead, estimated yield 153 bottles
Royal Lochnagar 1988 Cask No. 1119, 50.9%
Highland single malt scotch, refill American oak “charred ends” hogshead, estimated yield 168 bottles
Dalwhinnie 1989 Cask No. 3754, 47%
Speyside single malt scotch, refill American oak hogshead, estimated yield 214 bottles
Caol Ila 1990 Cask No. 9243, 48.9%
Islay single malt scotch, refill American oak hogshead, estimated yield 201 bottles
Clynelish 1990 Cask No. 12016, 53.6%
Highland single malt scotch, refill American oak hogshead, estimated yield 333 bottles
Cragganmore 1990 Cask No. 388, 57.3%
Speyside single malt scotch, refill American oak hogshead, estimated yield 146 bottles
Linkwood 1990 Cask No. 7805, 52.9%
Speyside single malt scotch, refill American oak hogshead, estimated yield 164 bottles
Auchroisk 1991 Cask No. 572018, 48.2%
Speyside single malt scotch, wine-seasoned American oak hogshead, estimated yield 238 bottles
Benrinnes 1992 Cask No. 9554, 53%
Speyside single malt scotch, first-fill European oak sherry butt, estimated yield 362 bottles
Inchgower 1992 Cask No. 2754, 50.7%
Speyside single malt scotch, refill American oak barrel, estimated yield 131 bottles
