Diageo Distillers Editions
The latest releases in this prestigious series
These strictly-limited annual releases are an enduring favourite among whisky fans. The line-up of seven bottlings showcases Diageo’s flagship single malts finished in casks seasoned with various fortified wines. Through this secondary maturation, the Distillers Editions show us a different side of beloved distilleries including Talisker, Oban and Lagavulin.
Glenkinchie Distiller’s Edition
Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
$70.06
($100.08 per litre)
One of Diageo’s original Classic Malts, Glenkinchie produces a bright and citrussy spirit with an affinity for American oak. Finishing in casks seasoned with dry amontillado sherry adds a distinctive nuttiness and a dry, complex finish to this iconic Lowland whisky.
Style
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
Vanilla 
Black Pepper
Tobacco
Oak
Dried Fruit
Grape
Talisker Distillers Edition
Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky
$70.06
($100.08 per litre)
A colossus of the whisky world. This sought after release finds Talisker’s rugged, coastal profile softened by the influence of sweet amoroso wine. This style of cream sherry, once quite popular in the UK, is made by blending dry oloroso with rich Pedro Ximenez.
Style
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
- Black Pepper
Walnut
Smoke
Leather- Tobacco
- Dried Fruit
Cragganmore Distillers Edition
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
$84.08
($120.11 per litre)
We see precious few official releases of Cragganmore, so this annual bottling is always a treat. American oak casks seasoned with rich Port wine add layers of red fruit and some subtle tannins to this characterful Speyside malt.
Style
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
- Vanilla
Cherry
Dark Chocolate- Oak
- Dried Fruit
Plums
Caol Ila Distillers Edition
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
$78.68
($112.41 per litre)
A light Moscatel finish adds welcome roundness to this stalwart Islay whisky. The sweet Spanish fortified wine provides a counterpoint to Caol Ila’s coastal minerality and fine peat smoke, without overwhelming its essential elegance. A masterclass in cask finishing.
Style
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
Lemon
Salt (powder)- Smoke
Toffee- Dried Fruit
- Plums
Oban Distillers Edition
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
$86.23
($123.19 per litre)
Montilla fino, is a dry wine – similar to fino sherry – produced in the Spanish province of Córdoba. Finishing in casks seasoned with dry Montilla plays up Oban’s coastal, slightly smoky characteristics while adding a moreish sense of umami.
Style
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
- Vanilla
Brine- Tobacco
Cream- Dried Fruit
Caramel
Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition
Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
$77.61
($110.87 per litre)
One of the most gentle and refined entries in Diageo’s Classic Malts series, Dalwhinnie’s honeyed character and pleasant weightiness is always a joy to revisit. This is even more true when it is lent some extra richness through finishing in nutty oloroso sherry seasoned casks.
Style
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
- Vanilla
- Walnut
Chestnut
Honey - Oak
- Dried Fruit
Lagavulin Distillers Edition
Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
$99.18
($141.68 per litre)
To its fans, Lagavulin remains the absolute benchmark. The classic formula of fruity peated malt with some nutty sherry influence is augmented here through finishing in sweet Pedro Ximenez casks. An essential bottle for anyone who loves peat and sherry.
Style
- Body
- Richness
- Smoke
- Sweetness
Character
Raisins - Salt (powder)
- Smoke
- Dark Chocolate
- Toffee
- Dried Fruit
About the Distillers Editions
This famed series grew out of the Classic Malts, a collection of six single malt whiskies brought to market by United Distillers – the forerunner to Diageo – in the late-1980s. As interest in these distilleries grew over the following decade, Diageo’s whisky makers began to experiment with cask finishing so as to offer fans a different take on the drams they had grown to love. The first Distillers Editions arrived on shelves in 1996 and while the line-up has seen some changes over the years, the Classic Malts have remained constant.