Does the Diageo Special Releases 2016 range need an introduction? For anyone who’s entered the single malt whisky scene in recent years, the choice and array of bottlings, brands and releases can be overwhelming. Almost 30 years ago now, the situation was very different when Diageo launched “The Classic Malts” – first into travel retail in 1988, and then into the domestic market in 1989. Those six whiskies (Glenkinchie, Cragganmore, Oban, Dalwhinnie, Talisker, and Lagavulin) became the vehicle through which hundreds of thousands of people were introduced to malt whisky. For close to a decade they were almost the definitive collection and – notwithstanding the omnipresence of the likes of Glenfiddich and Glenlivet – it was only by the late 1990’s that other brands and recognisable labels started to consistently appear in regular retail outlets.
Tag: Classic Malts
Lagavulin 8yo and the 200th Anniversary release
This article looks in detail at the Lagavulin 8yo expression, which is quite the story. Over the years, I’ve had countless discussions with whisky enthusiasts from all backgrounds about that magic moment in their life: When did they first try a single malt, and which one was it? It astounds me how often people tell me their first single malt was Lagavulin. And, for the record, it was my first single malt, too.
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The Last Drop – 48yo whisky
The Last Drop Distillers is a brand you may not have heard of, much less seen a bottle of at your local liquor outlet. If not by design, then this is certainly by necessity – for this is a label that deals with whisky that is both scarce and small scale.
The story of the company itself is a wonderfully rich, dare I say, romantic tale: Three gentlemen, all long involved in the whisky and drinks trades, had remarkable and successful years and careers in the industry. Between them, they were behind the creation and development of brands such as J&B Rare, Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, The Classic Malts range, Baileys and Malibu.
And so, despite reaching that time in life when retirement beckons, these gentlemen instead decided to team up in 2008 and form a new force: A company that focussed on the world’s finest, rarest, and most exclusive spirits. The Last Drop Distillers Limited is thus not a distillery, nor a single malt, but a brand and label that sources, bottles, and releases exceptionally old and rare spirits.
Lagavulin or Laphroaig – which is better?
It’s the question every Islay whisky fan asks themselves at some point in their whisky journey: Laphroaig or Lagavulin – which one is better? Is there a definitive answer? Yes, there’s some juicy stuff we can explore over the next minute or two…
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