Diageo's Special Releases 2023

Diageo recently unveiled its "Spirited Xchange" Special Releases 2023, in Malaysia, featuring eight single malt whiskies that were hand-selected by Master Blender Stuart Morrison.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Dundas

The Johnnie Walker Ghost and Rare series is developed using “ghost” whiskies and other rare expressions from reserves used for the Johnnie Walker Blue Label. 

Image: JW HK

This 5th limited edition release features whiskies from the Glasgow “ghost” distillery of Port Dundas. Port Dundas, which was built in 1811 and closed in 2010, shipped its Scotch from Glasgow to ports across the world for nearly 200 years. 

This bottling follows the release of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Pittyvaich (2021), Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Glenury Royal (2019), Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen (2018) and Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Brora (2017). 

The Singleton of Glen Ord - Forgotten Drop Series

The happy Singleton family (Image: MHDM)

A group of us were whisked off to Genting's exclusive Ltitude to check out the launch of The Singleton's Forgotten Drop Series which is an annual release drawn from the brand’s rarest whiskies.

Before the main event, we were plied with the loads of 12 year old (the legal sort, of course) straight or via the bar's own Glen Sour (Singleton 12, lemon juice, maraschino cherry, gula melaka, dark walnut bitters, orange peel oils and egg white) which was like having dessert before the mains (so naughty!). The 15 and 18 from the core range was also served.

Thanks for feeding us and making sure that we drink responsibly (Image: MHDM)

Of course, we can't drink on an empty stomach. We were fed with a full 4 course meal, curated by Steven Chou Yu Liang, the Chef De Cuisine at The Olive to pair with the whiskies.

The supporting star of the night was the 18 Year Old Cask Strength, which is also newly launched in Malaysia to celebrate the distillery’s 180th anniversary. Bottled at 58.4% ABV it is only made available selectively with the starting price of RM 624.00.

On the nose, I get coffee, some creme brulee, dark fruits, a hint of sulphur. With some water, the vanilla opens up. On the mouth, viscous, oily... It feels like it's evaporating from the moment it touches my tongue.

With our stomach lined, and appetite whetted, the star of the show was finally presented - The Singleton of Glen Ord 41 Year Old. It's limited to 600 bottles worldwide and only 24 bottles in Malaysia. Bottled at 49.9% ABV, it retails at RM 15,193.00 per bottle.

Matured in a refilled American oak (which is quite unusual for the Singleton), I get nangka fumes on the nose... some marzipan... fruit cake, perhaps?

What a treat!

Rajesh Joshi (MD of MHDM),  Ervin Trykowski, (The Singleton Global Scotch Whisky Ambassador) and
Chou Yu Liang, (Chef De Cuisine at The Olive) joined the party too.  (Image: MHDM)

Contact diageoinfo@mhdm.com.my if you're interested in getting any one of these babies and if you get it, as usual, don't forget to jio!

Thanks for the lovely time, guys! Slainte!


For more: https://www.malts.com/en-gb/our-whisky-collection/the-singleton-of-glen-ord/

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Diageo Classic Malts Tasting Session

Diageo recently held a tasting session featuring some of its Classic Malts collection which include Clynelish 14 Year Old, Dalwhinnie 15 Year Old, Oban 14 Year Old.

The highlight of the evening was the Benrinnes 21 Year Old from Diageo’s Casks of Distinction.

What is “Diageo’s Casks of Distinction”? It is a limited program where customers can purchase the entire casks from selected distilleries, and then choose to either bottle it or continue ageing it for bottling at a later date.