There’s no whisky firm that loves particular releases greater than Diageo, and for summer season 2026, it’s bringing us a model new sequence of ultra-rare choices to salivate over. The brand new Diageo Uncommon & Distinctive Sequence is terribly valuable: It’s solely going to be bought by means of Diageo’s Non-public Consumer community, not normal retail channels.
The inaugural lineup of the Diageo Uncommon Sequence spans 5 single malts, the youngest of which is 33 years previous and the oldest of which is 55 years previous — the oldest single malt Diageo has ever launched. All 5 releases yielded inventory to the tune of just some hundred bottles every. (Particulars on every launch comply with.)
Diageo Uncommon Sequence Blair Athol 34 Years Outdated 1991 Assessment
Highland malt, aged in a refill European oak sherry cask (the primary time Blair Athol has ever been aged in sherry) and completed in Pedro Ximenez-seasoned new American oak hogsheads. Wild on the nostril, this whisky is nearly overwhelming with the unmistakable aroma of PX sherry, intense with notes of raisins and incense, growing to function darkish chocolate layered over cinnamon-spiced caramel.
The palate is immediately wealthy and spicy however fairly encumbered by a lot sherry affect. An intense shade of burnt umber, the warming malt leans into its nutty parts, hazelnuts giving means in time to earthy graphite and slate, then anise crumbled atop forest flooring notes. Raisins cling exhausting on the end, nearly pruny due to a thick, undulating physique that by no means needs to launch its grip. 101.6 proof. 347 bottles produced. A little bit goes a good distance. B+ / $900
Diageo Uncommon Sequence Talisker 33 Years Outdated 1992 Assessment
Aged in refill bourbon and sherry casks — and completed for over 20 lengthy years in Amoroso-seasoned American oak hogsheads. (Amoroso is made by mixing PX or moscatel wine with oloroso sherry.) The nostril is extraordinarily effusive with PX sherry aromas — excess of the Blair Athol — with an intense aroma of raisin and baking spice, leaning into cardamom and clove because it develops within the glass. To name this atypical of usually smoky-briny Talisker can be the understatement of the yr. I believe it’s secure to say that is in contrast to any Talisker ever produced.
The fruity palate instantly approximates fruitcake wrapped in licorice twists — very candy with notes of candied fruit and at last ending with delicate hints of traditional maritime notes, gently salty and windswept with wisps of bonfire smoke. Tasted from a really small pattern, sadly. 120.2 proof. 331 bottles produced. A- / $1300
Diageo Uncommon Sequence Caol Ila 42 Years Outdated 1983 Assessment
Aged in bourbon barrels, married in sherry puncheons for an unspoken size of time. Timeless notes of ultra-smoky Caol Ila permeate the nostril, a traditional seaside aroma of seashore bonfire and salty seaweed pulled moist from the ocean. The palate reveals one thing far sweeter than you’d count on from the nostril alone, a mixture of preserved citrus, baking spice, and flambeed banana, all laced with honey and smoldering with notes of gritty creosote and bonfire ash. Not too far off your Caol Ila expectations, regardless of the extraordinarily superior age. 112.8 proof. 318 bottles produced. B+ / $3000
Diageo Uncommon Sequence Clynelish 42 Years Outdated 1983 Assessment
Highland malt aged in American oak hogsheads, no end. A traditional, well-aged Scotch that, whereas simple, is stuffed with appeal. Almonds and nougat inform a nostril that in any other case sees effusive brown sugar, toasted cereal, and a vigorous floral character that includes lilac and honeysuckle. That not possible freshness follows by means of on the palate, candy with toasted marshmallow, honey, and a floral high quality that one way or the other will get bolder and bolder because the end approaches. Fairly racy at 49.5% abv, the spiced/salted caramel notes on the end come out of nowhere contemplating this whisky’s superior age. 99 proof. 160 bottles produced. A / $4000
Diageo Uncommon Sequence Glenury Royal 55 Years Outdated 1970 Assessment
So right here it’s: The oldest single malt in Diageo’s historical past, from a distillery that was shuttered in 1983. Aged in American oak hogsheads and married in European oak puncheons. Someway nonetheless clinging to 62.4% abv, unheard-of for Scotch whisky of this age. I’ll be frank that this isn’t my favourite whisky within the lineup. The nostril is sharp and biting, hard-edged with black pepper and a solvent word that does it few favors. That mentioned, the aroma is totally distinctive, a mixture of spice field, cedar planks, potpourri, and wooden varnish all in a swirl. The palate makes a sweeter diversion however stays advanced and scattered, with burnt almond evoking a light-weight smokiness, ending with menthol and extra of that industrial edge. Water — the one time I added it to something on this lineup — helps fairly a bit, coaxing out a waxy honey character and fragrant pear notes. Must you pony up for a glass of this, you’ll need water on the prepared from the beginning. 114.8 proof. 232 bottles produced. B / $6350
Diageo Uncommon Sequence Clynelish 42 Years Outdated 1983
USD4000
