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Casks of Distinction announces ‘The Twelve’: the world’s rarest and finest whiskies
By Michelle Johnson | 16 December 2024 | Food & Drink
A “vanishingly rare” Brora single malt headlines The Twelve for the first time in the 2024 showcase
Aldourie Castle on the banks of Loch Ness played host to a showcase of the finest and rarest whiskies in the world on 27 November, as Diageo’s Casks of Distinction launched The Twelve to collectors in a spectacular ‘trunk show’ exhibit.
Representing the very best Scotch whiskies that have come to fruition this year – selected from some 10 million maturing casks under Diageo custodianship across Scotland – the collection this year included a “vanishingly rare” cask from the Brora distillery, which this year celebrated its new make spirit coming of age as its first new Scotch whisky in 40 years.
Julie Bramham, managing director of the newly formed Diageo Luxury Group, was on hand to welcome private clients and connoisseurs to the event. “At Diageo, we are hugely privileged to have in our care more than 10 million casks of maturing Scotch Whisky crafted by distinguished makers, harnessing generations of experience,” she told guests. “This year, our talented team has curated an exceptional collection, selecting but 12 casks from the millions available – hand-selected whiskies that are of incredible diversity and depth. The presentation of this capsule collection is our definitive annual luxury Scotch spectacle, staged for those who know whisky intimately, understand its value, and appreciate the craft and time that goes into its making.”
The ultra-rare collection represents the far reaches of Scotland, with malts from distilleries including Talisker, Clynelish, Caol Ila and Royal Lochnagar. Each cask is distilled on a single day, at a single distillery, and still maturing, set in future to be housed in the Casks of Distinction warehouse in the shadow of Balmoral Castle on Royal Deeside. This year’s selection was curated by Diageo’s master whisky makers, who dedicate more than 4,200 hours annually to sourcing and assessing casks for the exclusive programme.
A special dedication was made to “The Twelfth Cask”: the Brora 1977 #2845 Cask of Distinction. The 47-year-old hogshead cask was discovered by master whisky maker Dr Craig Wilson, who described the expression as: “One of the rarest and most valuable casks in all of Diageo’s custodianship, this wonderfully old Brora is perfectly formed at 47 years of age, gentle but complex, unique and unrepeatable.”
Tod Bradbury, global private client director at Diageo Luxury Group said: “Casks of Distinction continues to set the standard for luxury spirits. The diversity and excellence of our Scotch Whisky stocks have captured global interest, with demand for casks in our inaugural showcase exceeding expectations fivefold. This year we are delighted to present a Brora 1977 #2845. Entire casks from Brora are rarely, if ever, made available and this offers our collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of this iconic distillery’s past, present and future.”
Among this year’s distinctive collection, other incredible finds include the oldest Talisker ever to be released from the distillery from 1975, and a Royal Lochnagar 1988 from the home of Casks of Distinction. The final exceptional casks came from Linkwood 1990, Inchgower 1992, Cragganmore 1990, Auchroisk 1991, Caol Ila 1990, Benrinnes 1992, Dalwhinnie 1989, Clynelish 1990 and finally a Talisker 1986.
Attendees from around the world enjoyed a feast created by two Michelin star chef Jordan Bailey, who paired his menu with fine wines from the Justerini & Brooks collection.