A rare taste of Scotland: Diageo Luxury Group launches the Rare Series with five remarkable new whiskies
By Michelle Johnson | 30 April 2026 | Food & Drink
Legendary distilleries Glenury Royal, Talisker, Caol Ila, Clynelish and Blair Athol represent the inaugural Rare Series collection
Diageo Luxury Group has introduced the Rare Series – a striking new collection of single malts poised to redefine whisky rarity and provenance. Launching with five remarkable expressions, the Rare Series will be available to private clients exclusively via global registration with Diageo’s Private Client teams from 30 April.
The collection pays homage to Scotland’s rich whisky tradition, curated with a craftsman’s attention to detail to inspire both the senses and the imagination. Each bottle is drawn from some of the most extraordinary whiskies in Diageo’s vast reserves – which include more than 10 million casks across 30 distilleries. The collection spans the breadth of Scotland’s whisky regions, from the Highland heartlands and the wild northern coast to the storm-battered shores of Islay and the Isle of Skye.
The centrepiece of this debut series is the Glenury Royal 1970 Rare Series, a 55-year-old jewel from the legendary ghost distillery. Matured in American Oak hogsheads, this is the oldest single malt Diageo has ever released and, despite its age, displays a delicate balance indicative of the east Highlands: layers of fruit, gentle smoke, and a lingering, spicy finish.
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Four other exceptional whiskies join Glenury Royal. Talisker 1992 Rare Series, a 33-year-old from a singular experimental batch, delivers a long, satisfying finish, blending sea salt and fruitcake notes with the signature maritime character that sets this Isle of Skye classic apart. Caol Ila 1983 Rare Series – aged 42 years and the oldest ever from the Islay distillery – offers a harmonious blend of sweet fruit and smoky power that is rounded with unexpected elegance. Meanwhile, the stunning fragrance of the Clynelish 1983 Rare Series is a perfectly balanced Highland treasure punctuated with waxy, floral notes of lavender and rose.
Completing the collection, Blair Athol 1991 Rare Series has been matured in ex-Sherry European oak and finished in Pedro Ximenez-seasoned new American oak hogsheads, resulting in an extraordinary depth and richness, with a long spicy finish ending in a dark chocolate aftertaste. With only a few bottles available worldwide for each release, these whiskies truly embody exclusivity and allure.
“It is a privilege to unearth the exceptional Scotch Whiskies Rare Series, a collection celebrating the remarkable breadth of Scotland’s scattered whisky treasures,” says Diageo master blender Dr Craig Wilson. “From the experimental richness of Talisker 1992 Rare Series to the historic Glenury Royal which has been aged for over half a century, and a Clynelish which embodies the distillery’s signature waxy character, each expression showcases rarity, diversity, and meticulous craftsmanship. We look forward to seeing the series evolve with future additions to come.”
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Extending Diageo Luxury Group’s Private Client experiences, supported by Justerini & Brooks, collectors and clients will be granted a world of tailored experiences such as exclusive tastings, invitation-only gatherings, and immersive journeys through Scotland’s whisky landscapes to discover the Rare Series in a true sensory immersion.
“Rare Series is an ode to Scotland’s rich whisky heritage and its enduring influence on the world of luxury, where rarity is not created, but revealed over time,” adds Julie Bramham, managing director of Diageo Luxury Group. “Through this collection, we have curated exceptional whiskies while opening the door to deeply personal experiences, connecting our global community of Private Clients to the stories, the people, and the legacy behind them.”
