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02.11.2026
Diageo Pauses Its Special Releases for 2026
Diageo Pauses Its Special Releases for 2026
No Special Releases This Year
Diageo has confirmed to The Spirits Business that it has "paused its Special Releases collection for the year". The company says it "takes the time to review feedback to ensure that any future offerings meet the current needs of its consumers and customers".
Diageo has not said whether or when the series will return, and it has given no timeline.
A Series Running Since 2001
The Special Releases began in 2001 with three bottlings, including the first Port Ellen. There were seven in 2002, including the first Brora. From 2003 to 2017 the series usually had nine to 11 bottlings.
Port Ellen and Brora were absent in 2018, after Diageo announced plans to reopen both distilleries. Since 2019 each edition has had its own theme and about eight bottlings with similar label designs. Talisker, Lagavulin and Caol Ila have also appeared often.
The Most Recent Editions
Recent themes were Rare by Nature (2020), Legends Untold (2021 and 2022), Spirited Xchange (2023 and 2024) and most recently Horizons Unbound (2025).
From the 2025 edition, Spiritory lists bottles including Oban 12 Years Old Diageo Special Release 2025, Lagavulin 12 Years Old Diageo Special Releases 2025 and Roseisle 14 Years Old Diageo Special Release 2025. From 2024, it lists the Talisker 8 Years Old Tidal Churn Diageo Special Releases 2024, among others.
What Else Is Happening at Diageo
The pause comes in a year of change. Diageo is restructuring under CEO Dave Lewis and has pledged to cut 2,000 jobs. The company has not linked this to the Special Releases.
Limited releases have not stopped. At the end of April 2026 Diageo launched its Rare Series, five single malts including a 55 year old Glenury Royal 1970, which Whisky Advocate describes as the oldest whisky Diageo has ever released.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be Diageo Special Releases in 2026?
No. Diageo has confirmed that it has paused the series for this year.
Why has Diageo paused the series?
The company says it is reviewing feedback so that future offerings meet the current needs of its consumers and customers.
Will the Special Releases come back?
That is open. Diageo has neither announced a return nor given a timeline.
What was the most recent edition?
Horizons Unbound in 2025. The series has run since 2001.
About the author
Spiritory Team
Spiritory is a team of dedicated Whisky, Rum and Spirits Enthusiast. Our passion for the product, craftmanship and art of producing the finest spirits in the world will be represented in every article we write on our blog-page. Our goal is to produce content which is interesting to read and for a broad base of consumers, enthusiasts, investors and collectors.