Lap #5.

Welcome to another edition of "Writmas & The W’s: Whisky, Watches, and Wheels." – your one-stop destination for the latest updates on the world of fine spirits, stylish timepieces, and the hottest wheels on the market. I've got a thrilling lineup for you this week, from the unveiling of Diageo's Special Releases to a nostalgic dive into '90s-inspired watches and an exclusive look at Porsche's track-ready masterpiece. So, grab your favorite dram, get comfy, and let's dive into the world of luxury and speed!

                                                                                          -Mark

Whisky: 🥃 Savoring the Scotch Moments

As Bourbon Heritage Month comes to a close, we're heading to a Scottish pub because, let's be real, Scotch is where my heart is (although I love all brown liquors equally). There's something about sipping on Scotch in its homeland, surrounded by warm hospitality and good company – it can turn anyone into a Scotch aficionado.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

And guess what? It's that time of year when the Diageo Special Cask Strength releases drop just before the holidays. These limited editions are always a treat, and this year's collection is extra special. Master blender Dr. Stuart Morrison curated the lineup for his inaugural release, bringing his expertise to the table.

Standout offerings? You bet! There's a 12-year-old single malt from Roseisle, a distillery established in 2010 to supply malt whisky for Diageo's blends. This release marks Roseisle's debut on the whisky scene. Another highlight is the Mortlach expression, boasting a unique finishing period in whisky casks from Japan's Kanosuke Distillery. Glenkinchie, a Lowland distillery, is making a triumphant return to the Special Releases with a 27-year-old gem. The Singleton of Glendullan also makes a comeback, and familiar faces like Mortlach, Clynelish, Talisker, Lagavulin, and Oban complete the collection. Each bottle is adorned with artwork that visually captures the whisky's tasting notes. Also: The artwork is stunning.

Price bump alert! And here's a downer: these whiskies sport the youngest age statements in the history of the series. Diageo is evolving and diversifying the Special Releases while keeping them accessible to enthusiast, they say. But are they still accessible?

This Year's Offerings:

  • Mortlach The Katana’s Edge

    • Style: Single malt

    • Origin: Scotland (Speyside)

    • Age: Not stated

    • ABV: 58%

    • Price: $280

      • Mortlach has been a Special Releases regular since 2019, when Diageo returned it to the series for the first time since 2004. This year’s non-age statement release is finished in pinot noir and Japanese whisky casks from Kanosuke Distillery, a distillery in Kagoshima that has received investment from Distill Ventures, the Diageo-backed accelerator platform for up-and-coming spirit brands.

  • Talisker The Wild Explorer

    • Style: Single malt

    • Origin: Scotland (Skye)

    • Age: Not stated

    • ABV: 59.7%

    • Price: $135

      • Talisker has been included over 20 times in the Diageo Special Releases, appearing every year since 2001 other than 2011 and 2014–2017. This is the first non-age statement Talisker in the series, and it was finished in a combination of white, tawny, and ruby port casks.

  • Clynelish 10 year old The Jazz Crescendo

    • Style: Single malt

    • Origin: Scotland (Highlands)

    • Age: 10 year old

    • ABV: 57.5%

    • Price: $200

      • This is only the fourth appearance of Clynelish in the Diageo Special Releases, and this one was matured in first-fill bourbon barrels.

  • Oban 11 year old The Soul of Calypso

    • Style: Single malt

    • Origin: Scotland (Highlands)

    • Age: 11 year old

    • ABV: 58%

    • Price: $140

      • The seventh appearance for Oban in Diageo Special Releases, this year’s expression was finished in Caribbean pot distilled rum casks.

  • Lagavulin 12 year old The Ink of Legends

    • Style: Single malt

    • Origin: Scotland (Islay)

    • Age: 12 year old

    • ABV: 56.4%

    • Price: $170

      • The Diageo Special Releases have included 28 expressions from Lagavulin in the last 23 years, with the cask strength 12 year old making an appearance every year since 2002. This year is the first Lagavulin in the series to be finished in Don Julio añejo tequila casks, though Diageo previously released a Lagavulin Islay Jazz Festival 13 year old bottling finished in mezcal casks in 2021.

  • Roseisle 12 year old The Origami Kite

    • Style: Single malt

    • Origin: Scotland (Speyside)

    • Age: 12 year old

    • ABV: 56.5%

    • Price: $150

      • Matured in first-fill bourbon and refill casks, this is the first public release of Roseisle as a single malt, though whisky made at Roseisle was included in Collectivum XXVIII, the blended malt whisky released as part of the Diageo Special Releases in 2017.

  • Singleton of Glendullan 14 year old The Silken Gown

    • Style: Single malt

    • Origin: Scotland (Speyside)

    • Age: 14 year old

    • ABV: 55%

    • Price: $135

      • Until now, Singleton of Glendullan was only included in the Diageo Special Releases in 2014 and 2021. This third expression is the youngest Glendullan in the series to date, and it was finished in Chardonnay de Bourgogne French oak casks.

  • Glenkinchie 27 year old The Floral Treasure

    • Style: Single malt

    • Origin: Scotland (Lowlands)

    • Age: 27 year old

    • ABV: 58.3%

    • Price: $400

      • Glenkinchie made its Special Releases debut in 2007, and this is only the fourth Glenkinchie in the history of the series and the oldest to date. It was matured in refill American and European oak barrels and butts.

That's quite a bit to unpack. While the price increase was somewhat anticipated, it shifts these bottles from being a "must-have" to more of a "nice-to-have" category for me. Over the years, I've made it a tradition to try and secure bottles of Oban, Talisker, and Lagavulin from the Special Releases collection. However, I'm leaning towards skipping Lagavulin this time around and possibly only picking up the Oban. It's essential to note that my interest in these releases leans more toward sentimental value rather than their actual market value. Paying $140 for a cask-strength 11-year-old whisky is undeniably on the pricey side. Here 

By the way, just a heads up: I'm currently savoring the Oban 2022 special release while composing this piece. It's a delightful experience with rich notes of dark fruits like plum and berries, complemented by the unmistakable scent of the sea breeze from the Oban harbor. It's a flavor profile that takes me back to those moments sitting in the Oban harbor, enjoying, you guessed it, Oban—specifically, the Oban 18. That's precisely why I'm likely to be drawn to the 2023 release. My sense of smell is exceptionally sensitive and tends to evoke vivid memories when triggered by certain aromas.

Image courtesy of Diageo press release

Enjoy a few snaps from me at the Oban Distillery in 2022!

Watches: ⌚ Rediscovering '90s Nostalgia

Speaking of magic, the '80s and '90s color schemes are making a triumphant return in the world of watches! Remember those days when you rocked oversized button-up shirts wide open over a tee, paired with light-washed denim and high-top sneakers? Arcades, black lights, laser tag (those shocking laser tags, anyone?), Backstreet Boys, Dunkaroos, Gushers, ice cream trucks, Lunchables, Rugrats, Cat-Dog, Rocket Power, Game Boy Color, PlayStation 1, Sega Genesis, N64 – you get the picture. I, uhh, still rock most of those things… Especially the outfit 🕹️

Images courtesy of Worn & Wound Release

Well, Worn & Wound just brought all that nostalgia back with the Zodiac Sea Wolf "Laser Tag" Limited Editions. Imagine stepping into your favorite laser tag arena from the '90s, but this time, it's on your wrist!

Introducing the limited edition Super Sea Wolf in "Ultraviolet" and "Infrared" colors. These timepieces rock a 40mm stainless steel case with a slick grey DLC coating. The Ultraviolet version sports a deep purple dial with mint, blue, and green accents, while the Infrared variant brings the heat with a fiery scarlet dial featuring hints of pink, red, and purple.

Images courtesy of Worn & Wound Release

But here's the real kicker – under blacklight, these dials come alive with glowing crosshairs, a fully illuminated chapter ring, and luminous hands, hour markers, and bezel elements in vibrant shades of green and blue. The case joins the party with lumed elements throughout. Even the leather strap gets in on the action, revealing a mesmerizing crisscrossing pattern under blacklight. In regular low-light conditions, you can still count on the hands, dial markers, and bezel pip to keep the glow alive.

Images courtesy of Worn & Wound Release

This watch collab, inspired by the heydays of '90s laser tag, was brought to life by Zach Weiss from Worn & Wound and took two years to create. The Ultraviolet and Infrared models leave no surface unlit, offering a nostalgic and luminous display that's like stepping into a '90s laser tag showdown – all on your wrist!

Honestly, this watch is pure fun. If I were in the market for one, I'd be all over the Ultraviolet. It's a tad long at 49mm lug-to-lug, but I'd make it work with my 7.5" wrist. Pre-orders started on September 29th for $1,595, and there are only 282 of each model available. Check out Worn & Wound for more info.

Images courtesy of Worn & Wound Release

🗓️ And speaking of Worn & Wound, it's October, which means it's Windup Watch Fair time! From October 20th to 22nd (12-6 Friday and Saturday, 12-5 Sunday), the Altman building in NYC will be buzzing with watch enthusiasts, brand owners, and a dazzling array of watches from different brands. It's an event not to be missed, and I'll be there all three days with some exciting news on the horizon. Hopefully more info to come next week! Hope to see you there! More info.

Wheels: 🏎️ Speed and Style, with a Dash of Exclusivity

Now, let's talk wheels. Back to Porsche – don't worry; I promise a more affordable car next time! 😉 But first, brace yourselves because this vehicle is not street-legal, not homologated, and doesn't comply with any current race series regulations. Exciting, right? 🏁

Porsche's seventh Rennsport Reunion was a party to remember, and they brought an exhilarating gift – a limited edition 911 GT3 R. This track-focused beast, known as the 911 GT3 R Rennsport (no surprises in that name), takes the already fierce GT3 R and cranks up the insanity.

Images courtesy of Porsche's press release

Starting with the bodywork, only the bonnet and roof come from the standard GT3 R. The rest is a blend of sleek aerodynamics, featuring a revamped front end with optimized airflow, side fins, wheel arch air intakes, and digital mirrors for improved efficiency. At the rear, you can't miss the colossal wing – a nod to the 1978 Brumos Porsche 935/77, a Daytona 24 Hours legend. The look is finished off with stunning 18-inch BBS racing rims, and you can paint this speed demon in various historic Porsche race livery-inspired color schemes.

But here's the kicker – only 77 lucky individuals will get to own this beast, making those unique color combos even more exclusive.

Now, let's dive into the numbers because Porsche didn't hold back. The 4.2-liter boxer engine now churns out a jaw-dropping 612bhp (that's 55 more than the GT3 R), and it'll rev all the way up to 9,400rpm. And for that unmistakable "serious racer" sound, Porsche slapped on an un-silenced racing exhaust, although they've got quieter versions with silencers for the noise-sensitive tracks. All this power and exclusivity will set you back a cool $1,046,000. So, if your collection needs a single-seater, track-focused 911 with a roll cage, you know where to look – just make sure those pockets are deep! More info over on Porsche's website.

Images courtesy of Porsche's press release

Alright, back to reality – Subaru of America is dropping some exciting news. They're launching a new WRX! While it's not the WRX STI we've all been waiting for, it's still an enthusiast's dream. Subaru is reaching back to 2006 for inspiration, reviving the TR badge, which stands for "Tuner Ready." 🔧

While Subaru is keeping most details under wraps for now, a teaser image hints at what's in store. The 2006 WRX TR was a no-frills option for those who wanted to customize their ride aftermarket-style. But don't expect the new TR to be as basic as its ancestor. The teaser reveals Brembo brakes and stylish new wheels, and those sleek side skirts suggest more surprises are on the horizon. We can't wait to learn more!

While it probably won't be as budget-friendly as the 2006 model, it's sure to be worth the investment. Expect more details to drop on October 7th at Subiefest in Daytona Beach.

Image courtesy of Subaru of America's Instagram. 

That's a wrap for this week! Lap 5 hit a little harder with the massive Diageo release and my overexcitement dreaming of '90s nostalgia and that Zodiac watch. Oh, and the Porsche I can't afford or drive. But hey, a car guy can dream, right? 😄 

Got any feedback? Shoot me an email; I'd love to hear from you. Catch you all next week!

Cheers! 🥃⌚🚗

Mark

Chief Enthusiast, Wristmas & The W's