Diageo, in collaboration with cable and satellite television network HBO, has released a second limited-edition Game of Thrones range, this time a Single Malt Whisky Collection.
As reported, Diageo last year unveiled a limited-edition White Walker by Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky* inspired by the hit television show Game of Thrones.
The new collection celebrates the eighth and final season of the popular TV series, which is based on series of novels by American author George R. R. Martin. The expressions will be available on Amazon, and in selected UK and USA domestic retailers, later this week and will roll out in global travel retail by the end of March.
The collection features eight Scotch whiskies, each paired with one of the Houses of Westeros [the Westeros continent depicted in the Game of Thrones is split into several different regions, each ruled by a different family], as well as the Night’s Watch.
Diageo said the collection was inspired by similarities between its Scottish distilleries and the Westeros continent depicted in the series. The range includes:
- Game of Thrones House Stark – Dalwhinnie Winter’s Frost; ABV 43%
- Game of Thrones House Tully – Singleton of Glendullan Select; ABV 40%
- Game of Thrones House Targaryen – Cardhu Gold Reserve; ABV 40%
- Game of Thrones House Lannister – Lagavulin 9yo; ABV 46%
- Game of Thrones The Night’s Watch – Oban Bay Reserve; ABV 43%
- Game of Thrones House Greyjoy – Talisker Select Reserve; ABV 45.8%
- Game of Thrones House Baratheon – Royal Lochnagar 12yo; ABV 40%
- Game of Thrones House Tyrell – Clynelish Reserve; ABV 51.2%.
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Diageo said the collection aims to offer “an authentic storyline” between each House and single malt pairing, and highlighted two expressions.
Game of Thrones House Targaryen – Cardhu Gold Reserve is “fuelled by the fiery spirit of the female leadership of Daenerys Targaryen, celebrating legendary women and their unwavering perseverance”. The Cardhu Distillery was pioneered by Helen Cumming and her daughter-in-law Elizabeth during the 1800s, a time when the whisky industry was almost entirely male-dominated.
Royal lineage was behind the pairing for Game of Thrones House Baratheon – Royal Lochnagar 12yo. Diageo underlined the similarity between Robert Baratheon’s rule over the Seven Kingdoms upon the Iron Throne to Royal Lochnagar being granted a Royal Warrant after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited the distillery in 1848.
Diageo Global Reserve Marketing & Malts Director Pedro Mendonca said: “We’re excited that the Game of Thrones Single Malt Scotch Whisky Collection will be hitting shelves in more countries around the world. We are always trying to find fun and interesting ways to introduce our Scotch portfolio and what better way than partnering with Game of Thrones, one of the most successful TV series ever created.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating the final season of the show by toasting with whiskies that authentically pay homage to some of the greatest characters and houses.”
*White Walker by Johnnie Walker is inspired by the White Walkers – an ancient race of humanoid ice creatures who come from the Far North of Westeros – that also appear in the Game of Thrones show.
