Diageo has launched its annual special releases collection. The 2022 collection is titled Elusive Expressions and is similar in its fantastical designs from the 2021 special releases collection. The collection features stories from “Psychedelic Legends Untold”
“Today we reveal and introduce Elusive Expressions, a boundary-pushing collection with flavours and finishes that truly redefine what cask-strength whiskies can be. From abundantly rich, to strikingly rare flavours, each one is vividly brought to life with new energy. Featuring some of our oldest whisky dynasties, we’ve embraced the flavour contrasts that exist within the collection, to create an unexpected whisky experience.” ~ Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson
Ken Taylor and Kevin Tong have teamed up to create designs that merge fantasy, art and whisky
The lineup consists of eight whiskies that were selected by master blender Dr Craig Wilson and they are the following:
- Mortlach (57.8% ABV, RRP £250/US$270)
- Talisker 11 Year Old (55.1% ABV, RRP £110/US$119)
- Lagavulin 12 Year Old (57.3% ABV, RRP £135/US$146)
- The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old (57.3% ABV, RRP £120/US$130)
- Cardhu 16 Year Old (58% ABV, RRP £160/US$173)
- Oban 10 Year Old (57.1% ABV, RRP £105/US$113)
- Cameronbridge 26 Year Old (56.2% ABV, RRP £275/US$299)
- Clynelish 12 Year Old (58.5% ABV, RRP £175/US$189)
Mortlach Cask Strength (57.8% ABV)
Titled 'The Lure of the Blood Moon'. The bottle has no age statement and has been finished in Tawny Port, Red Muscato and Virgin Oak casks. The combination has created a whisky that is incredibly rich but still has Mortlach’s classic dark, meaty character with additional hints of sweetness and complexity.
Talisker 11 Year Old (55.1% ABV)
Titled 'The Lustrous Creature of the Depths' an 11 year old single malt matured in first fill American Oak ex-bourbon, refill and wine-seasoned casks. This combination has created layers of flavour, oily texture and a sweet, smoky-spicy, salty and fruity taste.
Lagavulin 12 Year Old (57.3% ABV)
Titled 'The Flames of the Phoenix' which is a 12 year old Lagavulin single malt matured in heavily peated American Oak refill and virgin oak casks. This combination has created a beautiful Lagavulin that is packed with peatyness, saltiness, spice and smoke.
The Singleton of Glen Ord 15 Year Old (57.3% ABV)
Titled 'The Enchantress of the Ruby Solstice' which is a 15 year old Singleton of Glen Ord single malt matured in refill American & European Oak, then double matured in wine-seasoned casks. This combination has created a whisky with light notes of wine and fruit that are complex, smooth, and rich in the classical distillery fashion.
Cardhu 16 Year Old (58% ABV)
Titled 'The Hidden Paradise of Black Rock' which is a 16 year old Cardhu single malt matured in refill and re-charred American Oak, then finished in Jamaican Pot Still Rum-seasoned casks. This combination created a whisky that is light, lively and refreshing while also being quite full and sweet with a surprisingly spicy, peppery finish.
Oban 10 Year Old (57.1% ABV)
Titled 'The Celestial Blaze' which is a 10 year old Oban single malt matured in refill and new American Oak, then in Amontillado-seasoned casks. This combination has created a whisky that is silky smooth with a full sweet fruitiness, and touches of light smoke, salt, and peppery spice.
Cameronbridge 26 Year Old (56.2% ABV)
Titled 'The Knight’s Golden Triumph' which is a 26 year old Cameronbridge single grain matured in refill American Oak casks. This has created a succulently sweet and smooth whisky on the front, but lurking underneath it is packed plenty of spice.
Clynelish 12 Year Old (58.5% ABV)
Titled 'The Wildcats Golden Gaze' which is a 12 year old Clynelish single malt matured in refill American Oak, then in PX Oloroso seasoned casks. This combination has created a vibrant fun sweet fruitiness that melds with a strong oakiness to create a signature Clynelish packed with sweet-spicy intensity.
The 2022 collection release has an additional parallel release of a book called Elusive Expressions Cocktails and Serves. The book takes cocktail making to another level and shows the recipes through characters and journeys. Diageo’s brand ambassadors created the book and it also explores in depth distilleries such as the Singleton, Lagavulin and Talisker.
The collection will be released for purchase on a limited basis from specialist Scotch whisky retailers from October 1st 2022. You can preorder them here.
Recently Diageo has just called off the sale of its Windsor brand.
