Diageo reveals 2022 Special Releases
The world's biggest Scotch distiller, Diageo, has launched Elusive Expressions, its 2022 Special Releases whisky collection.
The eight aged whiskies were hand selected by master blender Dr Craig Wilson. He said: “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 bought 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.” Elusive Expression is the latest launch in Special Releases, which features ‘striking’ artwork and communicates stories. The eight whiskies include: the Mortlach (57.8% ABV, RRP £250/US$270), from the Speyside Dufftown distillery; Talisker 11-Year-Old (55.1% ABV, RRP £110/US$119), from Isle of Skye; Lagavulin 12-Year-Old (57.3% ABV, RRP £135/US$146), from Islay; The Singleton of Glen Ord 15-Year-Old (57.3% ABV, RRP £120/US$130), from the Highlands; Cardhu 16-Year-Old (58% ABV, RRP £160/US$173), from Speyside; Oban 10-Year-Old (57.1% ABV, RRP £105/US$113), from the coastal Highlands; Cameronbridge 26-Year-Old (56.2% ABV, RRP £275/US$299), from the Lowland region; Clynenish 12-Year-Old (58.5% ABV, RRP £175/US$189), from the Highlands. While the Glen Ord bottling was aged in refill American and European oak casks, then double-matured in wine-seasoned casks, the ‘unusual’ Clynelish was matured in refill American oak and then finished in PX/oloroso-seasoned casks. Illustrator Ken Taylor returns this year with his signature style, alongside digital visualisation artist Kevin Tong. The two have partnered to create designs that ‘hero’ the brand’s protagonists, ‘fusing fantasy, art and whisky’. The release coincides with the unveiling of a book called Elusive Expressions Cocktails and Serves, in which cocktail making is ‘reframed’ through characters and journeys. The book was created by Diageo’s brand ambassadors, and explores the 'legends' behind Mortlach, The Singleton, Lagavulin and Talisker. The 2022 Special Releases collection will be rolled out on a limited basis from specialist Scotch whisky retailers from 1 October this year. Today (29 September), it was announced that Diageo had purchased Mr Black coffee liqueur. The 2021 iteration of the Special Releases collection was called Legends Untold.
