Diageo Special Releases 2021: Legends Untold

by Melita Kiely

Leading spirits producer Diageo has revealed the single malts selected for this year's Special Releases collection, called Legends Untold.

The Special Releases collection will be available this autumn from specialist retailers across Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, select markets in Asia and global travel retail. In a first for the annual series, the bottles will feature heavily detailed illustrations and design work from digital illustrator Ken Taylor. The ‘legends’ of each whisky can be activated via on-pack QR codes, beginning with a narration of the single malts’ tale. Whisky fans will then be guided through a ‘mixed reality’ tasting experience. Dr Craig Wilson, master blender, said: “We have delved into the core characteristics of several classic distilleries, exploring the elements and reimagining the liquids for the Legends Untold collection. “The mythical creatures of this year’s collection represent the true expressions of the distilleries. “Taking inspiration from them, we have revealed new depths of flavour and embraced the essence of each of the whiskies’ unique flavour profiles revealing the legend it brings to life. This year’s collection is just the very beginning of the story.” The Legends Untold whiskies are:

Mortlach 13 Years Old

MortlachABV: 55.9% Region: Speyside Cask: Virgin and refill American oak casks Bottles available: Limited quantities RRP: £135 (US$181)

Singleton of Glendullan 19 Years Old

SingletonABV: 54.6% Region: Speyside Cask: Refill American oak casks, finished in Cognac casks Bottles available: Limited quantities RRP: £140 (US$188)

Talisker 8 Years Old

TaliskerABV: 59.7% Region: Island/ Isle of Skye Cask: Heavily peated refill casks Bottles available: Limited quantities RRP: £90 (US$121)

Lagavulin 26 Years Old

Lagavulin 26 Special ReleasesABV: 44.2% Region: Islay Cask: PX/oloroso-seasoned first-fill casks Bottles available: 7,542 RRP: £1,650 (US$2,217)

Lagavulin 12 Years Old

Lagavulin-12ABV: 56.5% ABV Region: Islay Cask: Refill American oak casks Bottles available: Limited quantities RRP: £130 (US$175)

Cardhu 14 Years Old

cardhuABV: 55.5% Region: Speyside Casks: Refill American oak casks, finished in red wine casks Bottles available: Limited quantities RRP: £120 (US$161)

Oban 12 Years Old

Oban Special ReleasesABV: 56.2% Region: Coastal Highland Cask: Freshly charred American oak casks Bottles available: Limited quantities RRP: £105 (US$141)

Royal Lochnagar 16 Years Old

Royal-LochnagarABV: 57.5% Region: Highland Cask: American oak and European oak refill casks Bottles available: Limited quantities RRP: £200 (US$269)