The much anticipated yearly Special Releases by Diageo has made its way to Singapore.
This 2022 selection, named Elusive Expressions, features whiskies handpicked by Master Blender Craig Wilson, who drew from over 30 distilleries worldwide to form this curated collection of eight unique Scotch bottlings.
While 2021’s Legends Untold shone the spotlight on ghost distilleries and unusual casks with red wine and cognac finishes, the Elusive Expressions collection revives Diageo’s smokiest reserves and uncovers some of its rarest finds.
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Concept wise, it follows from last year’s release that was inspired by fantastical stories and legends, and once again features iconic illustrations by Ken Taylor and Kevin Tong, who partnered up to create designs and stories that portray each bottling’s tale in vivid detail.
Set against this backdrop of mythical narratives and artworks is the Elusive Expressions Cocktails and Serves book, a graphic novel style publication available via scanning a QR code. The book reframes the cocktail making process for whisky lovers, with each recipe and serve seeking to evoke each whisky’s nuances for drinkers to experience at home.
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The eight cask-strength bottles of whiskies in the collection include the likes of a rare Talisker 11-Year-Old that has been matured in ex-bourbon as well as wine-seasoned casks. Most eyes will be on the Cameronbridge 26-Year-Old, a rich Lowland single malt that is making an appearance for the very first time.
The other six bottlings in the collection are a non-age-statement Mortlach, a Lagavulin 12-Year-Old, The Singleton of Glen Ord 15-Year-Old, Cardhu 16-Year-Old, Oban 10-Year-Old, and a Clynelish 12-Year-Old.
“Elusive Expressions is a boundary-pushing collection that truly redefines what cask-strength whiskies can be,” states Wilson about the release. “This collection features some of our oldest whisky dynasties in Scotland, embracing the wide range of flavour contrasts.
“From abundantly rich to strikingly rare flavours, each whisky is vividly brought to life with new energy, creating an unexpectedly elusive whisky experience.”
In Singapore, the Elusive Expressions collection is available via online retailers iShopChangi and Cellarbration.
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About the Author
Dannon Har is the Managing Editor of Spill. Discovering his innate gift for drinking only at a ripe age, he spares no time trying to find more delicious drops to imbibe during his time on Earth. When he’s not minding every detail at Spill, he spends his time concocting luscious libations and sharing them with folks that visit his home bar.