Of the many annual whisky releases that hit our shores each year, few raise as much anticipation and enthusiasm as the Diageo Special Releases. As always – well, at least in this country (Australia) – the annual set is released in the year after their namesake. And so it is that, in April 2022, we have the launch of the Diageo Special Releases 2021…
The Diageo Special Releases – first launched 20 years ago now in 2001 – is a fantastic opportunity to try some of your favourite distilleries in an expression quite unlike the regular version that you’re otherwise familiar with. The Special Releases expression might appear with a different or unique age statement, or might have undergone a different maturation regimen to the regular release. Also of note is that, unlike the regularly available expressions that are typically bottled at 40-43% and have been chillfiltered, the Special Releases are bottled at their natural cask-strength and remain unchillfiltered. The annual Diageo Special Releases also often include a distillery or two in the line up that actually aren’t regularly bottled or commercially available – and so it’s an opportunity to try a distillery that you might not otherwise encounter.
The Diageo Special Releases 2021 range is unique this year for a number of reasons. Firstly, with a reference to some of Scotland’s mythical creatures and legends of the past, the labels for each bottling in the set feature some fantastic artwork by acclaimed Australian digital illustrator, Ken Taylor. Secondly, each bottle has its own unique QR code which, when scanned, takes you on a multi-sensory experience that tells you the story of the whisky, the mythical creature behind the artwork, and gives you some tasting notes to prompt your nose and palate along the way.
So, without further ado, the Diageo Special Releases 2021 consists of the following gems:
Cardhu 14yo, 55.5% ABV, refill American oak casks, finished in red wine casks. (Speyside) RRP $216
Royal Lochnagar 16yo, 57.5%, American oak and European oak refill casks. (Highland) RRP $360
The Singleton of Glendullan 19yo, 54.6%, refill American oak casks, finished in Cognac casks. (Speyside) RRP $252
Oban 12yo, 56.2%, freshly charred American oak casks. (Highland) $189
Mortlach 13yo, 55.9%, virgin and refill American oak casks. (Speyside) RRP $243
Talisker 8yo, 59.7%, heavily peated refill casks. (Islands – Skye) RRP $162
Lagavulin 12yo, 56.5%, refill American oak casks. (Islay) RRP $234
Lagavulin 26yo, 44.2% ABV, Pedro Ximinez and Oloroso sherry seasoned first fill casks. (Islay) RRP $2,971.
The Diageo Special Releases 2021 range was unveiled in Sydney this week, with a fantastic tasting and media launch hosted by Diageo’s whisky ambassador, Katie Nagar. Held at the Clocktower Bar in Shell House in the heart of the CBD, guests were taken through each of the whiskies and – in a relaxed and informal setting – given ample time to get to know each dram. As per previous years, the 2021 range has something for everyone, with a mix of age statements, flavour styles, and price points. True to its nature and intentions, the Special Releases is wonderful in allowing you to explore whiskies you have some familiarity with, yet each with a different twist or nuance.
Everyone will have their own favourites and their own individual thoughts on what’s appealing but, to Whisky & Wisdom’s palate, the real standouts and surprises were the Cardhu and Talisker, in that they genuinely took things in a direction beyond their regularly-available counterparts. The Oban, also, was a tremendous dram, offering up more depth (and certainly more strength) than its regular release. Fans of Lagavulin won’t be disappointed – both examples were truly sublime, and whilst the 26yo in sherry casks might be at a price point beyond many drinkers, it was an exceptional drop. (But, then, we expect that from Lagavulin, don’t we?). One other aspect of the Lagavulin 26yo worth mentioning is that, at this age and flavour profile, it was not a million miles away from what the old Port Ellen twenty-something-year-olds tasted like that were available in the 2000’s.
The Glendullan – badged as and part of the Singleton livery these days – will be new to many Australians, as the Singleton of Glendullan is largely reserved for the American market. And, for fans of Mortlach, the 13yo has been allowed to display all of its trademark meatiness, depth, and body via the American oak. In the context of its stablemates in this line up, the Royal Lochnagar seemed more sedate and genteel in its style, and would be well suited to those that prefer to sip and contemplate a quiet, after-dinner dram.
Whisky & Wisdom elects not to publish or mention our scores when reviewing whiskies but, for those who are curious, we ranked the releases in the following order, from highest score to lowest score: Lagavulin 26yo, Talisker, Lagavulin 12yo, Cardhu, Mortlach, Oban, Glendullan, and Royal Lochnagar. Lest that information be misinterpreted, bear in mind that the Royal Lochnagar still received a very respectable score! Well done to Dr Craig Wilson, Master Blender, for creating this year’s range and putting together some mighty tasty and interesting drams.
The Diageo Special Releases 2021 range is available now through most of the good independent bottleshops, as well as Dan Murphys, Vintage Cellars, and BWS. And if you’d like a sneak peek at how the QR code works on each bottle, here’s the code off one of the bottles for you to check out:
With thanks to Diageo Australia, Katie Nagar, and the team at Example.
Cheers,
AD
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PS…you can check out Whisky & Wisdom’s write-ups from previous years’ Diageo Special Releases via the following links:
…and for the official Diageo website with details on their more well-known whisky brands, click here.
