The 2022 Diageo Special & Rare collection is known as "Elusive Expressions", drawn from some of Scotland’s most interesting, legendary distilleries and curated by Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson, portrays the otherworldly beings which have fiercely protected the heartlands of remote Scottish distilleries for an eternity, according to our ancient fables and the mythical creatures come to life revealing their true characters. This year 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. The label artwork follows almost as a sequel to the 2021 range, revolving once again around the theme of mythical beasts and stories. Illustrator, Ken Taylor, returns again and is joined this year by digital visualisation artist, Kevin Tong. The Singleton of Glendullan 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml (Special Release 2022) was matured in refill American and European oak, then finished in ex-wine casks. The nose on this is soft, delicate, and complex. Given time and patience, it grows and expands into a kaleidoscope of aromas that are as diverse as they are many. Grassy, floral, fruity, malty, sweet, and even a touch of oak – it’s all here. And that’s just the nose! On the palate, the whisky has that classic highland Glen Ord austerity, with the wine cask influence introducing some drying tannins and fruitiness.

The 2022 Diageo Special & Rare collection is known as "Elusive Expressions", drawn from some of Scotland’s most interesting, legendary distilleries and curated by Master Blender Dr Craig Wilson, portrays the otherworldly beings which have fiercely protected the heartlands of remote Scottish distilleries for an eternity, according to our ancient fables and the mythical creatures come to life revealing their true characters. This year 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. The label artwork follows almost as a sequel to the 2021 range, revolving once again around the theme of mythical beasts and stories. Illustrator, Ken Taylor, returns again and is joined this year by digital visualisation artist, Kevin Tong. Cardhu 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml (Special Release 2022) was matured in re-fill and re-charred American oak, then finished in Jamaican pot still rum-seasoned casks. A richer, fuller nose that has the hallmark traits of rum-finished whisky, there are soft fruits and pastry notes on the nose. The palate is spicier, certainly drier, and has hints of ginger, stone fruits, and perhaps some mint or eucalyptus.

A highland tequila, Don Fulano is made from 100% estate grown mature blue agave cooked in autoclave ovens, naturally fermented in open tanks using wild and cultivated yeast, and distilled in approximately 80% copper pot still and 20% copper, double column still. The spirit is distilled to 50% to 55% then cut with demineralised water from a deep well in the distillery. The tequila is non-charcoal filtered and contains no additives. The Blanco is a bright and colourful expression of highland agave. Fresh and bright on the nose yet profound with beautiful elegance. There is harmony between a wide spectrum of aromas that only mature agave offers; a myriad of delicate floral and fruity notes is balanced by a light herbaceousness. Reminiscent of damp red soil it opens the senses and awakens the appetite. Flavours of grilled pineapple with hints of white pepper almost makes you want to chew it, with underlying notes of butterscotch and an almost oily viscosity on the finish.

Komasa Gin is the craft gin label proudly presented by Komasa Jyozo, a shochu distillery in Kagoshima, Japan with over 130 years of distilling history. Gin and shochu both share the fact that they are distilled spirits. Drawing on decades of distilling expertise and know-how accumulated through making shochu, the distillery unveiled a new line of gins in 2018. Komasa Jyozo uses their rice shochu as the base for Komasa Gin, to which they add juniper berries and as few other ingredients as possible in order to let the main botanicals shine on their own. Komasa Jyozo’s goal is to utilize and express the natural fragrances and flavours of their quality ingredients to the fullest. With Komasa Gin, they hope they have hit upon a revolutionary style of gin that is eminently easy to drink and perfect for everyone. The sweet and refreshing aroma of strawberries with a deep and lingering finish of herbs. These seemingly contradictory personalities coexist without canceling each other out, and each sip will make you want to keep tasting this unique marriage. With the juiciness of strawberries shining through the intricately overlapping flavours, this is a gin that evokes the rich climate of tropical Kagoshima.

The Glenmorangie distillery is located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands and is famous for its outstanding single malt whiskies. Glenmorangie, derived from the Gaelic language of Scotland, translates to "Valley of Tranquillity." A true testament to craftsmanship and tradition, Glenmorangie has been captivating whisky enthusiasts around the world for centuries. The story of Glenmorangie begins with its founder, William Matheson, who established the distillery in 1843. Situated near the tranquil Dornoch Firth, the distillery benefits from the region's pristine water source and the gentle sea breezes that caress the aging casks. These natural elements play a vital role in shaping the character of Glenmorangie whiskies, adding a touch of Highland magic to every bottle. One of the hallmarks of Glenmorangie is its commitment to the art of cask maturation. The distillery boasts the tallest copper pot stills in Scotland, which allow for a purer and more refined spirit. This, combined with the use of the finest American white oak barrels, results in whiskies that are smooth, complex and full of character. Glenmorangie takes pride in its dedication to innovation constantly pushing the boundaries of whisky production. The distillery is known for its "Extra Matured" range, where whiskies are finished in a variety of cask types, such as sherry, port and wine, to create unique flavour profiles. This experimentation has garnered Glenmorangie a loyal following of whisky connoisseurs who appreciate the diversity and complexity of their offerings. One of Glenmorangie's most iconic expressions is the Glenmorangie Original, a flagship whisky that embodies the essence of the distillery. For those seeking a more indulgent experience, Glenmorangie offers a range of limited edition releases and prestigious expressions. From the award-winning Glenmorangie Signet, with its rich chocolate and coffee flavors, to the rare Glenmorangie Pride 1978, aged for 41 years and exuding elegance and opulence, these whiskies are a testament to the distillery's unwavering commitment to excellence. Beyond crafting exceptional whiskies, Glenmorangie is deeply rooted in its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The distillery is dedicated to minimizing its carbon footprint and protecting the natural resources that make their whiskies so special. From the use of renewable energy sources to the restoration of local wetlands, Glenmorangie strives to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy their whiskies while preserving the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Lush and invitingly herbaceous, Glenmorangie A Tale of the Forest is Glenmorangie’s first whisky crafted from barley kilned with woodland botanicals. Inspired by the ever changing natural wonder he encounters while wandering in the forest near his home, Glenmorangie’s Director of Whisky Creation, Dr Bill Lumsden, brought back an ancient method of kilning barley with botanicals. In this case, he chose juniper berries, birch bark and heather flowers. A whisky, infused with natural botanicals (juniper berries, birch wood and heather) during the kilning process ̶ bringing flavours of peppermint, menthol, eucalyptus, pine, wood sap, angelica, bitter orange and a hint of aromatic wood smoke. Evoking the scents, sounds and sights of the forest, the single malt surrounds your senses with aromas of pine, juniper and coriander, laced with wisps of smoke. Then tastes of deep-green eucalyptus, lit by rays of bitter orange, drift to a slow, gently oaky finish. The whisky’s fragrant, wooded depths have inspired illustrator Pomme Chan to dream up her own fantastical forest. Celebrating the whisky’s flavours, her artwork is showcased on the whisky’s pack.

The Gospel is more than just a whiskey brand. It's a testament to the passion and dedication of a small team of fanatics in Melbourne who have a fierce love for deliciously unpretentious rye whiskey. Led by their Master Distiller, Ian Thorn, The Gospel is Australia's only dedicated rye whiskey distillery. Ian is the boss of all things booze, and his expertise is evident in every bottle of The Gospel. Crafted and distilled from 100% Australian unmalted rye, The Gospel is a unique whiskey with a distinct flavour profile. The rye is cultivated and nurtured by a single farmer in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia, chosen specifically for its harsh climate and small, dense grains. This rye imparts deep, spicy flavours of vanilla, cinnamon and dried fruit, with developing notes of pepper, grass and grain. But The Gospel is more than just a great whiskey. The team behind it is passionate about standing up for what they believe in and supporting the community. They recognize their responsibility to operate in a responsible manner and to be conscious of their social impact and environmental footprint. That's why The Gospel uses 100% recyclable packaging, diverts their spent waste from landfill and donates 2.5% of net profit to their partner charities. Set in the backstreets of Melbourne's eclectic inner north, The Gospel distillery was designed and built by Ben and Andrew with the help of family and friends. It features a six-meter-high continuous column still, designed and built in-house, as well as a bespoke Copper Pot still. The Gospel wider team are an experienced group of booze industry experts, all of whom have a fierce love for deliciously unpretentious rye whiskey. The Gospel Solera Rye is a whiskey like no other. Made using 100% Australian grown unmalted rye from a single farm in the Murray Mallee region of South Australia, it's renowned for its distinct, extraordinary flavour that's unmatched by rye from other areas. The harsh climate and small, dense grains of the rye produce a unique terroir that imparts resilient rye grain flavours onto the palate. Double distilled and aged in a five-tiered bespoke solera system of new American oak, second fill American oak, and Australian red wine barrels, The Gospel Solera Rye utilizes ancient technology that has been used for centuries to perfect sherry, port, and even beer. The rye spirit moves through this unique system, resulting in a distinctively flavourful spirit that perfectly balances sweet and savoury. On the nose, you'll detect baking spices, rich caramel sweetness and stewed plum with port wine. The palate is characterized by sweet oak, orchard fruits, dark toffee, brown sugar and bright spices. The finish is rich and long, carrying dried fruits and fresh spice. The Gospel Solera Rye is perfect for modern cocktails and no-nonsense mixers. It's a rye that brings you whiskey flavours without dominating your drink, letting you get on with enjoying better drinks in good company. From shot glass to tall and bubbly highballs, Solera Rye is a crowd-pleaser that's perfect for any occasion. The Gospel Solera Rye is the perfect whiskey for everyday enjoyment. It's not just a display piece, but an essential spirit for every home bar. This whiskey embodies classic rye flavours in an approachable, soft and smooth way, making it an accessible rye with more character than anyone would expect. What sets The Gospel Solera Rye apart is Gospel's unique solera maturation system, which delivers an American-style rye whiskey with a unique easy-going Australian attitude. The whiskey perfectly balances sweet and savoury, making it ideal for sipping on its own or in your favourite cocktail. The Gospel Solera Rye has been recognized for its quality and unique character, winning silver at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the highest awarded medal for an Australian Rye Whiskey. If you're looking for a whiskey that's approachable, smooth and full of character, The Gospel Solera Rye is the perfect choice. It's versatile and perfect for any occasion, whether you're enjoying a quiet night in or a lively gathering with friends.

Owned by a family of whisky lovers, Benromach is a traditional Speyside distillery keeping things simple. Their small team of distillers rely entirely on their sense and expertise to create the finest handmade whisky. The 2022 release of Benromach 40 Year Old was bottled at a cask strength of 57.6%, this rare single malt whisky is natural in colour and was laid down in 1981 before spending four decades maturing in the finest first-fill Oloroso sherry casks. Aromas of cinnamon, ginger, Seville orange, roasted hazelnut and stewed red berries fill the nose. The palate offers notes of Morello cherries, baked apple, liquorice, dark chocolate, fruit cake and black pepper, with hints of dark berries and rich oak lingering in the finish. Only 1,132 bottles produced of this limited release.

To create The Balvenie PortWood 21 year old single malt whisky, a marriage of rare Balvenie is transferred to port casks, or pipes, which have held fine port wines. Here it is sampled regularly by The Balvenie Malt Master David C. Stewart MBE to ensure that just the right amount of character is imparted by the port casks, enhancing and developing the single malt whilst preserving its original characteristics. Considered by many to be David’s finest creation, this whisky is one of his proudest achievements and has won an array of highly coveted industry awards since its release in 1996. A perfume of fruity and ripe raisin notes is backed by a nuttiness on the nose. The palate is refined with remarkable character, it is creamy and silky with fruit, honey and spice notes and a long, gentle nutty finish.

The Michter's "US 1" bottlings are so named to honour Michter’s heritage. The brand was established in 1753 as America’s first whiskey company. Washington and his troops drank Michter’s while they were hunkered down in Valley Forge. Unlike Bourbon or Rye, which, by definition, must be aged in new oak barrels, our US1 Unblended American Whiskey is aged in a way that utilizes whiskey-soaked barrels to achieve a rich and unique flavor profile. In late 2013, then Master Distiller Willie Pratt agreed to re- release our US1 Unblended American Whiskey after a nearly three- year absence from the market, deeming it "just right" and "the best it's ever been." Crucially, our US1 Unblended American Whiskey never contains grain neutral spirits - hence its "unblended" distinction. This Whiskey has deep butterscotch and vanilla notes, hints of caramel and dried fruit with a ripened fruit finish.

Akkeshi began distilling in 2016, based in the Akkeshi District of Hokkaido, the concept of distilling and maturing single malt in Japan’s northern wilderness traces back to the very first plans of Masataka Taketsuru, a pioneer of the country’s early whisky production. Taisho is the 12th of the 24 Japanese solar terms. The hottest period of the year, this is a celebratory time with many festivals and fireworks. The indigo label is inspired by yukata, the light summer kimono worn during the warmer months. As always, the exact production details are difficult to pin down, but the key malt is 100% from Hokkaido aged in a variety of casks including Mizunara and Bourbon, alongside imported grain purchased as new make and aged completely in-house (nine separate components contributed to the blend) This is signature Akkeshi, with fresh yet savoury/saline peatiness positioned at the forefront. A hot-blooded blend, this changes constantly in the glass and is best without water. Secondary notes of spun sugar and tropical fruit are joined by deep citrus, burnt sage and green almond notes in the mouth. It finishes spicy, salty and long.