Every year, Diageo launches a series of special whiskies from the various distilleries it has in its portfolio. The 2021 collection of Special Releases Single Malt Scotch Whisky is called Legends Untold, special bottles encased in equally special packaging...
Whiskies always like to be paired with great stories. Because a tasty nose, taste and aftertaste is one thing, if a beautiful legend can be linked to it, you have some fine bubbly talk right alongside your drink. And that's convenient, because according to countless ancient myths, supernatural creatures have protected the hearts of remote Scottish distilleries with their power for an eternity. And this autumn, with this special collection of whiskies, those mythical creatures of the distilleries come to life and show their true nature.
Just like the real thing
Drawn from eight of Scotland's most interesting distilleries, the collection once again underlines the diversity of Diageo's most treasured whisky stocks matured in Scotland. Also special are the packaging with their highly detailed illustrations by renowned digital illustrator Ken Taylor. His signature style and beautiful interpretation of all those mythical creatures is inspired by his portfolio of pop culture artworks. And to take the experience to an even higher level, there is also a layer of augmented reality added: scanning the QR code on the packaging brings the legends to life and begins an experience that tells the story of Single Malts for multiple senses. As a true whisky fan, you are then guided through a 'mixed reality' designed to stimulate your senses, from the comfort of your own home, and of course while enjoying a glass of good whisky.
The whiskies
Eight of them, from seven distilleries. The showpiece in the series is, of course, the 26-year-old Lagavulin, matured in first-fill Pedro Ximenez/Oloroso casks. Why showpiece? Because a bottle of this strikingly red (entirely in line with the legend attached to this bottle) whisky should cost €2250 in the shop. This is mainly due to its limited availability. And of course, as a whisky lover, you know that the angels share is around 2% annually, so do the math on how much of the whisky has now left for a higher destination after 26 years of maturation.
Interesting
But other whiskies in this collection may be a lot younger, less limited in availability and therefore a bit more price-friendly; they are all wildly interesting to taste. And so we sincerely hope that the beautifully executed press-kit we received (8 x 7 ml) for tasting will also go on sale for 'ordinary citizens'. After all, not every whisky lover has a good three thousand euros lying around to buy this complete series, but every whisky lover would of course love to discover for themselves what exactly is the result of master blender Dr Craig Wilson's quest, when he says: "For the Legends Untold collection, we delved into the key characteristics of several classic distilleries. Inspired by the mythical creatures of the collection, we revealed new depths of flavour, embraced the essence of each whisky's unique profile and in doing so brought to light the legend that brings it to life..." Check also: www.diageo.com
Mortlach 13-Year-Old
ABV: 55.9%
Region: Speyside
Cask: Virgin and refill American oak casks
Limited edition
€159,95
The Singleton of Glendullan 19-Year-Old
ABV: 54.6%
Region: Speyside
Cask: Refill American oak casks, finished in cognac casks
Limited edition
€ 144,95
Talisker 8-Year-Old
ABV: 59.7%
Region: Isle of Skye
Cask: Heavily peated refill casks
Limited edition
€ 112,95
Lagavulin 26-Year-Old
ABV: 44.2%
Region: Islay
Cask: PX/Oloroso seasoned first fill casks
Total number of bottles: 7,542
€ 2250,-
Lagavulin 12-Year-Old
ABV: 56.5%
Region: Islay
Cask: Refill American Oak casks
Limited edition
€144,95
Cardhu 14-Year-Old
ABV: 55.5%
Region: Speyside
Casks: Refill American oak casks, finished in red wine casks
Limited edition
€ 144,95
Oban 12-Year-Old
ABV: 56.2%
Region: Coastal Highland
Cask: Freshly charred American Oak casks
Limited edition
€ 124,95
Royal Lochnagar 16-Year-Old
ABV: 57.5%
Region: Highland
Cask: American Oak and European Oak refill casks
Limited edition
€ 229,95
English 
Dutch 
German