Diageo Global Travel has revealed the ‘Elusive Expressions’ Special Releases Scotch Whisky Collection, which is available in selected airports worldwide from this month. These include Changi, Taipei, Delhi and Dubai initially, before the collection becomes available in the coming months at Hamad International, Doha plus selected airports in South Korea and the USA.
Diageo Global travel said the “unusual collection” of eight aged and finely finished whiskies selected by Master Blender Dr. Craig Wilson delivers “rarity, flavour and fantasy to capture the curiosity of today’s whisky explorers”.
Dr. Craig said: “Today we reveal Elusive Expressions, a boundary-pushing collection with flavours and finishes that truly redefine what cask-strength whiskies can be. From abundantly rich, to strikingly rare flavours, each one is vividly bought to life with new energy. Featuring some of our oldest whisky dynasties, we’ve embraced the flavour contrasts that exist within the collection, to create an unexpected whisky experience.”
The Concept
Elusive Expressions is the latest chapter in Special Releases where mythical beasts are brought to life through striking artwork and stories. Illustrator Ken Taylor returns this year with his signature style and is joined by fellow digital visualisation artist Kevin Tong, as they partner to create designs that “fuse fantasy, art and whisky”.
The Elusive Expressions Cocktails and Serves book explores the legends behind Mortlach, The Singleton, Lagavulin and Talisker.
Whisky lovers are invited to step into the artwork of this dark and vivid world through a digital experience. Activated via QR code (see right), doorways offer a glimpse into an alternative universe, fans can interact with the collection and experience each brand’s story in immersive ways.
Diageo Global Travel Managing Director Andrew Cowan said: “We’re delighted to see this exclusive set of rare whiskies from iconic distilleries being launched in airports around the world, opening up a new world of luxury whiskies for passengers to explore. The liquids, the storytelling and the immersive digital experience of these spectacular releases are utterly captivating.
“Exclusive whiskies like these not only appeal to the luxury shopper but the incredibly vivid designs will appeal to a new generation of Scotch drinkers, which is really thrilling. There are very few places in the world where these exclusive whiskies are available, and we love being able to offer these incredible gifting solutions for shoppers.”
The whiskies
This year’s collection uncovers treasures and rare finds in limited quantities, said Diageo. This cask-strength whisky collection embraces contrasts, experimenting with extended secondary maturation techniques and new cask finishes including Tawny Port and Red Muscato casks to impart different flavours.
The collection includes (notes from Diageo):
- The dark, sweet, and rich Mortlach, with gingery depth, unique to the Speyside Dufftown distillery; RRSP £250 (70cl)
- A lively sweet expression of The Singleton of Glen Ord, aged in refill American and European Oak, then double matured in wine-seasoned casks; RRSP £120 (70cl)
- A true expression of Lagavulin, matured in a combination of virgin oak casks and Diageo’s smokiest reserves; RRSP £125 (70cl)
- Talisker 11-Year-Old, elemental yet also classic in character with maritime malty smokiness notes; RRSP £110 (70cl)
- An unusual Clynelish with a slight trace of waxiness and added sweetness and spiciness from a maturation in refill American Oak, then finished in PX/Oloroso seasoned casks; RRSP £175 (70cl)
- A rare expression of Cardhu, finished in Jamaican Rum casks for a vibrant tropical sweetness; RRSP £160 (70cl)
- The creamy smooth Oban 10-Year-Old with richly sweet fruitiness, light smoke and salt notes; RRSP £105 (70cl)
- And for the first time ever, the rich and exquisite Cameronbridge 26-Year-Old. RRSP £275 (70cl)
*At TFWA World Exhibition last week, Diageo Global Travel hosted a series of evening discussions, ‘The Sunset Sessions’, around key themes affecting travel retail. Click on the links for our stories on positive consumption, sustainability and diversity in travel retail. Our round-up of the sessions will follow shortly.
