The Hakushu Distillery was founded half a century after Yamazaki. Keizo Saji, the second Master Blender, inherited his father’s quest to push the boundaries of what a Japanese whisky could be. He had searched all over Japan for high quality water that would produce the most delicately aromatic whisky. After searching with tenacity to the headstreams of rivers and deep into rugged mountains, he found Hakushu. The Hakushu Distillery is one of the highest distilleries in the world, built amidst the deepest forests of Mt. Kaikomagatake in the Japanese Southern Alps. The majestic forest that surrounds the Hakushu Distillery shelters an abundance of plant varieties reflecting the many expressions of Japanese nature. The malt whiskies born here are simultaneously blessed with a very particular microclimate, verdant forests, and water offering a rare softness only made possible by filtration of rain and snow through thousand-year-old granite rocks. Straight from the untouched forests, soft and crisp waters and mountains of the Southern Japanese Alps, it is no wonder that Hakushu is a "green and crisp" whisky. Created by the dream for a new type of whisky of Keizo Saji, the second master blender, the unique taste made in distinct four seasons in high altitude is praised by the most curious whisky connoisseurs and lovers of gastronomy. The Hakushu range of whiskies, with their crisp and vibrant feel, each one unique in a single malt whisky, will enliven your palate and liberate your senses. The 100th Anniversary Limited Edition of the Hakushu 18 Single Malt is made up of carefully selected malt whiskies all aged for a minimum of 18 years in various casks, created in honour of Suntory Whisky’s centenary. The Hakushu Distillery blenders work with peat, while naturally softening the palate using the exceptionally pure mountain water of the area, filtered through ancient granite rocks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Established in 1994 Sullivans Cove is the quintessential small-batch luxury whisky. Distilled in Hobart, Tasmania, Sullivans Cove single malt is made using traditional methods and 100% Tasmanian ingredients. Inspired by nature and patiently aged the distillers aim to seek the sublime. Each cask is nurtured to it's natural peak, thousands of tiny decisions go into helping each cask reach its full potential. No two batches will be the same and every batch an opportunity for exploration. Tasmania has some of the cleanest water in world, making it an ideal place for producing world class whisky. Tasmania also has some of the best barley growing land in Australia. The combination of good grain and good water is the foundation of all good whisky. 100% Tasmanian malted barley is used to make all Sullivans Cove whiskies. The wash is brewed locally by brewers with decades of experience before being double distilled in a unique, Tasmanian built pot still (her name is Myrtle). The first distillation, known as the "wash run" produces "low wines" of about 20% abv. The low wines are then put back through the still for the "spirit run" to produce a spirt of around 70% abv. This spirit is then diluted to 63.5% abv before it enters into the casks for ageing. The majority of whiskies are aged in either 200L American oak ex-bourbon barrels, or 300L French oak ex-tawny barrels. Allowed to mature over many years in the unique Tasmanian climate - generally between nine and eighteen years. The scales are very well balanced on this one. In fact, if it weren’t for the gentle pauses at the beginning of the palate and the finish, it would be too perfect, and therefore not as alluring. As Miles Davis once said, “It’s not the notes you play, it’s the notes you don’t play.” Well said. And the way the oak develops during the finish, just when you don’t want to let go, keeping the show going; it brings another season to binge on, and we love it. We love it all. - Heather Tillott, Head Distiller Bottling Information Barrel No. - TD0079 Bottle No. - 421 of 435 Filled On - 24/02/2006 Decanted On - 02/05/2022

The GlenAllachie Distillery, situated in Aberlour in Speyside, was established in 1967 and designed by William-Delme Evans, with construction carried out by Mackinlay McPherson. The distillery was meticulously designed to be almost entirely gravity-fed, reducing energy consumption. After Mackinlay McPherson became part of Invergordon in 1985, the distillery was mothballed until Campbell Distillers acquired it in 1989 and recommenced production in April of that year. In 2017, The GlenAllachie Distillers Company Limited was formed by Billy Walker, Trisha Savage and Graham Stevenson, who released their first core range of single malt whiskies in July 2018 and launched MacNair's Lum Reek in November of that year. The distillery opened its doors to visitors in May 2019 and has won numerous awards, including the Visitor Attraction of the Year for 2022. The GlenAllachie Distillery continues to innovate, releasing a 15-year-old whisky in April 2022 and a celebratory trilogy of Speyside Single Malts in honour of Billy Walker's 50-year career. In January 2023, they introduced The GlenAllachie 2012 Cuvée Wine Cask Finish and in March 2023, they released three new expressions, highlighting their commitment to innovation and excellence in the whisky industry. The GlenAllachie distillery is known for its impressive collection of casks, with over 50,000 casks spanning across 16 on-site warehouses. The passionate team at GlenAllachie has complete control of the end-to-end maturation process, allowing them to make decisions for all the right reasons. They use a variety of casks including ex-bourbon, ex-sherry, and virgin oak to create unique and complex flavours in their single malt whisky. They also have a range of cask finishes such as Port, Madeira, and Tokaji to add depth and complexity to their whiskies. Their commitment to quality and attention to detail has earned them numerous awards and accolades, cementing their position as one of Scotland's top independent distilleries. Billy Walker, the Master Blender of The GlenAllachie Distillers Company, has transformed the distillery since acquiring it in 2017. With a 50-year experience in the Scotch Whisky industry, Billy has received numerous awards, including Master Distiller/ Blender of the Year (World Whisky Awards, 2020) and was inducted into Whisky Magazine’s Hall of Fame in 2021. He played a key part in the resurrection of Deanston and Tobermory Distilleries and acquired BenRiach, GlenDronach and Glenglassaugh Distilleries, leading them to phenomenal success. Billy's hands-on approach is reflected throughout all stages of production, with a focus on quality over quantity. He hand-picks the finest casks to create exceptional quality whiskies to be enjoyed across the globe. The GlenAllachie 10 Year Old Chinquapin Oak Single Malt Scotch Whisky 700ml is an exceptional malt from Batch 2 of the Virgin Oak Series. It was first matured in American oak ex-Bourbon barrels before undergoing additional maturation in casks made of Chinquapin Oak (Quercus Muehlenbergii) for approximately 18 months. The casks were air dried for almost four years and then toasted to a medium level before hosting the spirit. The result is a complex and zesty malt with a rich bronze color, bursting with runny honey, sweet cinnamon and orange peel. Bottled at 48% and with natural colour and non-chill filtration, this malt offers a unique tasting experience. On the nose, it bursts with orange zest, heather honey and pecan, with notes of butterscotch, nutmeg and liquorice. On the palate, it offers lashings of cinnamon, barley sugar and toasted biscuits, followed by rose hips, orange peel and heather honey. This exceptional malt is a testament to the distillery's commitment to quality and attention to detail.

Mackmyra was Sweden’s first whisky distillery and 20 years after being established continues to innovate and evolve. The flavours of the region are essential for this whisky and are highlighted by the use of French Limousin Oak cask that previously held Cognac from renowned Cognac House Ferrand. To emphasise the fruitiness, we complemented the recipe with older Oloroso casks, as well as casks saturated with berry wine (cherry and forest raspberry wine) to add intrigue, complexity, and a touch of freshness. Limousin pairs perfectly with cold-cut charcuterie or a dark chocolate fondant with caramelised orange. When the sun is just above the horizon and the sunbeams are travelling low, a magical light appears that only mother nature can deliver. Time stops and you don’t think about bills, social media or what to eat for dinner – You are absolutely present and at the same time you almost forget that you exist. You are a small piece of the puzzle in a perfect moment. Forever captured by artists and photographers alike, the magic of the golden hour over the French countryside is the inspiration for Mackmyra Limousin. A fruity, playful, gently-balanced Swedish single malt whisky, predominantly seasoned with French Oak casks that previously held Cognac from sun-kissed grapes. The barrels used for this whisky include ex cognac, american oak, olorosso, raspberry wine and ex bourbons barrels. The nose is sweet with citrus, dried fruits and vanilla. On the palate is vanilla caramel, dried fruit, sweet almond and dark chocolate. A light spiciness from the oak and a finish of sun-ripened grapes and soft pear caramel.

Kilchoman Distillery was established in 2005 and is true to Islay's rich farm distilling heritage. The distillery uses local peat cut in the traditional way, slowly distilling all spirits by hand, allowing maturation to occur in traditional dunnage warehouses, and bottling on site without any colouring or chill-filtration. A limited-edition single malt from Kilchoman, Casado takes its name from the Portuguese word for marriage. Initially matured in 38 first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, it was then married in a pair of Portuguese red wine vats for two years before it was bottled. On the nose bonfire smoke with dried apricot, Dr. Pepper, and some coastal salinity as well notes of marzipan and toffee apples underneath. On the palate black pepper is cracked over smoked fish as well as lemon peel, tannic wood and stone fruits. There's a sweet jammy element present throughout. The finish is aromatic spices and red berry tartness that linger.