This bottle of Talisker is apart of Diageo's 2022 Distillers Edition. The idea behind The Distillers Edition is to provide an alternative expression of each whisky; to add richness, complexity and interest in the form of a different ‘take’ on that whisky’s attributes. There are seven distinctive Distillers Edition expressions (including Lagavulin, Oban, Talisker, Caol Ila, Dalwhinnie, and more), the remarkable and complex Distillers Edition process, and the people who make it. An incentive to explore The Distillers Edition itself. On the shores of the Isle of Skye, where rugged coastlines meet the raging sea, you find adventure in a bottle. Talisker single malt scotch whisky captures the elemental wildness and unadulterated beauty of its birthplace to give you a taste of Skye in every sip. Looking out over the breathtaking scenery of the Cuillin Hills, Talisker Distillery stands proudly by the sea on the shores of Loch Carport. As the oldest working distillery on the Isle of Skye by almost 200 years, we have been an integral part of island life and history since 1830. In 1825, the MacAskill brothers arrived on Skye from the nearby smaller Scottish island of Eigg. After several false starts, in 1830 they opened Talisker distillery at Carbost, where it remained the only distillery on the island for nearly two centuries. Through upheaval, changes of ownership, and even a fire, Talisker has always kept Skye at the heart of the brand—and the whisky. As a whisky made by the sea, Talisker shares a deep love for the beauty and fragility of the oceans and is proudly committed to protecting the ocean ecosystem for the next generation of wild spirits. Produced beside the shore of Lock Harport in the jagged shadow of the peaks of The Cuillin, Talisker is the only single malt scotch whisky made on the Isle of Skye. This Talisker has real depth of taste, adding weight and layers of sweet rich flavour to the signature peaty, peppery powder. Magnificent in every way. Talisker’s famous 10-year-old has to be one of the most beloved single malts around. The subtle ageing regime accentuates the Isle of Skye distillery’s distinctive character. Here it’s joined by a dose of sherry from a second maturation in amoroso-seasoned American oak casks with, yes you guessed it, heavily re-charred American oak ends. Just in case you didn’t know, amoroso is a medium sweet style rather like a cream sherry. The nose is salty sea spray, bonfires, and raisin-like sweetness. On the palate there is plenty of peat, backed by sticky dates, peppery spice, and a touch of salt. The finish has drying oak and lingering smoke.

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 Glendalough Distillery was established by a group of friends from Wicklow and Dublin who shared a deep passion for reviving the rich heritage of craft distilling in Ireland. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Ireland was home to over 200 licensed distilleries, producing diverse styles of poitín, whiskey, gin, and even absinthe. However, in recent times, that number has dwindled to a small handful. After many discussions, the friends decided to take a chance on something more meaningful and built a craft distillery near their favourite spot in the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough. The area, known as "the garden of Ireland," is renowned for its natural beauty and Glendalough, or the Glen of two Lakes, is one of the most visited valleys in Ireland. It is also home to a 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin, a legendary monk who is the man on the Glendalough bottle. Monasteries like Glendalough were the birthplace of distilled drinks. A key influence on the flavour of Glendalough whiskey is the wood in which it has spent time. Countless nuances affect how the wood injects flavour, from the straightness of the tree or fineness of the grain to the size of the barrel or depth of the char. To make their gins, Glendalough forages wild plants from the mountains around the distillery. All the plants are sustainably foraged by one person, and what they pick goes fresh into the still within hours of foraging. The story of St. Kevin is where Glendalough draws its inspiration. He abandoned safety and comfort to follow his passion and create something more meaningful in the mountains. St. Kevin was born into Irish royalty, but he felt like a man apart. He disappeared into the mountains and became one with the wild, living off the land by the upper lake of Glendalough for seven years while pondering his place in the world. One of the many stories that spread around Ireland and inspired people to seek out this holy man and his deep, hidden valley is that of a blackbird landing in his hand. He stood day and night until the eggs hatched and the chicks fledged, showcasing his unwavering resolve and connection with nature. Eventually, he built his "City of 7 Churches" by the lower lake, which still stands 14 centuries later as a testament to his legacy. The Glendalough Distillery places great emphasis on the wood used to mature their whiskey, with countless nuances affecting the flavour, from the straightness of the tree or fineness of the grain to the size of the barrel or depth of the char. Their whiskeys mature in American white oak Bourbon barrels, which lay the flavour foundation that has become the backbone of the Irish whiskey taste. They also finish all of their whiskeys in a second, very different cask. They use Spanish Oloroso sherry butts to finish their Double Barrel, Dublin porter barrels for their 7-year-old single malt, and legendary Mizunara oak for their 13-year-old single malt. They are also proud to play a part in bringing Irish oak back into use for aging Irish whiskey, helping to manage these ancient forests, and doing their bit for the regeneration of these beautiful, broad-leaf, deciduous woods. Glendalough Distillery embarked on a relentless search for the most flavourful oak in the world, taking them from their own wooded mountains in Wicklow to the volcanic north of Japan, Hokkaido, where they discovered Mizunara, the most sought-after oak in the whiskey world. The resulting whiskey is vivid yet delicate, with seamless depth and a vibrant, fruity and floral nose. It boasts a luxuriously smooth mouthfeel with notes of dark chocolate orange, sandalwood and cinnamon that are synonymous with Mizunara whiskeys. The Mizunara 7-year single malt from Glendalough benefits from an exceptionally long finish of toasted oak and oriental spices, with the dark chocolate lingering even longer, making for a truly exceptional whiskey.

The Glendalough Distillery was established by a group of friends from Wicklow and Dublin who shared a deep passion for reviving the rich heritage of craft distilling in Ireland. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Ireland was home to over 200 licensed distilleries, producing diverse styles of poitín, whiskey, gin, and even absinthe. However, in recent times, that number has dwindled to a small handful. After many discussions, the friends decided to take a chance on something more meaningful and built a craft distillery near their favourite spot in the Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough. The area, known as "the garden of Ireland," is renowned for its natural beauty and Glendalough, or the Glen of two Lakes, is one of the most visited valleys in Ireland. It is also home to a 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin, a legendary monk who is the man on the Glendalough bottle. Monasteries like Glendalough were the birthplace of distilled drinks. A key influence on the flavour of Glendalough whiskey is the wood in which it has spent time. Countless nuances affect how the wood injects flavour, from the straightness of the tree or fineness of the grain to the size of the barrel or depth of the char. To make their gins, Glendalough forages wild plants from the mountains around the distillery. All the plants are sustainably foraged by one person, and what they pick goes fresh into the still within hours of foraging. The story of St. Kevin is where Glendalough draws its inspiration. He abandoned safety and comfort to follow his passion and create something more meaningful in the mountains. St. Kevin was born into Irish royalty, but he felt like a man apart. He disappeared into the mountains and became one with the wild, living off the land by the upper lake of Glendalough for seven years while pondering his place in the world. One of the many stories that spread around Ireland and inspired people to seek out this holy man and his deep, hidden valley is that of a blackbird landing in his hand. He stood day and night until the eggs hatched and the chicks fledged, showcasing his unwavering resolve and connection with nature. Eventually, he built his "City of 7 Churches" by the lower lake, which still stands 14 centuries later as a testament to his legacy. The Glendalough Distillery places great emphasis on the wood used to mature their whiskey, with countless nuances affecting the flavour, from the straightness of the tree or fineness of the grain to the size of the barrel or depth of the char. Their whiskeys mature in American white oak Bourbon barrels, which lay the flavour foundation that has become the backbone of the Irish whiskey taste. They also finish all of their whiskeys in a second, very different cask. They use Spanish Oloroso sherry butts to finish their Double Barrel, Dublin porter barrels for their 7-year-old single malt, and legendary Mizunara oak for their 13-year-old single malt. They are also proud to play a part in bringing Irish oak back into use for aging Irish whiskey, helping to manage these ancient forests, and doing their bit for the regeneration of these beautiful, broad-leaf, deciduous woods. The Glendalough Distillery has achieved a milestone for Irish whiskey by finishing their single cask, mainstream whiskey for up to a year in the rarest of all casks - virgin Irish oak. This allows everyone to experience the unique flavours of Irish oak. Each bottle is numbered and traceable to the cask and even the tree from which it came. They sustainably fell 140-year-old trees from the ancient oak forests in the mountains around the distillery, beginning a year-long process that ends with an Irish oak hogshead. These special casks are filled with the most quintessentially Irish of whiskeys - pot still. The higher levels of toasted oak and vanilla flavours brought by Irish oak complement and balance the classic pot still spices. The Glendalough Double Barrel Whiskey 700ml is characterized by sweet citrus notes with hints of vanilla, caramel, banana and oak spices. On the palate, one can taste toffee pears, treacle, oak, cinnamon, nutmeg and grapefruit, leading to a creamy vanilla, forest fruit, almond and toasted oak finish.

Nyetimber's vineyards share similar characteristics with the best sparkling wine vineyards in the world. The greensand and chalk soils allow the vines to flourish across the south of England, resulting in slow ripening grapes that achieve optimum levels of ripeness and acidity, as well as complexity and finesse, for which Nyetimber's wines are renowned. Using only estate-grown grapes from Nyetimber's vineyards ensures that only the finest fruit is used to craft globally acclaimed wines. Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs and her Winemaker husband Brad Greatrix assess each handpicked vineyard individually, choosing the optimal time to harvest the grapes and supervising their gentle pressing to eventual vilification. This meticulous attention to detail allows them to make the most informed blending decisions the following spring. The climate in the south of England allows for the slow ripening of grapes, which is essential for achieving the optimum levels of ripeness and acidity. This, coupled with the greensand and chalk soils, gives Nyetimber's wines their unique character and flavour profile. The estate's commitment to producing exceptional sparkling wines is evident in every bottle and their signature blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier is a testament to their dedication to crafting the finest English sparkling wines. Nyetimber's history spans almost a millennium, and their commitment to quality and excellence has never wavered. Their wines have achieved global acclaim, winning international awards and blind-tasting competitions and being recognized by some of the world's most celebrated wine experts. Nyetimber's dedication to crafting exceptional sparkling wines is evident in every bottle, making them a must-try for anyone who appreciates the artistry and science of winemaking. Nyetimber's Classic Cuvee NV is an ideal occasion-ready drink, with its pale-golden hue and fine bubbles that add to its charm. It has undergone extensive aging in the cellar, usually more than three years, resulting in distinctive toasty and spicy aromas that are a hallmark of Nyetimber's winemaking style. The wine's palate is a delightful blend of honey, almond, pastry and baked apples, giving it a hint of decadence that is sure to impress even the most discerning wine connoisseurs. The wine strikes a perfect balance between intensity and delicacy, elegance and complexity, making it consistently crowned as one of the best English sparkling wines. Nyetimber's commitment to quality and excellence is evident in every bottle of their Classic Cuvee NV, making it a must-try for anyone who appreciates the artistry and science of winemaking.

There are very few stories in the world of wine that are more important to tell than that of Bruno Giacosa. A man’s legacy etched into lore, and with such gravitas that it is still felt today in his native Piemonte by almost all the producers in the region. Born in 1929 in Neive where the winery remains, Bruno Giacosa spent his formative teenage years working with his father Carlo as a ‘commerciante’ or grape broker. This very important but often overlooked part of Giacosa’s history is perhaps the key to understanding his unrivalled ability to select fruit, even that which he hadn’t grown himself. The family’s income at that time revolved solely around the ability to sell fruit to winemakers, and taking any fruit to Vinify themselves would have been a conflict of interest. In fact, his father so vehemently opposed the young Bruno’s intention to bottle his own wine in the early 1960’s, that he had to do so without the blessing of the family. The first vintage wearing the label Bruno Giacosa was 1961, a single Barbaresco bottling from a mixture of vineyards as was custom at the time. It was the prominent wine author and critic Luigi Veronelli who at the time was crusading for Piedmont’s adoption of the French ‘cru’ classification of vineyard that convinced Giacosa to bottle and (importantly) label single vineyard wines soon after his first vintage. The first labelled cru bottling was the 1964 Barbaresco Vigna Santo Stefano, but it is possible that even the first wine used fruit exclusively from there. While the obsession with site continued and strengthened throughout Bruno Giacosa’s career, so did the predilection to purchase fruit from growers rather than buy vineyards himself. Though Giacosa was not the only winemaker somewhat late to the party in buying land in the Langhe, it is regarded as his greatest missed opportunity. Some of Italy’s greatest wines ever were Giacosa’s red label bottlings from Santo Stefano di Neive, Villero and Collina Rionda, none of which are produced today by the estate. In vinous literacy, it is impossible to read about the Langhe without reading about Giacosa and his contemporary Angelo Gaja. While Gaja was a willing frontman for the region, Giacosa continued to toil in the background. Both leading from the front and each producing the region’s best wines. Winemaking involves a great many small decisions, each affecting the next. One can only hope to get them right, to capture what there was in the grapes to begin with. - Bruno Giacosa Very few wines in the world come close to matching the complexity and presence of red label ‘Vigna Le Rocche’. In the vintages this plot is kept as a Riserva, the acidity, tannin and above all the balance must be in complete harmony due to the rigorous demands of both extended barrel ageing and the potential for a half-century in bottle. In their youth, Le Rocche Riserva is an immense wine. It is not forthcoming with its fruit when young, but nor is it disjointed in alcohol or tannin at any point. A rare kind of wine that seems carved from billet rather than made up of different parts. A cohesive wine of the tallest order, with some vintages vying for greatest wine of Italy. Intense red garnet colour with orange hints. The bouquet is complex and elegant, with notes of small ripe red fruit, blackcurrants, pomegranate and raspberries. On the palate it is full bodied, with an excellent tannic structure, the tannins are silky that give an excellent persistence to the wine.

Doña Celia is a premium tequila brand named after La Catrina, a respected and influential woman in the Mexican town of Atotonilco, Jalisco, where the tequila is produced using traditional techniques and the finest ingredients. This artwork "La Calavera Catrina" was a zinc etching originally created around 1910-1913 by Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada who was known for his images of political and social satire. The engraving mocked those who pretended to be of a higher class even if it meant starving or going without flesh. La Catrina soon became a symbolic figure during the time of the Mexican Revolution being associated with Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a pre-Colombian Meso-American festival of the observance of death and life that is celebrated on November 2nd in all of Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula and parts of Central America. To this day, Catrina continues to be a significant figure and she is one of the symbols regarding the Day of the Dead however she is also found to be in many books, cartoons, posters, figurines and artwork spanning over 100 years and is globally recognisable. The detailed ceramic bottle of each tequila is reminiscent of her and as a striking display of her elegance and broad-brimmed hat. She lives on and through her story, continues to make footprints of her legacy for all those around her to follow. One look at the beautifully colourful bottle tells you exactly where the tequila is from. Celia Maestri created this brand of artisanal tequilas and hand painted bottles in honour of her elegant and hardworking mother Mrs. Celia Barragan de Villanueva "Case Maestri's grandmother." This Limited Edition 100% de Agave Añejo Tequila is truly one of a kind. It's stand-out bottle is carefully hand crafted and made out of ceramic material. Produced at the Casa Maestri distillery, it’s aged in white oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months resulting in a rich and complex flavour that is sweet and woody. It gives notes of roasted bell pepper, fudge, and brandied cherries with a smooth finish. They utilise traditional slow baking in brick ovens and autoclaves to cook the blue agave hearts, and traditional mills (molinos) to extract the juices from the Agave. This extraordinary Añejo tequila comes from the most awarded tequila distillery in Mexico.

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.

Since 1765, Maison Hennessy has perfected the art of cognac-making, a tradition perpetuated by eight generations of Master Blenders. A legacy of cultural openness lets Maison Hennessy shine around the world, wherever its celebrated cognacs are shared. In 1817, James Hennessy created a unique blend for the future King George IV of England. From the encounter of these two visionaries, was born the first Hennessy “Very Superior Old Pale,” know today as Hennessy V.S.O.P. The savoir-faire of the Maison Hennessy is fully expressed in this balanced cognac: the selection of eaux-de-vie, aging and assemblage. A cognac of remarkable consistency and vitality, Hennessy V.S.O.P conveys all of the savoir-faire of the Hennessy master blenders who have ensured the continued success of this harmonious assemblage for 200 years. The key to a perfect bottle of VSOP starts at the roots. A tradition of careful aging in hand-crafted French oak barrels develops an eaux-de-vie’s unique expression. From ugni blanc grapes to V.S.O.P, the beauty of this blend is in the selection. It’s through the process of blending that eaux-de-vie becomes V.S.O.P. This Cognac has flavours and aromas of French oak, vanilla, cinnamon, candied fruit, and clove.