Diageo Unveils Special Releases 2021: Legends Untold

True Scotch enthusiasts think of fall as a wonderful time to be alive—not because of leaf peeping and pumpkin picking excursions, mind you. But because it’s the time of year that Diageo, one of the world’s largest spirits companies, unveils its much-anticipated annual Special Releases collection—an initiative that started in 2001.

This year the theme is Legends Untold. And there will be eight bottlings—the same number since 2019. (Years past, like in 2017 and 2018, have included at least 10 expressions.)

And as always, there are tried-and-true staples (such as the ever-reliable Lagavulin 12) and there are highlights. This year’s big additions include a briny and bold Talisker 8, a fresh-tasting Royal Lochnagar 16 Year Old, and a Lagavulin 26 Year Old finished in first-fill Pedro Ximénex and Oloroso Sherry.

But beyond the liquid, Diageo tapped digital illustrator Ken Taylor to bring to life the “legendary tales” behind each of the distilleries featured in the collection. The result is incredibly bold packaging, reminiscent of old school sci-fi book covers replete with magical creatures.

And as an experiential component, a QR code is included in each of the bottles. Imbibers simply scan the codes to access “multi-sensory experiences,” which will jump start the narration of an expression’s mythical tale. After that, there will also be a guided tasting experience.

“We have delved into the core characteristics of several classic distilleries, exploring the elements and reimagining the liquids for the Legends Untold collection,” said master blender Dr. Craig Wilson, who personally picked each of the whiskies for the Special Releases Collection. “The mythical creatures of this year’s collection represent the true expressions of the distilleries. Taking inspiration from them, we have revealed new depths of flavor and embraced the essence of each of the whisky’s unique flavor profiles revealing the legend it brings to life. This year’s collection is just the very beginning of the story.”

2021 Diageo Special Releases: Legends Untold

Mortlach 13 Year Old

Details: ABV: 55.9% | Region: Speyside | Cask: Virgin and refill American oak casks | SRP: $124.99

Diageo Tasting Notes: A mellow and rounded nose-feel lulls the senses, then introduces a first soaring note of freshly oiled wood. Next, rising through this, savory and meaty notes suggest the beast within yet also carry a sweet tartness, suggesting roast pheasant with redcurrant jelly. The senses are heightened as these pitch perfect aromas in turn reveal a deeper moorland base-note, rich in heather pollen and freshly crushed herbs. A drop of water completes the anticipation, bringing out a sweet, fruity hint of lime. Limited quantities available.

Singleton of Glendullan 19 Year Old

Details: ABV: 54.6% | Region: Speyside | Cask: Refill American oak casks, finished in cognac casks | SRP: $174.99

Diageo Tasting Notes: Mild in feel, the nose shines with top notes of dried fruits suggesting dried figs and apricots or crystalized angelica and orange peel, while beneath this there is the dry scent of a light fruitcake, iced with spirited notes of vanilla scented marzipan. More buttery notes emerge with a drop of water, which also brings up the spiciness. Limited quantities available.

Talisker 8 Year Old

Details: ABV: 59.7% | Region: Island/Isle of Skye | Cask: Heavily peated refill casks | SRP: $114.99

Diageo Tasting Notes: The mild nose-feel gives little hint of the furious spirit soon to emerge. The top notes are sweet and maritime, an early cereal hint of porridge oats rapidly giving way to more cleansing and maritime aromas that suggest briny seaweed, crystal salt and iodine, on a base of mountain smoke. A drop of water softens things, increasing the maritime character. Limited quantities available.

Lagavulin 26 Year Old

Details: ABV: 44.2% | Region: Islay | Cask: PX/Oloroso seasoned first fill casks | SRP: $2,399.99

Diageo Tasting Notes: On the mellow nose a finely woven wine-woody aroma of great complexity takes time to yield its individual secrets. Light, fresh and vinous top notes mingle with the linseed oil of an artist’s studio then fade into a warm suggestion of sun-bleached polished mahogany, backed by dry edible seaweed, with sweeter hints of baked fig and butterscotch. Further in, the aromas grow more pungent, oily and fragrantly smoky; like going fishing, with background aromas of tarry rope and boat engine. If a little water is added, their intensity is reduced, while a note of clean linen survives best. No. bottles available: 7,542

Lagavulin 12 Year Old

Details: ABV: 56.5% | Region: Islay | Cask: Refill American Oak casks | SRP: $149.99

Diageo Tasting Notes: Mild, drying and soon, wonderfully aromatic; clean, fresh and maritime, with top notes of sea air and Himalayan salt, supported by fragrant smoke-dried Lapsang Souchong tea, mineral salts and light cleansing salve. Beneath these lie drier notes of cocoa powder and dried seaweed, with a squeeze of lemon zest, this salty sweetness imbued with wood-smoke from a distant bonfire on the shore. Limited quantities available.

Cardhu 14 Year Old

Details: ABV: 55.5% | Region: Speyside | Casks: Refill American oak casks, finished in red wine casks | SRP: $149.99

Diageo Tasting Notes: The mild nose is fresh and lightly fruity, as gentle aromas of white grape and lychee frolic with sharper hints of green apple, pear and a trace of orange zest, all enrobed by a hint of buttery pastry. Rising above these, a light spicy note reveals more of the wine-seasoned wood. A drop of water introduces a light note of meadow flowers, which become distinctly honeyed with time. Limited quantities available.

Oban 12 Year Old

Details: ABV: 56.2% | Region: Coastal Highland | Cask: Freshly charred American Oak casks | SRP: $114.99

Diageo Tasting Notes: Mellow, with elusive yet unmistakeably maritime top notes of crispy edible seaweed, crystal salt and coarse black pepper on a wooden trencher, perhaps accompanied by very lightly smoked fillets of white fish. After a while a spoonful of sweet chilli sauce is added to the platter while with a drop of water, light olive oil becomes the top note. Limited quantities available.

Royal Lochnagar 16 Year Old

Details: ABV: 57.5% | Region: Highland | Cask: American Oak and European Oak refill casks | SRP: $249.99

Diageo Tasting Notes: The very mellow and rounded nose swirls with subtle aromas. The top notes are lightly fruity, suggesting orange zest and green apple. They are encased after a while, in a hint of puff-pastry, all resting on a mossy and lightly woody base. Adding a splash of water adds to the fruit, now firm white grapes, and brings up the spiciness. Limited quantities available.