More multiple excitement as this week’s New Arrival consists of seven single malt whiskies which make up Diageo Distillers Editions 2022.

Following on from last week’s dive into French whisky, we’ve got another bumper New Arrival post but this time from a more traditional whisky country, Scotland. The latest collection so Diageo Distillers Editions single malts have just landed at Master of Malt. 

The first collection was developed in 1996 as a limited edition line for specialist whisky shops after the six original Classic Malts went into chains. The Diageo team of Mike Collings, Maureen Robinson, and Jim Beveridge used finishing techniques pioneered by David Stewart at Balvenie and Bill Lumsden at Glenmorangie which at the time were quite innovative. They worked on finding the ideal fortified wine finish for each malt such as PX casks with Lagavulin or Montilla fino with Oban. The range was launched in 1997 and has been a stalwart of the Diageo portfolio ever since.

The team used small American oak casks which were seasoned with the particular fortified wine at the Diageo Bodega – it’s special seasoning warehouse in the central belt in Scotland. The whiskies went into the casks at around regular bottlings age and were, according to an ex-Diageo exployee, finished for around six months. Last year’s collection were vintage releases whereas this year they are NAS.

So limited edition bottlings of well-known and much-loved malts with unusual cask finishings, it doesn’t sound dissimilar to the current incarnation of Special Releases only without all the palaver and at much more reasonable prices. Now the latest batch has just landed at Master of Malt towers. So let’s take a closer look at Diageo Distillers Editions 2022!

New Arrival of the Week: Diageo Distillers Edition 2022

Glenkinchie Distillers Edition – 2022 Collection

This shows what a Distillers Edition is all about. Whereas the classic 12-year-old bottling from Glenkinchie is all about fruit, vanilla and honey, this adds spice and dried fruit from sherry cask ageing. It was first matured in refill American and European oak casks and then finished in amontillado-seasoned charred American oak with heavily re-charred new oak end turning the mellow sweet Lowland malt into something altogether punchier.

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose: Dried apricots and sultanas, with some toasted almonds, and warming woody spice.

Palate: Creamy malt, with some light fruitcake, green grapes, and drying, peppery spice.

Finish: Drying and spicy.

New Arrival of the Week: Diageo Distillers Editions 2022

Dalwhinnie Distillers Edition – 2022 Collection

Dalwhinnie is one of the most northerly mainland distilleries in Scotland. This has a similar ageing regime to the Glenkinchie: first matured in refill American and European oak casks, with the second maturation in oloroso-seasoned re-charred American oak with heavily re-charred ends. This adds spice and nuts to the classic tropical fruit of Dalwhinnie. 

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose: Guava, and mango, with twists of black pepper.

Palate: Fresh tropical fruit drizzled with honey, a touch of toasted coconut, and some nutmeg.

Finish: A little nutty, and with warming spice.

New Arrival of the Week: Diageo Distillers Edition 2022

Talisker Distillers Edition – 2022 Collection 

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. 

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose: Salty sea spray, bonfires, and raisin-like sweetness.

Palate: Plenty of peat, backed by sticky dates, peppery spice, and a touch of salt.

Finish: Drying oak and lingering smoke.

New Arrival of the Week: Diageo Distillers Edition 2022

Lagavulin Distillers Edition – 2022 Collection

This one sounds particularly great as Lagavulin from Islay has a great affinity with sherry so anything that turns up the sherry volume is ok by us especially if there’s some extra char involved. Second maturation takes place in Pedro Ximenz-seasoned re-charred American Oak with heavily re-charred ends.

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose: Large helpings of peat are joined by dried fruit, raisins, and some vanilla sweetness.

Palate: Coastal smoke, with some salted toffee, and more sherry character.

Finish: Oaky spices linger, with lingering peat.

New Arrival of the Week: Diageo Distillers Edition 2022

Cragganmore Distillers Edition – 2022 Collection

Breaking up the sherry party is this Port-cask finished whisky from Speyside’s Cragganmore. Following ageing in refill casks it had a second maturation in Port-seasoned re-charred American Oak with heavily re-charred new ends. It was bottled at 40% ABV.

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose: Dark cherries, plums, and cocoa nibs, with subtle smoke.

Palate: Wine gums, forest fruit, with oaky spice, and distant bonfire.

Finish: Drying, with red fruits lingering.

New Arrival of the Week: Diageo Distillers Edition 2022

Caol Ila Distillers Edition – 2022 Collection

Another unusual cask finish here. Secondary maturation takes place in American oak casks that previously held sweet moscatel wine. This brings layers of floral, heady fruitiness to the coastal smokiness of Caol Ila. It’s a match made in heaven. 

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose: Waves of coastal peat, with damp ashes, and subtle hints of dried apricot.

Palate: The full flavoured smoke has a sweeter edge tending more towards barbecue smoke, with some pepper and cinnamon alongside.

Finish: Lovely and smoky.

New Arrival of the Week: Diageo Distillers Edition 2022

Oban Distillers Edition – 2022 Collection 

The delicate maritime flavours of Oban are complemented here by a finishing in American oak casks that previously held Montilla fino. This is a dry wine, a bit like a fino sherry, but made with Pedro Ximenez grape in Montilla, the region next door to Jerez. So while this is bone dry, it’s also more full-bodied than a sherry. It’s a cask that’s very rarely used in Scotland and adds an unusual seasoning to this Oban. 

Tasting Note by The Chaps at Master of Malt

Nose: Light sea spray, with some gooseberry and white peach, along with toasty oak spice.

Palate: Subtle sweetness, with creamy grain, more fruit, drizzles of salted caramel, and some peppery spice.

Finish: Peppery spice builds, with green oak.

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