Talisker 11 Year The Lustrous Creature of the Depths Special Release 2022 Island Single Malt Scotch Whisky 750ml

Talisker 11 Year "The Lustrous Creature of the Depths" is the 2022 Diageo Special Releases edition from the iconic Talisker Distillery on the southern shore of the Isle of Skye, founded in 1830 by the MacAskill brothers. Part of the eight whisky 2022 Diageo Special Releases "Elusive Expressions" collection, this expression marks Talisker's fourth consecutive year of appearance in the annual Special Releases series, anchored by the striking luminescent jellyfish artwork that has become one of the most recognizable bottle designs in modern Scotch. The whisky was distilled at Talisker, aged 11 years in first fill American oak ex bourbon casks (drawn from the distillery's lightly peated stocks), and bottled at natural cask strength of 55.1% ABV without chill filtration. The "Lustrous Creature of the Depths" name draws on the marketing legend of an ethereal sea creature drawn up from the blackest depths of Talisker Bay, whose captivating glow illuminated the distillery's new make spirit. The whisky itself is a luminous, fruit forward, brightly maritime Talisker, with classic coastal smoke and pepper layered over the bourbon cask's vanilla, lemon, and orchard fruit sweetness. Released in fall 2022 with original SRP around $130 USD, this is a discrete annual vintage, never repeated in the same form, and now increasingly scarce in original presentation packaging.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Deep golden glow with bright amber highlights from the first fill ex bourbon maturation.

Nose: Maritime in feel with light spice prickle, beach bonfire of dry seaweed, deep seated maritime saltiness, marine engines, drying fresh linen, peppery sooty peat, lemon, brine, almond oil, vanilla, wood fires, furniture polish, lemon peel and lemon juice, with a light berry sweetness developing over time.

Palate: Smoothly oily textured, gloriously sweet throughout and smoky spicy, with a distinct fruity hint evoking an orchard seen through smoke and sea mist, peppery and sweet, a touch of tannin, lingering bonfire, sweet oak, dried fruit, apricot, malt, and cream.

Finish: Long, peppery, with toffee sweetness, lingering bonfire, mild chili heat, clean minerality, sweet fruit, and a confident sustained maritime fade.

FAQ

What is the "Elusive Expressions" collection? "Elusive Expressions" was the overarching theme of the 2022 Diageo Special Releases collection, featuring eight whiskies from across the Diageo single malt portfolio with vivid fantasy themed bottle artwork and cask strength bottlings designed to push the boundaries of typical flavor maps. Talisker's contribution was the "Lustrous Creature of the Depths," featuring the iconic luminescent jellyfish illustration that has become one of the most recognizable Talisker label designs ever produced.

How is this different from the standard Talisker 10? The flagship Talisker 10 Year is bottled at 45.8% ABV in the classic maritime peppery peat house style. This 11 Year Special Release is bottled at full cask strength of 55.1% ABV, non chill filtered, drawn entirely from first fill ex bourbon casks (rather than the refill cask mix used in the 10), which produces a notably sweeter, more vanilla forward, brighter expression that still carries the unmistakable Talisker maritime peat backbone. Many fans rate this Special Release as a more vibrant, expressive young Talisker than the standard 10.

What does the jellyfish artwork represent? The Diageo marketing team built each 2022 Elusive Expressions bottle around a different fantastical creature themed to the distillery's character. For Talisker, the brief was a "lustrous creature of the depths" tying to the distillery's coastal Skye setting. The bioluminescent jellyfish illustration evokes the deep sea bioluminescence visible in waters off the western coast of Scotland and serves as one of the most striking single malt bottle designs of the decade.

How rare is this 2022 release? Strictly limited annual vintage. The Diageo Special Releases 2022 collection was unveiled in autumn 2022 with a finite global allocation, and US shipments arrived in fall 2022 at original SRP around $130 USD. Each year's Talisker Special Release is a discrete one off, never repeated in the same form. The 2022 vintage has steadily appreciated on the secondary market, with sealed bottles in the original Lustrous Creature presentation tube increasingly scarce.

Where can I buy Talisker Lustrous Creature 2022 online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.