Collectivum XXVIII, 57.3% abv.

Part of Diageo's 2017 Special Releases. The first blend in the series and consists of all 28 operational malt whisky distilleries owned by Diageo: Auchroisk, Benrinnes, Blair Athol, Caol Ila, Cardhu, Clynelish, Cragganmore, Dailuaine, Dalwhinnie, Dufftown, Glendullan, Glen Elgin, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie, Glen Ord, Glen Spey, Inchgower, Knockando, Lagavulin, Linkwood, Mannochmore, Mortlach, Oban, Roseisle, Royal Lochnagar, Strathmill, Talisker and Teaninich.

Nose: sour apples, lemon, some vanilla, bread.

Palate: dry, initial palate is sour, spice builds up, mid palate is like dried fruit paste but less intense, with time everything gets more sweet, but still has a sweet and sour leafy vegetable taste.

Finish: medium to long, spicey and dry, has a weird tongue coating aftertaste.

Overall its a strange one. To be honest not alot of special stuff going on, but a weird conglomerate of unbalanced flavors. The taste is interestingly weird, but not memorable. Too much weird stuff going on, so I guess it's got some complexity. It's not really enjoyable though. The evaluation range of several tasters is also quite large.

Grade: D

Scotchwhisky, Dave Broom, 78 points
Whisky advocate, Jonny McCormick, 94 points
Whiskynotes, Ruben Luyten, 89/100
Lawhiskeysociety, Ries, B+
2019 Whisky Bible, Jim Murray, Scotch Vatted Malt of the Year

Image courtesy of Eric Yee.

Eric Yee

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