A Blend of 28 malts, by Diageo. Sounds like a Cask Strength Johnnie Walker Green Label to me. Well... i was wrong. Collectivum XVIII is a rather expensive (about $200) blended malt from the entire single malt portfolio of the Whisky Giants, Diageo. Labeled as the Blend to end all blends, i am happy to tell you this has been bottled at 57.3%abv. On the nose, Chocolate, cream and citric oranges. Orange peel. Ferrero rocher, it is like a nutty butter. Letting it breath revealed dried oranges. On the Palate, again this Chocolate profile. Ferrero rocher. Orange acidity. I am getting some raisin acidity and astringency. Increibly chocolaty. Very nice dram. Aftertaste is suitable for a strong, powerful dram, very well crafted. Impalpable sugar, and acid oranges. Some spiciness and mild peat. The aftertaste is quite something. Hazelnut, ginger, mouth numbimg. Puffs of smoke. Overall, i really didn't have any expectations for this whisky, and i was truly surprised. A super complex, powerful, enjoyable dram; this is one i will remember for a long time. It wasn't really overly peaty, and it has a perfect balance. My score for this beauty is 94 over 100.
Collectivum XXVIII (2017 Special Release)
About this bottle
Released in 2017 as part of Diageo's annual fall special release collection, this is the first blended malt release for the series which first began in 2001. The name refers to the 28 single malt distilleries--all active Diageo-owned-- which comprise the blend. The whisky was matured in a combination of refill American oak hogsheads, refill European oak butts, ex-bodega European oak, and first-fill bourbon American oak barrels. Bottled at 57.3% ABV, availability will be limited worldwide.
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 4 parsed reviews.
Who would’ve thought that mixing 28 single malts together would actually turn out really good? I had originally thought of this as a big marketing gimmick...and maybe it is, but hell, it worked. A bowl of fresh fruit and roasted nuts for the aroma; sherry cask had a huge part here. Palette Is all over the place, but somehow ends really well. Like a football team made up of rejects and a screwed up diverse cast, but somehow winning the Super Bowl. Waxy mouthfeel, I guess Clyneish had a big part here. Mine was only a sample, but I’ll look into getting a bottle
Nose: Sherry, chocolate covered raisins, cinnamon, light peat Taste: Full mouth feel, very rich with baked apples, baking spices, old oak, leather and dark chocolate Finish: Medium length with baking spices, sherry, chocolate and old oak
Very spicy, very smooth. Not Smokey at all
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
