Talisker 11 Year Old Diageo Special Releases 2022

This sounds nice except, that the price of these special releases has escalated to a point where the cost factor may out weight the joy factor. My estimate is that the Talisker 11 will cost between $180 to $230 Canadian dollars per bottle(750ml). The Lagavulin 12 is priced around $260 per bottle. In current economic circumstances, whisk(e)y consumers will have to make frugal and deliberate choices on what brands and spirits they chose to purchase in the foreseeable future. Access to sample taster packs or the 200ml bottles for the Special Releases is nearly impossible in North America ... apologies did not intend to rant

@fiddich1980 - I don't think that's even approaching a rant, it's the reality!

They're all over £100 here, which just seems par for the course these days, but they aren't purchases I can make every time I want a bottle. Your comment about frugal choices is spot on. I've bought a lot lately, even dropping £200+ for the first time for a Redbreast 21 (able to pay in instalments), but I'm doing so as I feel that it will soon be too expensive to justify, if it isn't already.

Is the pleasure > or = to the cost? Often the answer, for me, is no. We're lucky here that we have auctions but, just like the market, I see the prices rising there too.

Apologies @markjedi1 for the diversion - great review, as ever, and, cost aside, the juice sounds delightful!

@RianC A follow up to comments a year later. A few of those 2022 releases did not move well. For some odd reason Diageo seems to be rushing the 2023 special releases. Our provincial run liquor control board decided to discount the glut of the 2022 special releases. The Talisker 11 "Sea Creatures" is now marked down to $140 Canadian dollars and the Lagavulin 12 "Pheonix" 2022 is marked down to $168. The effect of economic conditions on whisky prices and more frugal, smarter consumers.

@fiddich1980 - a timely comment!

I was recently looking at this year's releases' prices and couldn't help my eyes rolling back just a hair ...

They're way too expensive! And you're correct that last year's are still widely available and I've seen them discounted here too.

I agree with you and think that people like us who enjoy lots, and buy lots, of whiski are having to make more frugal choices. Most of my buys this year have been on bottles I know I want and will enjoy - even if they are expensive (what isn't?) - or on bottles in a sale. Gone are my days of buying bottles 'just to try'. I'll pay, within reason, the higher costs (it's duty on alcohol that stings us in the UK most) but I certainly won't be shelling out on over-priced, jazzed up bottles. I guess the 'knack', as it were, is to know your own palate and know how to spot the ones you have a good idea you will enjoy, then decide if you can a) afford it and b) are willing to pay the asking price.

I'm no economist or businessman, but this can't be good for the long term health of the industry? I could well be wrong about that though ...

@fiddich1980 The Oban, too. But not the Cardhu, Singleton of Glendullan, or Clynelish.

@YakLord there were a lot of Lagavulin 12, Talisker, and Oban. The other four releases, Mortlach, and Cameronbridge, were pretty well sold out when they were releases in March 2023 .... those with deep pockets.

I picked one up on clearance of all things. Now seeing your review I'm glad I did.