Diageo’s Special Releases for 2025 are here, this year dubbed “Horizons Unbound.” As always, that really just means we have some unusual finishes and barrel treatments on tap, though there’s also plenty of familiar stuff in the mix this year, too.
Eight whiskies are on offer this year. As always, we tasted through them and have some thoughts. Here they are, ordered in order of preference.
Dailuaine “Marbled Treasures” 21 Years Old Limited Edition 2025 Review
Fully matured in Spanish oak ex-sherry casks (type unclear). 21 years is a massive length of time for sherry aging, and you need only look at the color of this whisky in the glass to see the impact that more than two decades of it has had on this thing. The nose smells like sherry almost exclusively — nutty and lightly citrusy, with overtones of spiced raisins, plums, and macerated cherries. There’s an oily wood quality underneath, but it’s understated in comparison to the aggressive sherry-driven qualities on display. The whisky offers few surprises on the palate, where sherry continues to utterly dominate, dripping with raisiny fruit and darker baking spice notes, with a distinct focus on cloves. Dark cocoa powder notes become intense, with elements of tea leaf building. It’s a whisky for sherry bomb lovers only, but those fanatics will not leave disappointed. 108.8 proof. A- / $446
Teaninich “Daring Rye” 8 Years Old Limited Edition 2025 Review
Perhaps the most avant garde whisky in the collection, this is a single grain whisky made using malted barley and malted rye, a first for the brand. Matured 8 years in bourbon casks. The results are pretty fascinating, and much more in line with single malt than the typical single grain release. The nose is rich and immersive, with a clear bite of spicy rye giving it a bready, green quality alongside some gentler fruit elements. On the palate, similar flavors dominate alongside notes of banana bread and a light caramel/toffee quality that fades into an applesauce character with time in glass. Plenty of toasty rye clings to the finish, very bread-like and almost bizarre for Scotch. I didn’t realize the over 60% abv when I first tucked into this and was shocked to discover such at the end of my session. It certainly doesn’t drink like it. 120.6 proof. A- / $100
Lagavulin “Grain & Embers” 12 Years Old Limited Edition 2025 Review
12 year old Lagavulin, matured in refill casks plus Pedro Ximénez and oloroso-seasoned European oak butts. This is a relatively common wood treatment for Lagavulin, as the standard version is aged in bourbon and oloroso barrels, and PX finds a home in many special releases. The sherry is ineffective at tempering any of the heavy smoke notes on the nose — here rather barbecued, slightly meaty, with overtones of dark chocolate and toasted spices. Hints of dried fruit — raisins and dates — come in and out of focus, but the smoky haze is heavy. On the palate, the whisky showcases more of that fruit, the PX driving a stronger raisin character along with a much more insistent chocolate quality, quite dark and laced with cinnamon. It’s strong enough to make you forget about how heavily peated this whisky is — almost. 113 proof. A- / $185
Oban “Heart of the Harbor” 12 Years Old Limited Edition 2025 Review
Matured fully in bourbon barrels. The nose is surprisingly Christmassy, starting with butterscotch notes and moving to notes of fruitcake and dried fruits, which are surprising both for Oban and for bourbon barrel-aged whiskies. Notes of lemon peel, honeydew, and a coastal seaweed character are all in the mix, adding a panoply of interesting aromas. The palate is initially quite salty and grassy, with more lemon visible up front. This moves quickly into a classic nougat character, before a slightly gritty finish takes hold. Touches of cinnamon and some saffron imbue the finish, though a harder edge of green pepper lingers. 109.4 proof. B+ / $120
The Singleton of Glen Ord “Into the Blue” 17 Years Old Limited Edition Review
Finished in ex-mezcal and second-fill ex-sherry casks. Not at all what I was expecting. The nose has a leathery quality to it, but it’s not particularly smoky, showcasing notes of dried flowers, cardamom, and chamomile. It’s quite exotic and nothing like anything else I can recall from Scotland in recent memory. The palate has a dose of chocolate and some coconut in the mix, the smoke here gentle and plenty complementary. More dried florals on the finish, which is a bit hot and short, but full of life. Really, really unique. 111 proof. B+ / $200
Clynelish “Waxen Sun” 18 Years Old Limited Edition 2025 Review
Made using an experiment “that draws a cut of liquid early in the distillation process, when tropical flavors are prevalent, called the ‘Pineapple Cut.’” The results are actually quite representative of unfinished Speyside whisky, and while the nose isn’t especially tropical, it does showcase a pleasant lemon cookie note alongside some gentle sesame notes. It’s still lightly leathery around the edges and a little boozy, which surprises given the 51.5% abv. The palate’s lemon biscuit notes are more aggressive than the nose’s, the whisky edged with sharper citrus that approaches a fresh spritz of Lemon Pledge. Some spice clings to the finish but on the whole the presentation is fairly straightforward. 103 proof. B+ / $257
Talisker “Molten Seas” 14 Years Old Limited Edition 2025 Review
Matured in oh-so-trendy volcanic rock-toasted American oak casks for 14 years. Quite a pale whisky, and less overt on the nose than many a typical Talisker bottling, with a subdued nose of smoked salt and ashy bonfire embers. Notes of menthol are significant and lasting — and it’s hard to tell at times whether they complement or detract from the rest of the aromatic experience. The palate is on the quiet side, also smoky-ashy but with a chocolate component that perks up quickly. Notes of toasted almonds and some pistachio give the whisky a biscotti quality — or they would were it not for the presence of a smoky funk layered over everything. You know, like Talisker. 107.8 proof. B / $132
Roseisle “Harmonic Grace” 14 Years Old Limited Edition 2025 Review
A follow-up from the inaugural 2024 appearance of Roseisle in the collection, this is aged in a combination of refill and rejuvenated casks. A surprisingly grassy whisky, the nose feels decidedly pastoral, eventually giving way to notes of dried flowers and some lemon peel. Those grassy notes dominate, however, maintaining a slightly burnt, almost ashy quality that strikes an unusual, insistent tone. The palate has more life but remains very floral and perfumed throughout, with more traditional notes of nougat, sesame, and heather building with time in glass. Chewier chocolate notes and a bit of raisin emerge on the finish, but the perfume doesn’t give up, remaining quite heady, almost overwhelming at times. 111 proof. B / $174
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