Diageo has had some ups and downs over the past year as far as the whisky market is concerned, and has even decided to pause production at some of its distilleries in recent months. But that doesn’t mean the drinks company isn’t still putting out some excellent whisky, as evidenced by the release of the new 2025 Special Releases Scotch Whisky Collection: Horizons Unbound. We were able to sample all eight whiskies in the collection, and there are indeed some standouts.
The first Special Releases Collection came out in 2001, and while the lineup changes from year to year, there are some distilleries that make repeat appearances. This year’s collection was overseen by Diageo master blender Dr. Stuart Morrison, and according to the press notes the whiskies are supposed to be for two different kinds of drinkers—”those who relish discovery, innovation and craftsmanship, and those drawn to rich storytelling, sensorial experiences, and the joy of sharing something rare.” Do the whiskies live up to those lofty aspirations? You’ll have to try them to find out, but here are the details of lineup and what we thought of them.
First up is Lagavulin 12 Year Old ‘Grain & Embers,’ aged in PX and Oloroso sherry casks which gives it notes of dried fruit and raisin that butt up against the whisky’s smoky core. This is a great example of what this Islay distillery does best, and while it doesn’t veer far from other whiskies you might have tried it is very impressive. Oban 12 Year Old ‘Heart of the Harbour’ was matured in ex-bourbon barrels, and has just a touch of smoke on the back of the palate that is dominated by citrus and vanilla notes. Another smoky whisky is Talisker 14 Year Old ‘Molten Seas,’ aged in volcanic rock-toasted American oak casks—kind of a gimmick, and one that blended scotch brand Dewar’s has done before. We can’t say exactly how this affected the whisky, but it’s a good example of Talisker’s moderately smoky style nonetheless.
The Singleton of Glen Ord 17 Year Old ‘Into the Blue’ is an interesting whisky (and a standout in the collection) with trace amounts of smoke because of its unique secondary maturation—it was finished in ex-mezcal and second-fill ex-sherry casks, giving it a wisp of smoke and rich dried fruit notes. Dailuaine 21 Year Old ‘Marbled Treasures’ is the oldest single malt in the series, and its Spanish ex-sherry cask maturation has given it rich color and flavor making it a certifiable sherry bomb, while Roseisle 14 Year Old ‘Harmonic Grace’ was matured in refill and rejuvenated casks.
The last two whiskies are perhaps the most unique. Teaninich 8 Year Old ‘Daring Rye’ is a single grain whisky made with rye in the mashbill—uncommon but not unheard of in scotch whisky—giving it nice spice notes along with classic flavors picked up from its maturation in bourbon barrels. And Clynelish 18 Year Old ‘Waxen Sun’ was made using a process called the “pineapple cut,” a term that apparently means the cut of spirit was drawn early in the distillation when tropical fruit flavors are dominant. And, indeed, you can pick those up as you sip.
Diageo’s 2025 Special Releases collection is available now as single bottles at specialty retail stores around the country, and you can also visit the Bar or the Whisky Exchange to purchase the whiskies.
Authors
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Jonah Flicker