Diageo Special Releases 2025 Is The Last Edition That Will Be Available In Malaysia

Another year, another set of Diageo Special Releases, wherein the drinks giant dips into its considerable stable of premium single malts and brings forth an unusual and varied selection—one that nearly always sheds new light on what that particular distillery is capable of. This 2025 edition consists of eight expressions under the theme of ‘Horizons Unbound’. They are all bottled at cask strength, ranging from about 51 to 60 per cent ABV, but nearly all of them are, surprisingly, relatively easy to drink given the high percentage.

Two of the most intriguing options from this batch are a pair of lesser-known distilleries: Dailuaine and Teaninich, from Speyside and the Highlands, respectively, and rarely seen as single malts. They represent the oldest and youngest whiskies from this batch: Dailuaine 21 Year Old ‘Marbled Treasures’ is an uncommonly intense sherried expression, big, fruity, and rich, with a velvety full body in the way only older sherry bombs can achieve. Teaninich 8 Year Old ‘Daring Rye’ is the only single grain whisky of the bunch, an experiment in mashing malted rye and barley together, and then distilled in ex-bourbon casks, and is as spicy and punchy and fleeting on the finish as you would expect. Being the youngest whisky, it also has the highest ABV of 60.3 per cent and, if there was one to dilute with a few drops of water, this would be it.

In the meantime, stalwarts are presented in a familiar but unusual fashion. Lagavulin 12 Year Old ‘Grain & Embers’ pairs the smoky Islay favourite with the rich dried fruit overtones of Pedro Ximénez and oloroso sherry casks, while Talisker 14 Year Old ‘Molten Seas’ features a finish in casks toasted by volcanic rocks to emphasise its sweet maritime nature. Meanwhile, Oban 12 Year Old ‘Heart of the Harbour’ does likewise with a warming, spicy note on top of classic ex-bourbon characteristics.

There are a few more surprises, too. The Singleton of Glen Ord 17 Year Old ‘Into the Blue’ takes an unusual turn by incorporating ex-mezcal casks, imparting a noticeable agave grassiness. Roseisle 14 Year Old ‘Harmonic Grace’ is an exercise in the use of refill and rejuvenated casks to create something of great balance and a hint of deeper complexity, while Clynelish 18 Year Old ‘Waxen Sun’ uses an exceptionally early cut to produce intense tropical fruit notes on top of the distillery’s characteristic waxiness.

One thing Malaysian whisky connoisseurs should note is that this is the final Special Releases collection that will be made available locally. Two hundred sets have been allocated for that purpose. Outside that, the Lagavulin and Roseisle expressions are also available separately.

Diageo Special Releases