We're back for another year of the Diageo Special Release 2025 Edition!

2025's lineup is beginning to take shape, and whilst more labels might continue to show up, here's what we got so far. 

In quick summary, we've got old favourites like Lagavulin, Talisker and Singleton, along with Scotch staples in the form of Oban and Dailuaine which we didn't get last year, and of course Diageo's more recent addition to the brood, Roseisle. As has been prevalent the past several years, we've got all these rather animated looking labels, and we're now accustomed to be in for some rather interesting factoids about these whiskies - like what exactly goes into an American oak cask toasted by the heat of volcanic rocks from Skye? But we do get a Singleton that's finished at least in part in ex-Mezcal casks that's caught our attention. 

Let's take a closer look at them below.

1. Talisker 14 Year Old, 53.9% ABV Natural Cask Strength, Finished in American Oak Casks Toasted By The Heat Of Volcanic Rocks From Skye

First up, we have the 14 Year Old Talisker, this one's finished in American Oak Casks toasted by the heat of volcanic rocks from Skye, and bottled at natural cask strength which is here 53.9% ABV. 

Does that mean they left the casks out by the beach?

2. Lagavulin 12 Year Old, 56.5% ABV Natural Cask Strength, Matured in Refill Casks and Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso-Seasoned European Oak Butts

Next up, we've got another usual fan favourite #dothelaga. This one's 12 Years Old, bottled at natural cask strength of 56.5% ABV, and has been matured in refill casks and Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso-seasoned European oak butts.

This almost seems eerily normal?

3. Singleton Glen Ord 17 Year Old, 55.5% ABV Natural Cask Strength, Finished in Ex-Mezcal and Second-Fill Ex-Sherry Casks

Another regular, we've got the Singleton of Glen Ord, here a 17 Year Old, bottled at 55.5% ABV natural cask strength, and then interestingly (also something we've been seeing more of) finished in ex-Mezcal and second-fill ex-Sherry casks.

It's sometimes still rather divisive but I do like ex-Mezcal finishings, so this one does catch my eye.

4. Roseisle 14 Year Old, 55.9% ABV Natural Cask Strength, Matured in Refill and Rejuvenated Casks

And of course, we shouldn't be too surprised to see more of Diageo's newest powerhouse distillery, Roseisle, which as we've tasted ourselves is bright, fruity and confectionary. Has it been 14 years already? Well, here we've got a 14 Year Old Roseisle, 55.9% natural cask strength as they always say, that's matured in refill and rejuvenated casks - no mention of what these casks are, but they do tell us that this is for a "complex layered spirit".

5. Oban 12 Year Old, 54.7% ABV Natural Cask Strength, Matured in Ex-Bourbon American Oak Casks

Drawing from the Diageo stable, we've got Oban, which is always a coin toss as to whether it'll show up in the Special Releases. This is 12 Years Old, bottled at 54.7%  ABV natural cask strength, and again very moderately matured in ex-Bourbon American oak casks - nothing too crazy here.

6. Dailuaine 21 Year Old, 54.3% ABV Natural Cask Strength, Matured Life-Long in Spanish Ex-Sherry Casks

Another staple from the Diageo house, this is Dailuaine, which doesn't show up all that frequently. This is pretty well aged, coming in at 21 Years Old, bottled at 54.3% ABV. Yet perhaps rather amusingly, it's stated as being matured "life-long" in Spanish ex-Sherry casks, which almost sounds like someone had to hit the word count on their school essay. Nevertheless, we like a good Dailuaine.

That's what we've got for now, check back for more label if they do show up!

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team