Scotch

Dailuaine 21 Year Old Diageo Special Release 2025 Review

Can 21 years in ex-Sherry casks create the perfect balance of fruit and spice? This Dailuaine special release answers with a resounding yes, ranking in my top three.

OVERALL RATING

9
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Tasting Notes

About:

Dailuaine Marbled Treasures is a 21 year old limited edition, and one of eight whiskies in Diageo’s Special Releases 2025. Full-term maturation in ex-Sherry Spanish oak and bottled at 54.4% ABV.
Appearance:
Deep amber or copper, with prominent legs around the side of the glass.
Nose:
Wild berries soaked in rich sherry. Brown butter fudge counterbalanced by a more savoury, cereal note. Chocolate and coffee. Dark oak and rich wood spice.
Palate:
Medium to full mouthfeel. Rich and plentiful. Bursts with sherried fruit. More berries, and autumnal red apple. Again, dark chocolate and rich coffee. Wood spice with cardamom, clove, nutmeg and black pepper warmth.
Finish:
Long. Those rich sherried red fruits move through dark coffee to end in warming wood spice.
Comments:
Big and flavoursome, the sherry cask influence was loud and clear after 21 years. One of my top three in the 2025 outturn.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Ed Leigh

Ed Leigh is a recognized authority on independent bottlers and artisan Scotch whisky. In 2019, he founded TopWhiskies.com, a specialist retailer dedicated to promoting these often family-run businesses and showcasing their small-batch releases. Based in London, Ed holds certifications in both wine and spirits from The Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

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