Imperial 1998 The Single Malts of Scotland 21 yo

 

 

 

46,4°

Distillery : Imperial - Speyside

Bourbon Barrel

Independent Bottling 

By Elixir Distillers 

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and it is Elixir Distillers that has played a major part in bringing to public attention the qualities of this closed distillery, which seemed on the road to oblivion. Closed in 1998, then destroyed in 2015, this distillery, which had produced just one single malt in its lifetime, had everything it needed to be erased from history. But that was without counting on the vigilance of the Singh brothers, who bought a large number of casks from the distillery and released them in dribs and drabs once they had been bottled. This one, a Bourbon cask, let the precious liquid mature for 21 years, 5 months and 24 days, before releasing it in a very small number of 104 bottles, which were sold only on the French market, as part of La Maison du Whisky's Conquest range. I assume that it sold out quickly.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

First of all comes the fruit, orange marmalade with bits in it, sparkling white plums and ripe bananas. Malt in shambles, long-waxed wood, a salty, crystalline touch, and brown butter, which you spread on a slice of toast just out of the toaster. Brioche, croissant, it's very sweet, and creamy, with vanilla and more melted butter, it gradually turns into almond paste. On the palate, the wood comes through, mingling with everything I've already mentioned: soft bread, buttered toast, a touch of salt. A few spices: cinnamon and a pinch of cumin. Warm and friendly, with a hint of chocolate. Rather long, masterful finish, on cola and Van Houten chocolate powder, ground coffee, earthy. Herbaceous touches at the end.

 

In Short, 

This is my first Imperial, and I'm totally impressed. It's a distillery with a real identity, very special in Speyside. Wax, buttered bread and a touch of salt. It's reminiscent of Glen Elgin, but also of Clynelish in a much softer way. It's not quite typical of Speyside (Linkwood or Glenburgie are much more typical to me), but it has the sweetness, creaminess and fragility. This is a very fine distillery, and I'm lucky enough to discover it through a very fine bottling. The release price was a little severe but fair, but today it's completely sold out, and it's starting to get hot on the secondary market, it's now too expensive.

Score : 89 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :   

                                           Lloyd Cole & The Commotions - Forest Fire