Imperial 1989 Exceptional Casks 30 yo

 

 

 

47,9°

Distillery : Imperial - Speyside

Bourbon Cask 

Independent Bottling  

By Berry Bros. & Rudd

Limited Edition 

Single Cask 

Bottled in 2020

Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured

Almost Unpeated

 

 

 

In 1989, the Imperial distillery had just resumed production, in a minimalist way, after 4 years of silence, as it had just been bought by Allied Distillers. Unfortunately, what seemed like a revival did not last long, and the distillery closed for good in 1998. This tiny Bourbon cask, which produced only 178 bottles, stayed for thirty years waiting to be tasted. I have not been able to confirm that it was bottled cask strength, but it is very likely.

 

 

 

Let's Taste It :  

Salt and tide, beach sand, iodine, sea breeze. A touch of limestone, lime, a few citrus fruits. Very light, airy peat, cementing the whole. Candle wax, candied vanilla, liquid honey. On the palate, it's a bit more classic, more Speyside, but it remains costal, light cereals, fruits that don't stand out much, balanced, wheat, puffed rice, white plums and raisins, a pinch of pepper, a mint leaf. Long, perfectly mastered finish, earthy cereals, chalk, a final pinch of salt.

In Short, 

As the name suggests, this is truly an exceptional cask. Note the slight veil of smoke, the candle wax and the salt. Otherwise, of course, honey, candied fruits, exotic and lime. Obviously, the price makes you think twice, but don't forget it's thirty years old.

Score : 89

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping :

 

                                           John O'Leary - Drinking Again