46°
Distillery : Imperial - Speyside
Ex-Bourbon Wood
Independent Bottling
By The Whisky Agency
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2011
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured
Totally Unpeated
Having closed in 1998 and been demolished in 2013, Imperial is a distillery that has captured the imagination and fuelled legends. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a bottle at a reasonable price. That is why this one is attracting attention. Aged for just 16 years and matured in Bourbon wood, it should live up to the expectations of many enthusiasts. One small drawback: it is not Cask Strength, but diluted to 46%. Furthermore, nowhere does it state that it is a Single Cask, yet only 194 bottles have been released. Unless they’ve used cask ends, I can’t see how you could blend a whisky that isn’t too old and still end up with just 194 bottles at a reduced alcohol content.
Let's Taste It :
Fully ripe yellow fruits, bursting with juice, squeezed citrus, lemon, grapefruit, mirabelle plums, banana. A hint of oak, beeswax, it is elegant and well-balanced, tarte Tatin, crusty bread with a thick layer of butter, an exotic touch in the background, papaya and mango. On the palate, it is spicy, oily, white grapes, yellow plums, melon juice, fresh walnuts. A long finish, with depth but not overly explosive, dried fruit, apricots, quince jam, figs, chlorophyll, angelica, marshmallow.
In Short,
Due to the dilution, there’s a lack of body which costs it at least one point, but otherwise it’s a very good whisky. The nose in particular is superb, generous with fruit yet also very subtle and elegant. The advantage of the dilution is that it’s a pleasure to drink, it goes down a treat. But it’s the complexity that really catches the eye. You can pick it up at a bargain price at auction, it’s the sort of hidden gem overlooked by the masses that you simply mustn’t miss out on.
Score : 88
To Be Listened While Sipping :
The Red Clay Strays - Demons in Your Choir
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