WhiskyNotes » Imperial

Imperial 1990 (Duncan Taylor cask #450)

Ruben — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:00:38 +0000

Imperial is a rather low-profile Speyside distillery. During the 1980’s and 90’s, it has been closed (even with demolition permits) and restarted several times. Currently no whisky is produced at the distillery and it is uncertain what Pernod Ricard is planning to do with it. All the warehouses are empty but independent bottlers are releasing some of their stocks.

This 19 years old Imperial is part of a series. In 2008, Duncan Taylor released casks #35x and this year #44x with #450 being the latest addition.

Imperial 19yo 1990 (53,9%, Duncan Taylor Rare Auld 2009, cask #450)

Nose: very fresh, candied and floral. Lots of honey, toffee and vanilla pudding. Lots of fruit as well: oranges, pears, some pineapple and mango. Good balance with the oak that’s coming through (if you add water, the oak becomes more prominent). Quite feminine, very nice. Also, it seems older than it actually is. Mouth: very fruity again, enriched by the wood spices. Not at all drying though (unless you add water). Sweet notes of oranges and grapefruit. Different sorts of fruit candy. Apple pie. Some cinnamon, nutmeg and light hints of pepper towards the finish. Hints of liquorice as well. Finish: medium long, on pear drops, cinnamon and honey.

The fruitiness on the nose is just perfect. On the palate it manages to integrate the wood very well. Around € 65. Highly recommended.

Score: 87/100

Imperial 1990 (Whisky Agency)

Ruben — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:30:00 +0000

There’s still uncertainty about Imperial. Like Glen Keith (owned by Chivas Brothers as well), the distillery is currently closed but there are rumours that it could be restarted in the near future. Both have produced some nice whisky, but Glen Keith is probably in a better state and could be reopened more easily. Time will tell.

This Imperial 1990 is part of the Romantique series by The Whisky Agency. Unique labels again. I’m expecting high quality based on the reputation of many Imperial 1990 casks bottled by Duncan Taylor.

Imperial 21 yo 1990 (52,7%, The Whisky Agency ‘Romantique’ 2011, ex-bourbon hogshead, 233 btl.)

Nose: sweet with juicy butter pears, pineapple candy and plenty of vanilla powder. Crème anglaise, some white chocolate as well. Marzipan and roasted almonds. Apples with cinnamon. Quite thick. Mouth: big bodied with similar aromas. Sweet and slightly sticky fruits (orange marmalade, ripe pear) with pleasant spices (light pepper, cinnamon). Balanced oak. Generous dashes of honey. Apple pie. Finish: medium long, still the same profile of fruit pie, honey and spices.

A thick and juicy Imperial with buttery vanilla and spices from the oak. Not much evolution but very enjoyable. Around € 105.

Score: 88/100

Imperial 1995 (SV for The Nectar)

Ruben — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:13:00 +0000

Among the summer releases from The Nectar, there are two new Daily Dram bottlings (Caperdonich 1994 and Glen Ord 1996). Earlier this summer there was a Bowmore 1994 and this Imperial 1995, both bottled by Signatory Vintage for The Nectar. While this Imperial is only available in Belgium, a similar release (cask 50306 + 50307) has been widely available since March.

Imperial 15 yo 1995 (46%,
Signatory Vintage for The Nectar 2011, hogshead #50309, 281 btl.)

Nose: bright start, young in a good way. Juicy fruits (white peach, apples and pears, melon). Quite some barley notes (maybe a tad too grainy but that’s fine). A few sparkles of mint and citrusy sourness. Mouth: slightly oily attack, quickly getting hotter (pepper) and spicier (soft cinnamon). Nice fruity notes (melon, pear, citrus again) as well as vanilla sweetness. Simple but nice and clean. Finish: medium long, half sweet, half spicy.

Nothing spectacular but perfectly enjoyable. A bright young Speysider at an excellent price. Around € 45.

Score: 85/100