Decadent Drinks just released the January outturn, which includes two Whiskyland releases. Old Imperial and old Braes of Glenlivet, cheers.
Imperial 27 yo 1997 (49,8%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2025, refill barrel, 155 btl.)
Nose: mead comes out, with very rich vanilla custard, paraffin candles and some pollen. Vegetal oils. Very waxy. Then warm fabrics and dandelions as well. Tinned fruits underneath, with a dash of honey, along with fresher lemons and light whiffs of sandalwood.
Mouth: starts in a similar waxy way, along with pears, plums and peaches. Mid-palate it turns towards zesty citrus with a soft grassy side. Then back to honeys and some vanilla pastry with a burnt edge. It becomes quite floral as well, with hints of Early Grey and just a hint of bitter green tea.
Finish: long, zesty and slightly minty, without any oak whatsoever.
I have the feeling that a lot of the remaining Imperials are becoming over-aged, but this doesn’t have these signs of fatigue. It’s fresh, elegant and it shows this gorgeous combination of bright fruits and waxiness that we adore in Imperial. Available from Decadent Drinks.
Braeval 36 yo 1989 (51,6%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2025, refill hogshead, 143 btl.)
Nose: more oak-infused, in a nice way. More beehive notes perhaps. Honeycomb, brioche or panettone, along with a mix of citrus and raisins. Touches of candlewax, for sure. Then quite a thick and round fruitiness as well, towards apricots, orange syrup and dried mango. Even some leafy notes – hints of a cigar shop.
Mouth: same impression. The fruitiness is round and slightly syrupy here, with more mango, stewed pears, peach candy and a little honey. Then oak spice appears – candied ginger, perhaps a tinge of white pepper too. This moves towards sandalwood and cigar leaves again, giving it an old-school character.
Finish: long, balancing the drying leafy notes, a little fruit tea and the lingering fruit sweetness.
While more oak influence isn’t necessarily an advantage, here it adds a wonderful complexity and simple richness. Lovely duo, this. Available from Decadent Drinks. Score: 91/100