Imperial is like a poet whose work did not become appreciated until after their untimely death. In modern times a workhorse malt distillery for blends, it was mothballed in 1985, a difficult decade for the industry. Under new ownership it was running again between 1991-1998 but was then silenced, sold, and eventually scrapped in 2013 to make way for the new Dalmunach distillery. Its current relative fame seems attributable to independent bottlers putting out well-aged stock, a small cult following for its light floral style, and a surge in interest due to speculation in closed distillery price hikes.
I jumped on the hype train before I had ever tasted Imperial. When I become really quite serious about whisky during my Edinburgh days, I started checking the “New In” category of some good whisky retails daily, and was able to snatch two different ~24yo Imperials at RRP before they sold out. (Which may be within minutes or hours.) It was then by far the most I had paid for a whisky bottle (~£180), but I knew well that I could always recover my money (and then some) in the secondary market. And the flavour profile is right up my alley, so if I choose to drink it in the future when my income is more compatible with cracking open such an exclusive bottle, I’d surely be in for a treat. So however it goes, I’m a winner! And that’s always been my whisky investment policy. I buy things I would be quite happy to drink at the price I paid (at least in the future), but that might appreciate in value to the point where selling for a profit makes sense and can sponsor the purchase of whiskies I’m more keen to drink then.
But it’s unsatisfying to sit on exclusive bottles and not know what they taste like! So I was satisfied to get my hands on a couple of Imperial samples. Los geht’s.
Imperial 25yo (1997) Elixir Distillers (Single Malts of Scotland)
Type: Scotch single malt
Alcohol: 51.1%
Cask info: Cask Ref. #203
Bottling info: unchillfiltered and natural colour
Price and availability: €350 for a bottle of comparable batch, Germany, July 2023
🔗No WhiskyBase entry
Review sample: 3cl from SMoS advent calendar 2022
Experience ⚡
Fresh fruits on the nose (crisp red apples, papaya, sour grapes, green banana), and a fine minerality and earthiness (chalk, petrichor, dunnage warehouse). There is a subtly savoury note in the background (parmesan), and a little vanilla and oak spice. The palate is exceptionally juicy, with a thick texture, and ample umami; ripe tropical fruit at the fore, even some tobacco, and hint of smoke.
Thoughts 💡
This could serve as a reference for what a long ex-bourbon maturation of a Speyside whisky should strive for. I personally think the minerally aspect is what elevates and completes this whisky. It’s not overly complex or quirky, just well-balanced, clean, and delicious. That said, there is nothing uniquely ‘Imperial’ about this; it could just as well have been a Linkwood in my estimation.
Great Quality ⭐
Personal Favourite ❤️
Imperial 28yo (1993) Gordon & MacPhail (Connoiseurs Choice)
Type: Scotch single malt
Alcohol: 57.6%
Cask info: first-fill sherry puncheon
Bottling info: unchillfiltered and natural colour
Price and availability: only in secondary market
🔗WhiskyBase
Review sample: 2cl for €13 from Brühler Whiskyhaus
Experience ⚡
Red forest fruits (strawberry, blackberry), some confectionary (toffee, cream), as well as old-age notes (dunnage warehouse, polished leather). Sour cherries on the viscous palate; spicy oak, and a definite tobacco note that lingers in the finish.
Thoughts 💡
Also a successful long maturation; the sherry cask is not overbearing despite being first-fill, but is . Nothing not to like here, and a worthy old-age bottle, but also not hitting a very special note with me.
Great Quality ⭐
These well-aged casks of Imperial are fantastic. I really like that mineral note! Will I drink my two Imperials, or will I sell them, I don’t know. And there is no stress in finding out.
DuckDrams 
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