Another sample I picked up at Maltstock. I think. I don’t know much about it, but I know I generally enjoy Imperial. Although, I never bougt a drop since I don’t think it is that special after all. It weirdly tastes like much cheaper grain whisky. On the other hand, that is kind of what makes it special, right?

Imperial had been closed for quite a few years until it was demolished a short while ago. Apparently they are going to build a new distillery on the same site to get more much needed capacity at Chivas Brothers.

16 year old Imperial from Whisky Shop Dufftown

Sniff:
Sweet, warm apple crumble with vanilla custard on top. There is some allspice with a big pinch of cloves in there. The oak is very timid, but definetly present as well. Weirdly enough, this Imperial also tastes like much older grain whisky.

Sip:
Thick and syrupy, with hints of golden syrup or maple syrup. Slightly drying because of the ABV. I get a small fizzy feeling on the palate too. The sharpness of 57.4% kicks in rather late. There’s the slightest hint of white pepper for extra spice but mostly it’s vanilla, pound cake, lemon curd and oak.

Swallow:
The finish continues down the taken path. Pretty simple but definetly tasty. The character of the spirit is a bit more prominent as the oak influence wanes a little bit.

This is a very nice pick by Michael Lord from Whisky Shop Dufftown. At £ 60 it’s fairly affordable too, for a single cask whisky from a closed distillery bottled as a private release. Adds up, right? Anyway, it has some definete grain whisky likeness but in a good way. A bit more depth maybe. Deliciously fruity and sweet.

Imperial 16, 1994-2011, 57.4%, Bottled for The Whisky Shop Dufftown – Gordon & MacPhail Exclusive. Still available at WSD!