Imperial 12yo 1997-2009 55% Closed Distilleries btl.96/250
Imperial isn't necessarily closed as far as I'm concerned, it's just out of business as current owners refuses to start producing again. Straw color, smells very light for its high %abv, very delicate, austere, fresh lavender, notes of delicious spicy bratwurst, lightly spiced and meaty. The taste is at first mild, whipped cream and orange marmalade, but the finish is long and extremely peppery, needs some water I think. With a drop of water it it gets more rubbery and quite unpleasant, I prefer it without.
Very well made Imperial but stay away from water: 6.5
Imperial 18yo 43% Chieftain's Choice
I'm one of those hoping that we will see Imperial distilling in the future even though it seems Chivas sees no future for the distillery. White wine color, smells little to nothing, like a young Glen Grant OB. Given time it develops on heathery notes and slight sweetness, sweet white wine, but very withdrawn. The taste is fresh, clean, sweet, floral, honey, winter fruits, peach, sauternes, amazingly well composed. It's all ended with a spicy peppery finish that settles the fruitiness and gives the impression of a mature malt.
Perfectly balanced fruity malt: 7
Imperial 10yo 1998-2009 46% Duncan Taylor nc2 cask#1022 btl.209/323
Imperial, seems to be one in the dangerzone of being closed within near future. This would be a major mistake I think, as its bottlings are way better at a younger and much more profitable age than for example Caperdonich, Glen Keith and Littlemill. This one has the colour of straw, smells slightly spirity and peppery, farm house. This taste is light and floral with an aftertaste of fresh mint. From a bourbon cask. A good whisky that's worth checking out while its still affordable.
From a cask that demands a flavourful malt: 5.5
Imperial 27yo 1982-2009 58.3% Signatory Vintage
The Imperial seems to be closed forever, but in this whiskyworld nothing is impossible, so we might in the future see a change of hands on this distillery, and hopefully it will start reproducing its fine malt whisky. At 27 years of age this needs some time to open up. The smell is spirity, I am a firm believer that sherry-matured whiskies handles high alcohol strength better than bourbon-matured, which shows to be true here, so I'll add some water right away. With water its still way to dry, with taste of starch, grass and orange peel, very bitter.
A bitter, ruined Imperial: 2
Imperial 17yo 1989-97 46% Signatory Vintage
Very oaky this one from Signatory. Imperial can be anything from exceptional to rock bottom when it comes to taste. This is no different, that's for sure, sweet and eucalyptic. Modern tasting, almost minty, clean. I'm looking forward to and hoping there will be some new OB's from this distillery soon.
Sofisticated and modern Signatory: 6
Imperial 12yo 65% James MacArthur's
65% on this very dark malt sherried malt. Smells of lemon, caramelized almonds and quite flowery. Very pleasant drink, even with the staggering amount of alcohol. Tastes of dark toffe, creamy caramel and leather. Is to be enjoyed without water in my opinion, and Imperial here shows that it can handle a high percentage of alcohol very well, without loosing any of the beautiful and pleasant, soft flavours.
A connoisseur's gem: 8
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