Imperial 1990 21 YO The Whisky Agency

Imperial 1990 21 YO The Whisky Agency, 52,7 %

A very good friend gave me a sample of this goodlooking whisky, a 21 YO Imperial from the bottling series Romantiques released by the independent bottler The Whisky Agency. Actually this is only the third Imperial I have ever tasted.

Imperial Distillery was located in Speyside, but it closed in 1998 and was demolished in 2013.

The whisky was distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2011. It was matured in a bourbon hogshead that gave 233 bottles.

Unfortunately this whisky is not available in Norway or Sweden.

Nose (23/25): A really rich nose. Mmmm...a lovely mix of vanilla and fruits at first. I noticed apples and pears. Then some spiciness, cardamom I think. After a while the sweetness got deeper with fudge and milk chocolate, with a little touch of mint.

Taste (23/25): Rich and warm. Vanilla, caramel and salt at first, before the fruitness comes along. Green apples, rhubarb and juicy peaches. Quite fresh with some mint.

Finish (22/25): A cold finish. Salt and citrus. As the whisky lingered in my mouth, a wave of warmth came rolling with liquid caramel and some fruitiness.

Balance (23/25): Wow, such a rich and complex whisky. Well balanced with sweetness and fruits. A really lovely dram!

Score (91/100)

Thanks, Roland!

- Tone