Whisky: Imperial 17 Year (1995), Berry Bros & Rudd Cask 50348

Country/Region: Scotland/Speyside

ABV: 46%

Cask: Bourbon Cask

Age: 17 Years (Distilled 1995, Bottled 2013)

Nose: Waxy and tropical, overripe tropical fruit, guava and lilikoi, mild strawberry cream, cheap birthday cake candles, paraffin wax, subtle lacquered wood and vanilla.

Palate: Medium-bodied, waxy paraffin, coconut, musk, birthday cake frosting and candles, tropical fruit, mint and herbs.

Finish: Medium-length and slightly drying with tropical fruit, cream, and chalk.

Score: 8

Mental Image: Guava Roll Cake Birthday Surprise

Narrative & Notes: The aroma was surprisingly vibrant, considering the age and abv of this whisky. Tropical fruits hit first with overripe guava and lilikoi, sweet and slightly fermented, while waxy birthday cake candles, the very cheap ones that melt shockingly fast, lent a thickness to the aroma. Mild strawberry cream and birthday cake frosting continued with more paraffin and subtle notions of lacquered wood, wood polish, and sun-cured vanilla. Medium-bodied with a waxy mouthfeel, melting paraffin wax again, the flavor profile featured coconut candies, musk-flavored Lifesavers, and frosting-covered birthday cake candles. Guava and tropical citrus developed later, with mint and catnip lingering at the end. The finish was medium-length and slightly drying with tropical fruit, cream, and chalk.

I was surprised by just how robust and aromatic this whisky turned out to be. I won this on auction back in 2022 when the pound was low against the dollar. It seemed like a good deal, even with the expense of collecting the bottle. Even though I made an effort to get this bottle, I did not have high expectations for it; I was not a massive fan of the only other Imperial I tried. I ultimately offered to share most of it with friends so everyone could have a chance to try the long-dismantled Imperial Distillery (the site of the new Dalmunach Distillery).

Overall, an incredibly lovely surprise; this had everything I had hoped to find in the last Imperial I tried, and I thought the flavor profile was just an absolute delight. The whisky was full-flavored and robust, with a good finish and plenty of delicious tropical fruit. I am glad that I got a chance to share this with friends and that not only did it not suck, it was actually delicious. I am sure I will miss this bottle when it is gone; I do not think it will be around for long.