Imperial 18 Year Old (D.1990, B.2008) Rare Auld, Duncan Taylor / 53.1% / 0.7l

Rare Auld (meaning "Old and Unique") is an extremely prestigious series from Duncan Taylor Ltd. comprising single malt and single grain whiskies released in their natural form in single cask versions.

These unique spirits come from distilleries scattered throughout Scotland and differ, sometimes significantly, from the official editions, showing the full spectrum of the producer's potential. The Imperial presented here was distilled in January 1990 and spent 18 years in cask no. 359, and its contents in February 2008 translated into 176 bottles of cask strength whisky (53.1% abv). The Imperial Distillery ceased operation at the beginning of the new millennium, its buildings were demolished in 2012, and three years later the Dalmunach Distillery was built in its place.

Nose : strong oak notes, vanilla, buttered toast, toffee, baked apples, traces of lemongrass and green olives, white pepper and a touch of potpourri.

Palate : fruity and oak, orange peel, peaches, quince jam, apples, brown sugar, vanilla, fruit drops, candied ginger and oak.

Finish : quite long, with notes of candied fruit, vanilla, white pepper, ginger, lemongrass and oak.