From the Duncan Taylor Battlehill line of whiskies comes a youngish 9yo Imperial, a distillery that is not prolific and is found mostly in the form of Independent bottlings. The nose is immediately sweet with a backing of dry dusty malt, Demerara brown sugar, vanilla, oak and tree fruits. Very much the aromas of a warm summer day in the orchard in some respects. And very nice. After a few minutes in the glass the oaky wood notes come to the fore striking a nice balance with the sweetness. The taste is very good with a good balance of the sweetness and the oaky wood notes and the fruit, an oily sweet mouth feel followed by some dryness and more fruit and some excellent malt. The finish is both warming and very long with additional malt and a dark chocolate bitterness arriving towards the end along with the oaky dryness. A surprise appearance of some mild citrus followed by a wonderful taste of malt.

Extraordinarily good and very much more-ish. Very much from the woody and fruity segment of the flavour wheel.

C$85

Score 85 Points

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