Imperial 14yo 1994/2008 (46%, Duncan Taylor, Whisky Galore, Madeira)

An independent bottling of Imperial Distillery (currently moth balled and up for sale) finished in a Madeira cask for an unspecified amount of time and ‘no chill filtering or colourings’.

The nose is very pleasant with dusty dry malt (think of a malt mill room or even a malt store) backed by a strong layer of sweetness along with some banana,  cocoa and the very slightest hint of a vague perfume (roses, heather or juniper) however this does not detract. The taste is simply delicious and far out ranks the nose; it is very sweet and malty along with the cocoa and also dark chocolate, cold unsweetened tea and some more fruit. There are also slight, very slight hints of tobacco and leather that simply improves the taste and gives it a muscular edge. Simply delicious. The finish is mild, is very long and is a mirror image of the taste and leaves one hungrily eyeing the glass for another taste.

This sample has been pushed to the back of all the bottles waiting to be tasted and scored, for some unknown reason but now it has a chance to shine; it is very good.

C$100

Score 87

Visit Duncan Taylor at http://www.duncantaylor.com/