Imperial Scotch Whisky

Imperial Scotch whisky distillery was established in 1897 by Thomas Mackenzie owner of the Dailuaine distillery on Speyside. This coincided with Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, which was no doubt an influencing factor when naming the distillery. To commemorate the jubilee a gilt crown was placed on the malting kiln roof.

The distillery was mothballed from 1899 until 1919 it briefly re-opened until 1925 when it passed to the new owners DCL

With a change in management to SMD in 1955, there was a complete refit of the equipment and distillation recommenced, at the same time the gilt imperial crown was taken down from the malting kiln due to rust.

The stills where increased from 2 to 4 in 1965. However the distillery was mothballed for the period of 1985 to 1989 when Allied Distillers purchased it. Who, after some work, reopened the distillery in 1991. Only to be mothballed again in 1998.

Pernod Ricard purchased the distillery in 2005.

Imperial Whisky Tasting Notes

Distillery Style

Nose : Sweet barley sugar, honey, vanilla, faintly smokey.

Palate : Soft medium bodied. Sweet, malty, spicy.

Finish : Sweet and complex.