Berry's Own Selection Imperial 1976

Tasted in Whisky Magazine Issue 59 by Martine Nouet and Dave Broom.

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Tasting Notes

Martine Nouet Nose Malty. Cereals. Dry hay. Vanilla creeps in. Belgian waffle. Roasted pinenuts. Lemon pie. Palate Sweet and syrupy. Malt extract, honey. Building up into a spicy bouquet. Finish Dry, spicy. A slight astringency. Comment A classic malty malt. Good balance, interesting dry spiciness. Well structured, hexagonal like Bach music. For those who don’t like the unexpected. I don’t mean boring though.

Dave Broom Nose Fermenting grass/compost. A thick sweetness, violet and some sulphur. Becomes slightly grubby. Palate Strangely flat and that mustiness comes through. There’s a light fragrant floral quality trying to break free. Finish Musty. Comment A real shame. Imperial’s rather fine spirit has always been bedevilled by poor casks.