The Ballintomb Burn rises in the Mannoch Hills and flows a few miles to the site of the former Imperial Distillery near the Speyside village of Aberlour. Founded in 1897 by Thomas Mackenzie and designed by the famous distillery architect Charles Doig, Imperial was named in honour of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrated that same year.
Although located in the heart of Moray’s whisky region, the distillery stood out architecturally with buildings constructed from Aberdeen red brick and supported by an iron framework to help reduce the risk of fire.
Imperial experienced a turbulent history, closing shortly after opening due to the Pattison whisky crash. It reopened in 1919 under Distillers Company Limited but closed again in 1925, remaining silent until Scottish Malt Distillers revived it in 1955. After modernisation and expansion during the 1960s, the distillery continued production until industry downturns led to further closures.
Following a brief revival in the early 1990s under Allied Distillers, Imperial was finally mothballed in 1998. Today it survives only through a small number of official and independent bottlings, which have become increasingly sought after by collectors.
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Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep golden amber
Nose: Aromas of honey, dried apricot, vanilla, and polished oak
Palate: Rich and elegant with flavours of orchard fruit, caramel, toasted nuts, and gentle spice
Finish: Long and refined with lingering sweetness and soft oak spice.
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