Quirky Little Duos, today Dalmunach vs. Imperial


January 8, 2025

We are experiencing a slight delay with our third Longmorn session, but we will publish it in a few days. In the meantime...

Quirky Little Duos: finally, an innovation on Whiskyfun!

Quirky

WF's Quirky Little Duos,
today Dalmunach vs. Imperial

The kind of duet that’s rather loosely defined—purely for fun and a bit of glory. Today, for instance, we’ll be comparing a Dalmunach, which replaced the Imperial Distillery in Carron after its demolition by Pernod Ricard, with a malt still produced at the latter. Don’t worry, we’re not going to look for any so-called “terroir” effect linked to the distilleries’ locations—especially since our Imperial is naturally quite a few years old (the distillery closed in 1998 and was demolished in 2013), whereas the new Dalmunach only began to make a name for itself in 2014. At least, that’s, I believe, the official line—but I’ve already tasted some from 2013, ahem.
It’s also worth noting that the owners reused a good number of materials from Imperial during the construction of Dalmunach.

Dalmunach 7 yo 2016/2024 (58.4%, Dràm Mor, 1st fill Buffalo Trace barrel, cask #670, 254 bottles)

Already a fine age and a bourbon cask, which should allow us to form a clearer impression of Dalmunach’s malt. Colour: white wine. Nose: one of the most floral malts I’ve sampled in recent months, with plenty of wisteria and honeysuckle, followed by simple dandelions, before the profile shifts towards yellow fruits and fresh brioche, all wrapped in vanilla custard. With water: cassata and custard in generous proportions, with hints of buttery pears and chardonnay. Mouth (neat): powerful and rich in fruits and charred oak, with fudge everywhere and butterscotch piled on top, then IPA (very citrusy hops) and very fresh honey. Quite a bit of cinnamon from the cask. With water: well, this is very good indeed, rather classic overall but vibrant and refreshing. Lovely notes of verbena and genepy. Finish: long, more peppery, with zest, pink pepper, and custard. The aftertaste is more peppery. Comments: I think the very early Dalmunachs were too young and somewhat dull, but already last year we tasted a stunning Watt Whisky that was highly impressive.
SGP:651 - 85 points.

Imperial 33 yo 1990/2024 (52.7%, Gordon & MacPhail, The Recollection Series #3, refill American oak hogshead, cask #9825, 63 bottles)

A very small release in G&M’s series honouring closed distilleries. Until fairly recently, G&M were still offering some lovely vintage Imperials under their ‘distillery labels’. Beware, this could be a real fruit bomb… Colour: dark gold. Nose: it’s the time spent in cask that speaks first, with pine buds and wood varnish swiftly followed by fresh almonds and kirsch. Then come essential oils (thyme, mint, rosemary) and exotic fruits, dominated by very ripe mangoes, almost ‘petrol-like’ if you see what I mean. In any case, this is superb. With water: as often with G&M, the whisky becomes quite opaque after water is added, indicating fairly minimal filtration. That said, the profile changes little, remaining magnificent, resinous, and fruity, with a slightly oriental touch (loukoumi, mint tea, and pine nuts). Mouth (neat): a perfect mirror of the nose, with prominent woodiness reminiscent of pine and bitter almonds, yet very well integrated with stewed fruits and mentholated and aniseed spices. Very curious to see what water does on the palate. With water: once again, not much change, though citrus notes and Sichuan pepper make an appearance alongside the rest. Finish: fairly long and even fruitier, whereas fruity notes often fade in the finish, I mean elsewhere. Blood oranges, hints of cedar and tobacco, then a return of pine buds. Comments: a magnificent dialogue with the cask. A shame there were only 63 bottles—if only they had been double-magnums!
SGP:661 - 92 points.

I promise you can sense a sort of kinship between the Dalmunach and the Imperial, especially around the fruity notes. Don’t they say the apple never falls far from the tree? (You’re exhausting, S.)

Check the index of all Dalmunach and Imperial we've tastedr