Taster

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.

Score: 7.8

Taster

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.

Score: 6.8