Signatory Vintage 1995 Imperial 30 Year Old Single Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Signatory Vintage 1995 Imperial 30 Year Old Single Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky is a remarkably rare Speyside release from the long-closed Imperial Distillery, distilled on 18 September 1995 and bottled on 10 October 2025 after three decades of maturation. Selected for Signatory Vintage’s prestigious Symington’s Choice range within the Cask Strength Collection, this whisky was drawn from a single hogshead, Cask #50274, and bottled at a natural cask strength of 53.0% ABV. With an exceptionally small outturn of just 128 bottles worldwide, this is a beautifully mature example of Imperial, showcasing the distillery’s elegant fruit character alongside waxy texture, honeyed malt, vanilla and polished oak. A highly limited release from a lost Speyside distillery, it offers both rarity and genuine old-school character.

Distillery: Imperial Distillery
Bottler: Signatory Vintage
Series: Symington’s Choice / Cask Strength Collection
Vintage: 1995
Age: 30 Years Old
ABV: 53.0%
Cask Type: Hogshead
Cask Number: 50274
Outturn: 128 Bottles

Founded in 1988, Signatory Vintage has become one of Scotland’s most respected independent bottlers, known for selecting distinctive single casks and bottling them with minimal intervention. Symington’s Choice highlights particularly special casks associated with founder Andrew Symington, often focusing on mature and increasingly rare stocks. Imperial Distillery was founded in 1897 and endured a turbulent operational history, with several periods of closure before finally falling silent in 1998. The distillery buildings were later demolished, and Dalmunach Distillery was constructed on the site. As a result, mature Imperial is becoming increasingly scarce. This 1995 single hogshead offers a rare opportunity to experience the distillery’s classic style at significant age, combining ripe fruit, waxy richness and old oak while retaining excellent freshness and structure.

Tasting Notes:

The aroma opens with beeswax, apricot jam and honeyed malt, followed by soft vanilla, dried flowers and polished oak. Gentle spice gradually develops in the background, while ripe tropical fruit and orchard fruit bring brightness to the mature profile. The palate is rich and beautifully textured, with stone fruits, honey and malt biscuit joined by soft citrus and creamy vanilla. A distinctive waxy character runs through the whisky, giving it impressive weight and depth, while mature oak adds structure without overwhelming the fruit. The finish is long and warming, with lingering apricot, honeyed cereal and delicate herbal notes gradually fading into soft oak and restrained spice.