New Release: Imperial 1995-2015 19 Year Old Signatory Vintage for The Whisky Hoop #50163

It had not only the expected aroma but also a slightly different charm. Imperial IMPERIAL 1995-2015 19yo SIGNATORY VINTAGE for THE WHISKY HOOP #50163 53.0% One of 257 bottles, Hogshead The aroma is elegant and soft with a sense of viscosity: apricot jam, orange, coconut, hazelnut liqueur, vanilla, honey, oak, a well-rounded malty note, cream-based oils, faint peat, rich. Upon drinking, it starts with a smooth mouthfeel despite the high ABV and gradually becomes spicy, with a viscous texture. The sweetness has depth from apricot jam, pineapple, and the richness of jam and honey. A pleasant oakiness and a subtle tannin to tighten the flavor, slightly oily with a tar-like note from the depths. The finish is long and satisfying. [Good/Very Good] This new bottler, 'THE WHISKY HOOP,' was established by individuals with whom I have a close relationship. They bottled the Signatory Imperial 1995, aged for 19 years. THE WHISKY HOOP is a members-only bottler, where the cask selection was done by bartenders with excellent knowledge from both East and West. The aroma has a lavishness reminiscent of bourbon hogsheads, with notes of vanilla, coconut, honey, and a well-balanced malty character and oak nuances that suggest an appropriate bottling time. It also has a creaminess, with a viscous atmosphere detectable even in the aroma stage, and the sweetness of hazelnut liqueur was a pleasant surprise. When tasted, it had the expected viscous texture and the rich sweetness of apricot jam and honey was very good. The oaky depth enhanced the flavor, creating a rich taste, but the unexpectedly strong tarry note in the finish was intriguing. When I think of Imperial 1995, I imagine a rich apricot character, tropical fruits like pineapple, and a slightly viscous malt texture. However, this Hoop bottling delivers the expected flavor while adding complexity through tarry and oaky notes. There were nuances like apricot jam and strong viscosity that remind me of delicious Clydesdales, which aligns with my personal preferences. This bottle and the later-released Balminic 1988 were THE WHISKY HOOP's first releases. While neither is extreme, both bottles exceeded expectations with their charm and value for money, clearly demonstrating the bottler's direction. I'm looking forward to their future releases.