IMPEX COLLECTION 2024
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKIES
SCOTLAND
Why Buy: Imagine standing in a Scottish warehouse, drawing a dram straight from the cask – raw, potent, and bursting with character. That's exactly what these four single cask releases from importer extraordinaire ImpEx offer. Each whisky, carefully extracted from prized hogshead casks, has been bottled at cask strength without chill filtration, preserving every nuance of flavor and texture. But that's just the beginning. These drams come armed with walloping ABVs – ranging from 56.8% to 58.9% – promising an intensity and complexity that will awaken even the most jaded of palates. And can we talk exclusivity? With bottle counts ranging from a mere 250 to 282 for each expression, these four are as rare as they are delicious.
Our Tasting Notes:
* Royal Brackla 12 Year Old (2011): Imagine biting into a crisp apple at a countryside fair. That's the nose – all scrumpy cider and demerara sugar, with a whisper of baking spices. The palate? It's like diving into a freshly baked apple pie, but with a twist. A spark of lemon zest and black pepper keeps things lively, while a subtle nuttiness adds depth. The finish has the staying power of a brilliant sunset.
* Dailuaine 14 Year Old (2009): This one's a tropical vacation in a glass. The nose is a bouquet of coconut, tangerine, and honeysuckle – summer in a bottle. Take a sip, and you're treated to a warm embrace of apricot and tangerine, with a surprising undercurrent of fennel. The finish pivots unexpectedly, with green apple stealing the show. It's a journey that'll have you reaching for another pour before you know it.
* Strathmill 14 Year Old (2009): Here's where things get nostalgic. The nose is pure Americana – think baseball card bubble gum, but elevated with notes of red apple, cinnamon, and sugar plum. On the palate, that gum note persists, but it's joined by fresh barley and delicate rose petals. It's like revisiting a childhood memory, only to find it's grown up right along with you.
* Benrinnes 12 Year Old (2011): This one's for those who like their whisky with a bit of intrigue. Cherries and rosemary dominate the nose – an unlikely but captivating duo. The palate follows through on that promise, adding layers of candle wax and red fruits. It's chewy, complex, and utterly engaging. Just when you think you've got it figured out, the finish throws a curveball with a burst of blood orange. It's a dram that keeps you on your toes.
The Story: ImpEx Beverages isn't just another importer – best to think of them as an obsessive and highly knowledgeable collection of whisky treasure hunters. Founded by Sam Filmus, a man whose passion for spirits is matched only by his discerning palate, ImpEx has made a name for itself by bringing some of the most intriguing and rare whiskies to American shores. This collection showcases their talent for sniffing out the exceptional. Each distillery represented here has its own rich history, but in ImpEx's hands, they shine in new and unexpected ways. Take Royal Brackla, for instance. Known as 'The King's Own Whisky' (it was the first to receive a royal warrant), it's a Highlander that typically flies under the radar. But this release? It's Royal Brackla stepping into the spotlight, showing why it earned that royal approval in the first place. Dailuaine and Strathmill might not be household names, but among whisky cognoscenti, they're known as hidden gems. Both distilleries primarily produce for blends, which makes these single cask releases all the more special. They're like seeing the supporting actor finally land the leading role – and absolutely nail it. And then there's Benrinnes. This Speyside distillery is known for its robust, slightly meaty character – a result of its unique partial triple distillation process. In this collection, we see Benrinnes in its purest form, a true expression of this distillery's distinctive style.
The Specs: All four whiskies in this collection are the product of single hogshead casks. Why does this matter? Hogsheads, typically holding around 250 liters, offer an ideal wood-to-whisky ratio for maturation. They allow for consistent interaction between the spirit and the wood, resulting in whiskies that are beautifully balanced between cask influence and distillery character.
ABV: Royal Brackla 12 Year Old, 58% (116 proof); Dailuaine 14 Year Old, 56.8% (113.6 proof); Strathmill 14 Year Old, 57.5% (115 proof); Benrinnes 12 Year Old, 58.9% (117.8 proof).
Fun Fact: The name “hogshead,” in the context of whisky production, has a peculiar origin. It's believed to come from a 15th-century English corruption of the Dutch word “oxhooft” or German “oxhoft” – which referred to a cask size but literally translated to “ox head." Why? Some believe that it's because the cask might have resembled a massive ox's head in shape and size.
Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured – your whiskies will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Winter 2024 (Dec. 20, 2024 - Mar. 21, 2025). With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer only valid in AZ, CA, FL, NV, & TX. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.