Imperial closed its doors forever in 1998 and was later demolished, making casks from this distillery increasingly rare. Distilled in 1997, this whisky has spent over two decades maturing – but its dignified age is balanced by a collection of classic sweetshop flavours. Only 169 bottles produced from a single barrel.

Nose: At first, vanilla pods toasting in a pan with brown sugar. Given a little time, there are liquorice allsorts, melting candle wax, nectarine skins and orange barley water.

Palate: Light and elegant – the flavours almost skip across your tongue. Astringent citrus fruit to the fore, followed by a parade of green florals, aniseed balls, and pink wafers trailing towards the end.

Finish: The waxy character remains, carrying with it a hint of chewy sweets and Chinese five spice.