Imperial Distillery: Carron History, A'Glac Charrann and Whisky Guide
Imperial is a lost Speyside distillery whose name survives on bottles even though its buildings have disappeared. Established in Carron in 1897, it endured repeated closures before its final shutdown in 1998. Its surviving whisky now includes official releases under the A'Glac Charrann name.
The replacement distillery at the old site is Dalmunach. It belongs in the story, but it is not simply Imperial with a new sign. This guide separates the historic production, surviving casks and present-day location.
Imperial Distillery at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Location | Carron, near Aberlour, Moray, Speyside |
Founder | Thomas Mackenzie |
Established | 1897 |
Final distillation | 1998 |
Demolished | 2013, according to ScotchWhisky.com's historical timeline |
Successor on the site | Dalmunach, a separate modern distillery |
Surviving official stocks | Chivas Brothers / Pernod Ricard; A'Glac Charrann releases |
Whisky style | Historic Speyside single malt |
Visits | No original Imperial distillery tour |
In this guide
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History of Imperial Distillery
Thomas Mackenzie's Imperial project belonged to the expansion of the 1890s. Its name and the conspicuous crown on the old maltings evoked Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Mackenzie also had interests in Dailuaine and, subsequently, the combined Dailuaine-Talisker business.
Imperial's timing was difficult. It closed in 1899, reopened after the First World War, then spent another long period silent from 1925. Production resumed in the 1950s; later refurbishment and extra stills did not prevent further shutdowns.
Allied Distillers acquired the site in 1989, restarted it in 1991 and stopped production in 1998. The business entered the Chivas Brothers portfolio through Pernod Ricard's acquisition of Allied in 2005. The old buildings were demolished in 2013.
Ownership and the people behind the whisky
The remaining official Imperial whisky is associated with Chivas Brothers and the wider Pernod Ricard group. The current Secret Speyside site explicitly identifies A'Glac Charrann as single malt distilled at Imperial, rather than whisky from another unidentified producer.
Independent bottlings may also exist from casks held outside the owner. The bottler's name, vintage and cask details should be retained rather than collapsing every Imperial into a single generic product.
Production and maturation
Imperial was a malt distillery supplying the Scotch blending trade. Its working life included modernisation and an expansion from two to four pot stills. Those historic installations should not be confused with the equipment now visible at Dalmunach.
Pernod Ricard's account of the replacement describes a purpose-built, eight-still Dalmunach plant, completed in 2014, with an official opening in 2015. It also records the reuse of Imperial red brick and timber from old washbacks in parts of the new building.
That continuity of materials is a link to the past, not continuity of spirit production. A bottle of Imperial must come from the former distillery's stock; Dalmunach spirit belongs to a different production record.
Whisky range and documented bottles
There is no active Imperial core range replenished by new distillation. The official releases below use remaining stocks, and the producer describes their strength as cask strength without displaying a numerical ABV on the checked pages.
A'Glac Charrann 27 Year Old
Bottle detail | A'Glac Charrann 27 Year Old |
|---|---|
Age or vintage | 27 years |
ABV | Cask strength; verify the percentage on the individual bottle |
Casks | American oak barrels |
Type and release | Official Imperial single malt in Secret Speyside; 700 ml; not chill filtered |
Producer summary, nose: orchard fruit, honeyed sweetness and vanilla.
Palate: a richer fruit mix with nutty and citrus accents.
Finish: sweetness followed by mild spice.
A'Glac Charrann 1990 Vintage
Bottle detail | A'Glac Charrann 1990 Vintage |
|---|---|
Age or vintage | 1990 distillation vintage; do not calculate an age without a bottling date |
ABV | Cask strength; numerical ABV not published on the checked page |
Casks | American oak barrels |
Type and release | Official vintage Imperial single malt; 700 ml; not chill filtered |
Producer summary, nose: dark fruit preserves, citrus and fudge.
Palate: tart red fruit with warming baking spices.
Finish: sweet with a gentle spicy close.
Rare releases, awards and historical context
Imperial's scarcity is tied to a finite supply of old casks, not to new production being restricted today. A vintage release and an age-stated release may be different selections even when the branding is similar.
The official range pages are evidence of particular expressions, not a guarantee of stock in every country. No current retail price, auction record, medal or Whisky Clan tasting score is assigned here.
Visitor information
Imperial's original buildings can no longer be visited. The historical cover photograph shows the distillery in 1984, before its final closure and subsequent demolition.
Dalmunach occupies the former location, but do not infer public tour access from the presence of a working distillery. Check current arrangements with that operator and respect private access. Nearby established Speyside visitor destinations are a better starting point for planning.
Other distilleries around Carron and central Speyside
Dalmunach is included to explain the site's successor; the other guides provide wider local context. Check access individually.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Imperial still operating?
No. Imperial's final distillation was in 1998 and the old buildings were demolished in 2013.
Is A'Glac Charrann whisky from Imperial?
Yes. The current Secret Speyside product pages explicitly describe it as Imperial single malt.
Is Dalmunach the same distillery?
No. Dalmunach is a separate modern distillery built on the former Imperial site.
What ABV are the official 27 Year Old and 1990 Vintage?
The producer describes them as cask strength but does not display a numerical percentage on the pages checked. Use the exact bottle label.
Sources and photograph credits
Research and product pages checked on 26 October 2026. Prices and availability are not guaranteed. Tasting descriptions are attributed producer summaries, not independent Whisky Clan reviews.
Anne Burgess, Imperial Distillery, 13 May 1984, via Geograph and Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 2.0. Image content unmodified; display sizing and automatic crops may vary.
About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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