The Imperial distillery was located just next to Aberlour, in the Speyside region. It was founded by Thomas Mackenzie in 1897, and named in honor of the Royal House. Charles Doig was the architect of the distillery.
In 1898, just 18 months after the distillery opened, it was closed due to the Pattison Crisis. In 1919, the distillery reopened. It was bought by Distillers Company Limited, and owned through a dual partnership of Dewars and Johnnie Walker.
By 1925, DCL had a total control over the management. But it closed its doors again twice, in the 1920s and in 1985. In 1998, the distillery was mothballed and in 2013 Pernod Ricard built the Dalmunach Distillery on its site.
Six large washbacks of 56,500 liter capacity were installed on site. Two 18,500 liter wash stills and two 20,500 liter spirit stills were installed. The unpeated barley was floor malted, until a Saladin's Box was introduced in 1965.