Imperial 17 Year Old 1995 Lord of the Drams

The first Lord of the Drams bottling, a 14 Year Old Macduff from 1997, I found to be somewhat lacking, truth be told. Only with a good dollop of water did it become palatable. While I know that Stijn, the man behind LOTD, is very knowledgable about whisky. So it must have been me. His second baby is this Imperial from 1995, named Idunn after the Norse goddess of eternal youth. Come on, Idunn, make me happy!

The nose is very promising. Creamy with loads of orange fruit (mandarin and oranges), but also acacia honey and a slice of peach. Pineapple cubes. A bit of banana. Flints. Twig of mint. Winegums. Soft on the spice front. This is a good start!

On the palate, it is a lot spicier and more powerful. The fruit return, peach and oranges mostly, zest included, but also quite some kinine. A truckload of peppers and some nutmeg. Touch of woodsmoke. Complex.

The finish is warming and medium long. I cannot get the image of green apples out of my mind’s eye. Where did that come from?

This is a peppery, mildly smoky and somewhat drying Imperial, that does not disappoint. Good cask selection, Stijn. Bring on number three!

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