Glendronach 1990 28 year Pedro Ximenez Puncheon Single Cask #7905

I just received news that I've earned the Rookie of the Year award from a certain platform, a new category recognizing new members with the most reviews in a year. This calls for a celebration, so I'm opening a sample of Glendronach 28yo, single Barrel, Px Puncheon from 1990, Cask #7905, Bottle 6 of 660. I truly think Glendronach is possibly Scotland's finest distillery, and their single cask releases are exceptional. I've never had an older Glendronach; I once bottled a 26yo myself during a distillery visit, but 28yo is the oldest from them I've encountered. Bottled at 51.7% ABV, with a chestnut color. On the nose, it resembles Parliament 21yo more than Allardice 18yo. It begins very wine-like, with dried and dehydrated fruits, similar to raisins. Then, one of the most incredible red fruit aromas I've experienced in a whisky emerges, truly wonderful. Notes of chocolate and hazelnut are present. It gives a dusty impression, like sawdust surrounding every scent. Chocolate butter, almonds, and sweet plums follow. After an initial taste, the dried fruitiness is dominant, but it's strong on the nose; this is not a sweet, delicate drink. Some lemon citrus appears unexpectedly, which was very pleasing. It feels predominantly nutty and woody. The first taste is flawless. What an amazing red fruit flavor, like strawberries, but it rapidly transforms into an intense chilli explosion. The spiciness is apparent from the start, a strong, pleasant heat. Notes of berries and tannins are present. It's very astringent. Very spicy. Oak spice, pepper, and chilli. The finish seemed excessively oaked. Extremely dry, woody, like sawdust. There's a subtle ginger note; it's incredibly dry, akin to licking paper. A second taste revealed a chocolate and hazelnut finish, yet still very spicy and oaky. Powerful. In conclusion, I must admit I am unequivocally a devoted admirer of Glendronach, and while I acknowledge this is a superb whisky, it's far from the best Glendronach I've ever tasted. It felt excessively oaked. Too much wood. If you've followed my reviews, you know I rarely use descriptors like "oaky" or "woody" unless there's a significant excess. That said, my rating for it is a fair 89 out of 100.

Excellent stuff. Smells like: Raisins, Figs, Dates, Cherries, Dark Chocolate, Treacle, Cinnamon, Hazelnuts, Nutmeg, Cloves, Licorice, Sultanas, Bananas, Strawberries, Raspberry Jam, Coffee, Oranges, Lavender, Vanilla Taste: Raisins, Dark Chocolate, Toffee, Red Apples, Prunes, Dates, Coffee, Oranges, Figs, Nutella, Walnuts, Licorice, Cloves, Pepper, Nutmeg Aftertaste: Raisins, Plums, Cherries, Dark Chocolate, Oranges, Mulled Wine, Cranberries, Red Apples, Blackberries, Toffee

Outstanding! Truly my favorite 'dronach to date. If I manage to get this bottle (sampling now), it's a definite purchase and keep. Incredible stuff.