GlenDronach Cask Strength Batch 5

Glendronach is truly exceptional, especially when the former master blender was involved. It's my absolute favorite distillery; everything they produce is remarkable. Following the 18 and 21-year-old expressions, the batch strength versions are next in line. This review covers Batch 5, aged in Px and Oloroso Sherry casks, bottled at 55.3% ABV, and displaying a lovely copper hue. The nose is, as expected, perfect. It presents notes of school glue, Christmas cake, dark chocolate, and Milo chocolate powder. Cocoa and condensed milk are also present. The apricot note is the cleanest and most precise I've ever encountered. Upon the first taste, flavors of dates, chocolate, and raisins emerge, along with red fruits, macadamia nuts, and cranberry. Hints of subtle sugar and molasses are there too. Truly excellent. The palate is divine. It has a velvety body with dates and intense, astringent dark fruits like blackberries and raspberries. A second taste reveals more red fruits, specifically cranberries. It's very wine-like. Again, that subtle sugar and molasses note appears. This is sophisticated. The finish wasn't the absolute best among the Glendronach batch strength releases, but it still scores highly. It's pleasantly oaked and woody, leaving the mouth feeling dry with notes of almonds. A second taste brought out cigar and tobacco notes with a hint of orange citrus and bitter dark chocolate. Overall, this is a magnificent dram. However, I believe I've had superior Glendronach expressions. The perfect nose and palate aren't matched by the finish, which is very good but slightly too oaked. This impacts the score for both the finish and the overall balance. A truly amazing dram; long live Glendronach! My score is 97 out of 100.