I was recently traveling for work and decided to browse the wares at a liquor store unfamiliar to me and decided to purchase a bottle. I will say as not a mega-fan of sherry/overly sweet whisky but I do enjoy a reasonably priced Glenfarclas. I was curious to see what this cask strength sweet whisky would have to offer. The nose is dark chocolate and sherry, nothing too complex here. The palate is a different experience all together. The best way I can describe it is imagine yourself in the ring with a boxer who is known for their left jab. The bell rings and you take the jab but you were not expecting the right hook following it. This whisky is the right hook of the Glenfarclas line. I don’t know if I just did not prepare myself for the cask strength experience here knowing how friendly Glenfarclas usually is or it really does pack that big of a punch (I would guess the former). Knowing the right hook was coming on the second sip I experienced sherry, chocolate, dried raisons and almonds with a spicy burn from the high abv. While this whisky truly was an experience I am not sure a cask strength Speyside is what I would spend my money on for a whisky I want to put up a fight. I think I would rather sip Aberlour’s A’Bunadh as it is a bit cheaper and in my opinion, preferable. Am I glad I picked it up? Yes. Do I now know to duck after the left jab? Yup. 3.75/5.