After reading @LeeEvolved glowing review I just had to pull this sample out and crack it open ASAP. I’m a huge fan of GlenDronach (maybe not quite as much as Lee) so it didn’t take much arm twisting at all. This is my first single cask from GD, and I believe the first whisky I’ve ever had that was exclusively matured in a PX sherry cask. Bottled at cask strength of 54.4% ABV, non chill filtered and natural color of a dark red mahogany, almost pure Grade A dark maple syrup kind of color here. The nose is slightly closed off at first, but given a little time you are rewarded with rich, juicy sherry and dark fruits. Raisins, figs, prunes and dates. Very dense and thick chocolate sauce, sweet with a touch of mint. Pipe tobacco, old leather and rich oak. Glazed fruitcake, black cherries, blackberries and dried apricots. Molasses, brown sugar, caramel and toffee, butterscotch and maple. Water brings a bit of brightness to the overall profile with some chocolate oranges, more tobacco, vanilla, ginger, candied pineapple and grapes. The palate...oh it burns so good. A somewhat hot arrival that is tempered by the sweetness of the PX sherry. Luxurious. Lots of oak and, unfortunately, some bitterness to go along with it. Milk and dark chocolate, pepper, tobacco, chocolate cake and fruitcake. A touch of cherry cough syrup but not in a bad way. Water brings the heat down but most of the bitterness remains (though it was never enough to be a deal breaker). Sticky sweet with sherry and chocolate. A full bodied mouthfeel that is thick and oily. It coats your entire mouth in a syrupy dry film, then becomes mouthwatering. The finish is long, sherry, chocolate, cherries, sweet but also some tannins and dry. Good lord this stuff is good. Full flavored, rich and a great mouthfeel. The only drawback (other than the price) is the bitterness. I think it was just too much oak interaction combined with it being cask strength. I think maybe if it was cut to 50% ABV this would have been about perfect. I agree with Lee that it’s not worth the price to buy multiple bottles, but definitely worth doing once just to see what’s out there. A solid 4.75 and a big thanks to Lee for the sample. Cheers