So I just spent 40 minutes trying to add Glengoyne 30 year to the site with zero luck....even using their horrible ap. So that review is pending if I can get it added. So why not review 2018 edition of springbank 25? Also...really each year should have a different review. So I'll be honest, I've read that this has vatting with port after bourbon and sherry maturation and I'm reading one place saying this is exclusive ex sherry. The color doesn't scream sherry. So I'm honestly not sure. But it seems I'm seeing more notes that this is 100% ex sherry so I'll assume that's right. Nose - There's a rich oak note to this one, you can tell this spent time in casks and it has imparted a lot of serious oak notes. It however isn't like a bourbon or even some other older scotches, the oak has almost been taken over by springbank funk and the two are playing in a unique sharp and salty way. There are red fruits but without being told sherry, I wouldn't sure of the finishing. This is an assertive, aggressive, and bitter nose. Taste - As one would expect this is a challenging dram and despite a few months open I'm still not to the shoulder on the bottle. Umami, sweet, salty, and fruity notes are all here. A complex and vanilla infused sherry and oak finish. It does have a finish of those "sugar" cookies that Keith, Malted Man Cave always gets. Water actually does tame some of the oak and brings in more sweet vanillas but also brings a touch more sea salt (which isn't bad). These are some very tired and very very used sherry casks and frankly sometimes if you use such casks you better not chill filter and you sure as heck better age it a while. That said the salty and unami springbank malt is working to make this a really challenging dram with the sherry, light as the notes are, somewhat bringing it back towards balance without getting there. This is 100% going to be a highly polarizing and likely disliked springbank 25 for a great many people. I'm rather enjoying this myself and will go with a 4.0, at 800 bucks that's not really acceptable, but the level of complexity all be it, lacking in depth, and the challenges of this one do lead me to appreciate that this was not a cheap to make whisky. Those seeking candy and sweet drams need stay the hell away, look for a port finished version of their 25. This one is for whisky geeks who want something off the beaten path. Given the price, all but the most extreme of springbank fans should avoid.