Time flies, and we’ve reached the 5th batch of the very successful product that is the GD Cask Strength. As we’ve seen before there’s indeed quite a bit of variation among batches, each going its own way. I think I tried them all except batch #3. As always, the new expression has been aged in a combination of the Spanish Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso casks, bottled at 55.3% and baring no age statement (NAS) ,non chill filtered and at natural color. After the relatively disappointing ‘peated’ expression , this one has delivered beautifully:
Glendronach Cask Strength Batch 5 , 55.3%, €69,99 
Nose: Very rich, with a lot of golden syrup red apples, and quite some wood which is very nice, I was not expecting that much wood from a relatively young dram as this . fresh sweet doughnut dough, some toffee as well. If you’re looking for some dried fruit you’re mainly going to find white sultanas. A very rich and inviting nose.
Palate: Quite strong on first entry, which is not surprising (Cask Strength, you know), heavy on the wood spices, and the ripe red apples, leather, and oodles of butterscotch (think Werthers’ original sweets), dates, and the odd fig are also present, and despite the high ABV this is highly drinkable and more-ish.
Finish: Butterscotch, pepper, oak and apple peel, sweet and spicy.
Its’s hard to compare this to previous editions, as I have none left, but this is one of the better ones as far as I can remember. It’s got a nice balance of wood, fruit, and spices, with the toffee, and it’s certainly not a sherry bomb if you were looking for one. Well integrated, highly addictive, and the quality is high like we’re used to from sherried Glendronachs. Not a bad price point as well, considering whisky prices nowadays.