I used the drops before I raced 😉 . When I set up riders, they are normally surprised that the drops can be so comfortable. Its all about reach and drop (or stack if you like). I see too many riders with arms outstretched when on the hoods, no bend in their elbows and no prospect of using the drops come a headwind or technical descent. I also think that braking power and modulation are compromised from the hoods and hence the love of disk brakes 😉
And renton, I’d wait till you get back and try a bike for size. A CX bike might be what you want but all bikes have compromises. This is as true on road as it is off road.