The Glendronach Distillery is launching The Master’s Anthology, a new collection of Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, celebrating nearly 200 years of expertise in sherry cask maturation. Curated by renowned Master Blender Rachel Barrie, this collection comprises three non-age-statement single malts, with each expression composed to celebrate a different aspect of the rich and rewarding Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky; Ode to The Valley, Ode to The Embers, and Ode to The Dark. 

The Master’s Anthology begins with Ode to The Valley, a fruit-forward expression of floral nectar and summer berry notes matured in port and sherry casks. A rare peated expression, Ode to The Embers blends smoky peat with spiced richness from Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks. The richest expression, Ode to The Dark, offers notes of layered chocolate, black cherry, and dates, matured in Pedro Ximénez casks.

Drawing upon three decades of skill and dedication, the releases explore the aromatic depth and character of The Glendronach's signature sherry cask whisky, culminating in some of the richest, darkest expressions ever crafted from the historic Boynsmill House. 

Ode to The Valley

Inspired by the Valley of Forgue, this expression captures the abundance of the Scottish Highlands. Matured in ruby port and sherry casks, it offers sweet, fruit-forward notes.

Official Tasting Notes

• Colour: Burnished copper

• Nose: Late summer berries, chocolate de leche, sweet demerara, and apricot glaze.

• Taste: Blackberry and roasted apple crumble, freshly baked gingerbread, and sweet damson plum.

• Bottling: 46.2% ABV, £67.00, natural cask-imparted color.

Ode to The Embers

A homage to traditional methods, this peated malt  celebrates the smoky legacy of the Valley of Forgue, enhanced by Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks.

Official Tasting Notes

• Colour: Smouldering amber

• Nose: Cinnamon-spiced toffee, caramelized walnut brittle, and flamed orange on a smoldering fire.

• Taste: Raisin, honeyed walnut, bramble ganache, and smoked chocolate fudge.

• Bottling: 48.4% ABV, £72.00, natural cask-imparted color.

Ode to The Dark

The final expression in the anthology, this rich and intense malt embodies the depth of evening shadows, matured in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.

Official Tasting Notes

• Colour: Black garnet

• Nose: Mocha, black cherry, dark chocolate, créme brûlée, raisin, and ginger.

• Taste: Smooth espresso, crème caramel, black grape, and mint chocolate ganache.

• Bottling: 50.8% ABV, £77.00, natural cask-imparted color.

Rachel Barrie, The Glendronach Master Blender, commented on the new collection "The Master’s Anthology is a tribute to the art of sherry cask maturation, reflecting the exceptional taste and deep character that has become synonymous with The Glendronach over almost 200 years. This collection is a journey into the heart of our distillery, where time-honored traditions and natural influences shape every drop of our whisky.

Each bottling is a new composition where we amplify notes but keep the rich harmony that is our tradition at the heart of the liquid. Ode to the Valley sings of an abundance of ripe fruit, it is the landscape of The Glendronach Distillery in full glory, while Ode to the Embers cloaks warm and rich spice in smoldering wisps of smoke, speaking of the days of old in the Valley of Forgue. Ode to the Dark enrobes velvet chocolate over dark plum and black cherry, caramelized dates, and coffee, to bask The Glendronach in rich splendor. This anthology embodies the essence of The Glendronach and tells a story of our history, our heart, and our dedication.”

The Master’s Anthology launches in the UK and German markets in December 2024, with broader availability anticipated in early 2025.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team