Description
Glendronach Ode to the Valley 700ml is a Highland single malt from The GlenDronach distillery in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, matured in a combination of sherry casks and ruby port casks from Portugal’s Douro Valley. It is part of the Master’s Anthology series created by master blender Rachel Barrie, carries no age statement and is bottled at 46.2% ABV without chill filtration.
Buy Glendronach Ode to the Valley Online in NZ
The Master’s Anthology is a trio of non-age-statement whiskies, each with sherry casks in the recipe and each taking a different direction. Barrie describes the series as a tribute to sherry cask maturation. Ode to the Valley is the one meant to capture the landscape around the distillery, while its siblings, Ode to the Embers and Ode to the Dark, are bottled at higher strengths.
That landscape is the Valley of Forgue, where The GlenDronach has been distilling since 1826. The distillery is best known for rich whiskies matured in Spanish sherry casks, and the ruby port casks used here add a red fruit layer on top of that familiar house style.
Pour it neat in a tulip glass and let it rest for a few minutes, then try a drop of water to soften the spice and lift the fruit. It pairs well with dark chocolate, roast duck, aged cheeses or a spiced fruit cake.
- Highland single malt from The GlenDronach, Aberdeenshire
- Matured in sherry and ruby port casks
- Bottled at 46.2% ABV, non-chill filtered
Sherry leads on the nose, with leather, orange peel and chai-like spice. The palate brings bright citrus with a savoury edge and a little red fruit from the port casks, and the finish carries a hint of chocolate.
A good introduction to The GlenDronach’s sherry-led style, and a considered gift for anyone who enjoys rich single malts.
