The Master’s Anthology is a new part of the core range from The Glendronach. Unveiled in December 2024 these three NAS expressions are matured in sherry casks with different nuances. This trio now sits alongside its redesigned age-statement core range.
Ode to the Valley uses sherry casks with Ruby Port casks. Ode to the Embers is a peated expression matured in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez casks. The last one is Ode to the Dark, which relies on Pedro Ximénez casks. After their launch in the UK and Germany, they have recently entered other markets as well.
Glendronach ‘Ode to the Valley’ (46,2%, OB ‘The Master’s Anthology’ 2024, sherry + Port casks)
Nose: more Port than sherry, which shows as a mustiness. Rather thin and tart fruity notes, such as red plums, cranberries and raisins, along with orange peels. Underneath it shows an alcoholic note and young wood. Then muesli, a certain sour earthy note and roselle tea.
Mouth: still high on alcohol, with hints of raspberry eau-de-vie and plum wine, more roselle and cranberry juice. Some darker blackberry underneath, as well as some cold coffee, cocoa and a slightly bloated vegetal note. Then hints of ginger and plain malty notes too.
Finish: quite short, with more sour berries, wood spice and hints of cocoa.
A very basic malt that is lacking weight and feels a bit diluted, allowing the sourness and alcohol to shine through. Too superficial and very fitting for a series that wants to pay tribute to sherry casks. Available from The Whisky Exchange or Royal Mile Whiskies for instance.
Glendronach ‘Ode to the Embers’ (48,4%, OB ‘The Master’s Anthology’ 2024, sherry casks)
Nose: smoke immediately helps to add depth. Toasted bread and smouldering wood logs, along with cinnamon and hints of smoked meat. Also caramelized nuts, dried goji berries and milk chocolate. In the background there’s a light vegetal note and a faint hint of rubber boots.
Mouth: goes in different directions, without proper integration. Black pepper, liquorice and milk chocolate again, but also more rubber and flashes of tart rhubarb. The sharpness of smouldering herbs and beech wood smoke too. Overall it feels quite young, with a slightly astringency and still the richness I’d expect.
Finish: not long, on liquorice, echoes of zesty bitterness and salted nuts.
Better than the first one, in my opinion, but only because the peat smoke helps to add weight and to cover up some of the shortcomings. Such as the lack of time to mature. Available from Master of Malt or Whiskysite.nl among others. Score: 82/100
Glendronach ‘Ode to the Dark’ (50,8%, OB ‘The Master’s Anthology’ 2024, Pedro Ximénez sherry casks)
Nose: ah yes, richness has arrived and it’s actually pretty balanced. Dried apricots, figs and raisins, some blood orange as well. This is mixed with chocolate, blackberry jam and a hint of mocha ice cream. Light leathery notes and a whiff of polished oak. Pleasantly rich and aromatic, and here the sourness and spirity edge actually lifts it beyond the obvious sweetness.
Mouth: the sweet (and rather bloated) PX side is obvious now, although there’s still a minty edge and some polished wood that tried to keep things in check. Then a lot of tobacco, walnuts and black pepper, with a hint of Seville oranges and bitter chocolate. Some vegetal notes too.
Finish: medium length, still showing a good balance between liqueur-like fruits and savoury elements. Drying cocoa, dates and wood spice.
The best of the three sherry tributes. In a way it is a bit contradictory that PX is getting a medal for being the best sherry, but I guess it makes sense in today’s whisky scene. None of these are must-have whiskies in my opinion, but from this series Ode to the Dark is the one to try. Now let’s hope they get consistency accross different batches. Available from The Whisky Exchange for instance. Score: 85/100