The GlenDronach Ode to the Dark has been on the market since december 2025 and after trying this dram I have to conclude that where The GlenDronach got their timing right, I did not. As I’m trying the Ode to the Dark, while summer is upon us, I find myself in the mood to go carolling. It’s that much of a christmas dram. It’s beautifully rounded and waxy soft on the palate, with beautifully integrated sweet flavours, without becoming too heavy. It’s the perfect dessert for a Christmas dinner if you ask me. But anyway, more about the wonderful world of flavours in the tasting notes. Aside from evoking strong christmas feelings, this The GlenDronach Ode to the Dark is dangerously sippable anytime of the year, so join me as we dive right in!
Tasting Notes: The GlenDronach Ode to the Dark
Stats:
ABV: 50,8% (101,6 proof)
Age: NAS
Distillery: The GlenDronach
Chill-Filtered: Yes
Natural Colour: Yes
Nose:
A beautiful interplay of ripe dark cherries, custard sprinkled with rum raisins, dark molasses and cinnamon chai tea. Notes of treacle, oak shavings and freshly milled barley round the nose of this dram off wonderfully, giving this dram some necessary depth besides the (pleasantly) potent sherry influences.
Palate:
Right of the bat I’m getting (Rinse) apple molasses, a dutch specialty often paired with raisins and I’m finding both on the palate of this dram (and I love it). Other than that there’s also plenty of depth in the form of rooibos tea, warm baked pound cake and dark chocolate covered orange zest.
Finish:
The finish is long, sweet, yet also slightly bitter. A pleasant kind of bitter, that leaves you longing for more. A little bit of citrus is also in the mix here, paired with some apples, molasses and dried cranberries. All-in-all even in the finish you’ll find plenty of flavours to explore.
Food Pairing:
This screams for a bit of luxury, foie gras would be my absolute go to for pairing this The GlenDronach Ode to the Dark. But a good Shropshire blue would work wonders too. Home-made chocolate mousse would be the perfect option for those with a sweet tooth!
Verdict:
I really love what The GlenDronach has produced here. It’s the sweet, but not overly so. And it’s complex, but mellow at the same time. This is just an absolute perfect fit for a cold evening on which you’re looking to unwind for a while. I know I’ll be having this for Christmas next year, but even now I find myself yearning after a second glass. It’s just a very pleasant and calming dram. Perhaps that’s not always what the die hard whisky lovers are looking for. But it’s something that everyone will find undeniably comforting (and sometimes we all need a little bit of that).
