There is a particular kind of cold that settles over Sydney in July, the kind that makes you crave something rich, something warming, something with a story behind it. This winter, The Glendronach is answering that craving in the most unexpected way possible. To mark 200 years of sherried whisky mastery, the iconic Highland distillery is transporting a piece of Scotland itself to Ace Hotel Sydney, and honestly, it might be the most immersive thing to hit our whisky scene all year.
It’s called The Glendronach Presents: An Ode to The Highlands, and it’s not your average tasting event. Think part hidden whisky bar, part sensory foraging trail, running for one weekend only from Friday 24 July to Sunday 26 July. If you have ever wanted to understand what actually goes into a dram beyond what’s written on the label, this is your chance to walk straight into the story.
What makes this experience so special is the way it unfolds. Rather than simply pouring you a glass and explaining tasting notes, the trail takes you through four immersive chapters inspired by The Glendronach’s Masters Anthology Collection, each one built to explore whisky through a different sense. Flavour, aroma, sound and texture all come together to tell the 200 year history of the distillery in a way you can actually feel.
Every step of the journey is paired with food and cocktails created in collaboration with Ace Hotel Sydney’s Culinary Director Isobel Whelan-Little, so you are not just sipping whisky, you are tasting a fully considered menu built to bring out its character.
The night begins in Highlands House bar, where you’re welcomed with a cocktail featuring The Glendronach’s signature 12 Year Old Scotch. It’s the kind of first sip that tells you to slow down, because what’s coming next deserves your full attention.
From there, the trail truly begins. At Ode to the Valley, you’re invited to forage through moss, foliage and natural textures to uncover your first dram, paired with a palate cleanser and wrapped in a Highland inspired soundscape. It’s a beautiful bit of theatre, the kind that makes you forget you’re in the middle of Sydney at all.
Next comes Ode to the Embers, where Isobel Whelan-Little’s pairing really shines. Smoked jersey curd, charred beetroot, scorched bonito, ponzu, daikon, ginger and citrus come together in a dish designed to draw out the warmth, richness and depth of the whisky. It’s bold, it’s clever, and it’s the kind of pairing you’ll be talking about long after the weekend ends.
Then the lights dim for Ode to the Dark, where sight gives way to scent. A bespoke room fragrance created by Scottish scent label Jorum Studio fills the space, guiding you through a nosing experience that reveals the aromas at the heart of The Glendronach. One last forage through the landscape uncovers a hidden whisky infused chocolate, a sweet, unexpected finish to the sensory journey.
The trail eventually loops back to where it began, but the night doesn’t have to end there. Highlands House stays open for more tastings, more cocktails and a menu of elevated bar snacks from the Ace Hotel team. Alongside The Glendronach’s celebrated single malts, you can order serves like the Spanish Highball and Bramble Sour, perfect for settling in and making a proper night of it.
The Woman Behind the Whisky. Dr Rachel Barrie, Master Blender of The Glendronach, is travelling to Australia for the first time in three years for this launch, and her words capture exactly why this event feels different from a typical tasting.
“Celebrating 200 years is an extraordinary milestone for The Glendronach. For generations, our whisky has been shaped not only by craftsmanship, but by the landscape, seasons and natural character of the Scottish Highlands. An Ode to The Highlands brings those influences to life beyond the glass, inviting guests to experience our story through flavour, aroma and atmosphere in a way that’s never been experienced before.”
That sense of place is really what this whole experience is built around. It’s not just about drinking whisky, it’s about understanding where it comes from, the landscape that shaped it and the two centuries of craft behind every drop.
If you love whisky, or even if you just love a good story told well, this is worth carving out an evening for. It’s rare to find an experience that treats whisky as something to explore with your whole body rather than just your palate, and rarer still to find one landing in Sydney for free.
The Glendronach Presents: An Ode to The Highlands runs at Ace Hotel Sydney from Friday 24 July to Sunday 26 July, before heading to Melbourne next month with further details to come.
Tickets are complimentary and include the guided whisky foraging experience, welcome cocktail, whisky tastings and food pairings, with additional whisky serves, cocktails and snacks available to purchase at Highlands House. Book your spot now here before the weekend sells out.
The Glendronach presents: An Ode to the Highlands Whisky Tasting
24 – 26 July 2026
Book Tickets: click here
Ace Hotel Sydney
47-53 Wentworth Avenue
Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
