The Glendronach Unveils ‘Valley of the Brambles’: A Whisky-Inspired Musical Journey

What if tasting whisky could be as immersive as listening to music? The Glendronach has teamed up with Emmy-nominated composer Rob Lewis to do just that, releasing Valley of the Brambles, a track designed to heighten the sensory experience of enjoying a dram of The Glendronach Aged 12 Years.

Created on-site at the Aberdeenshire distillery, Lewis captured sounds from the whisky-making process—from the dunnage warehouse and mash tuns to the saxophone stills—layering them alongside birdsong and lush cello textures. The result is a piece that evolves alongside the whisky, mirroring its “sherry crescendo” of flavours, from mellow depth to a vibrant, expressive finish. A subtle bolero rhythm nods to the Spanish sherry casks that give the whisky its signature character, while ambient textures evoke the Scottish Highlands where the liquid was born.

Professor Charles Spence, gastrophysicist at Oxford University, calls it “sonic seasoning in its most innovative form,” designed to complement and even enhance taste. Master Blender Dr Rachel Barrie adds, “The track communicates the sense of place, the casks, and the inherent musicality of our liquid—making it the perfect soundtrack to a dram.”

Having tried the experience ourselves, sipping The Glendronach while listening to Valley of the Brambles transforms the dram. The rich sherry notes bloom in tandem with the cello and ambient textures, while subtle percussive echoes from the distillery give each sip a sense of place and story. It’s a rare, almost synaesthetic moment where taste and sound truly converge.

Valley of the Brambles is available on Spotify, and a video documenting the creation process can be found on YouTube. With this project, The Glendronach invites whisky lovers to experience their liquid not just on the palate, but with ears wide open—blurring the line between taste and sound.