The Last Drop has introduced its inaugural Signature Blend, The Last Drop 50 Year Old Signature Blended Scotch Whisky. Created by Master Blender Colin J.P. Scott, the release marks the brand’s first foray into the creation – as well as curation – of extraordinary aged spirits.
Presenting flavors from all corners of Scotland, this whisky’s journey to maturity began as new distillates of single malts and grains that were filled into casks more than 50 years ago. Over time, malt and grain whiskies have been selected and special blends created to be secured in bourbon and sherry oak casks for further maturation. Final selections were made from these aged casks of malts, grains and aged blends, which were blended together to create this blend.
Each bottle is individually numbered and bears Scott’s physical signature. As with all Last Drop releases, each comes packaged in a signature red leather case with a miniature for private enjoyment, certificate of bottling and pocket-sized tasting book.
“For centuries, Scotland’s finest malt and grain distilleries have been distilling unique spirits and laying them in casks for the future,” says Colin Scott, Master Blender for The Last Drop. “Yet in my half-century career, this is only my second 50-year-old blend, as access to these exceptional liquids is rare. I’m immensely proud of the complexity of this whisky as well as its significance as my inaugural release as The Last Drop’s master blender and our first Signature Blend.”
Since its inception, The Last Drop’s philosophy has been to source rare casks, evaluate the spirit and lay down only the finest casks that are both exceptional and suitable for long maturation. By delving into The Last Drop’s inventory to assess the treasures lying within the casks, and using his vast experience, Scott has created an unparalleled blend of malt and grain Scotch whiskies, all of which have aged for at least 50 years.
The 22nd release, The Last Drop 50 Year Old Signature Blended Scotch Whisky marks the brand’s evolution from rare spirit hunting into creation as the first debut from The Signature Blend Series. Future expressions will be created in partnership with “The Assembly,” The Last Drop’s newly formed coalition of experts drawn from across the spirits industry, each a renowned world-leader in their own category. These personal, limited-edition creations will sit alongside traditional releases of Last Drop bottlings.
“Our goal has always been to find casks that have been forgotten or perhaps just contained too little liquid to be considered worthy of bottling,” says Rebecca Jago, Managing Director for The Last Drop. “These bottles are like museum pieces, but something you can taste, savor and enjoy. Now, with the help of our new master blender and Assembly members, we are progressing from curation to creation by using some of the barrels we have found to create very old – but also completely new – spirits.”
Joining Scott in The Last Drop’s evolution are five additional founding members of The Assembly including Drew Mayville, Master Blender and Director of Quality, Sazerac Company, Richard Seale, Master Distiller and Blender, Foursquare Rum, Louise McGuane, Owner and Bonder, JJ Corry Irish Whiskey, Michael D’Souza, Master Distiller and Blender, Paul John Indian Whisky and Denis Lahouratate, Cellar Master, Domaine de Sazerac, Cognac.
Limited to 500 bottles worldwide, The Last Drop 50 Year Old Signature Blended Scotch Whisky (47.8% Abv) is available in the United States for $4,250 via lastdropdistillers.com and spirits retailers.
