If you didn’t already know, The Last Drop, is one of the world’s most exclusive spirits companies. The founders of TLD distillers have created some of the world’s most well-known and best-loved spirits brands. However, seven years ago, rather than retiring, they decided to turn their attention to something a little different and created one last unique brand. Their goal was simple but of course not easy: to find, and bottle, the world’s finest, rarest and most exclusive spirits. The Last Drop distillers only offer such articles like this 50yo, when they believe they are unique, extremely limited in quantity, and, of course, exceptionally delicious. Often many are tasted but only a few are chosen; creating what is likely to be a one in a lifetime experience. This 50-year-old expression is just 1 of 898 examples bottled in 2015. This elegant and complex whisky was initially blended from more than 50 different scotch whiskies. First blended in 1995 as a premium 30 Year-Old expression, it was then refilled into Bourbon wood for marrying.
On the nose: you’ll experience initial notes of ripe berries, cherries and honey. These notes are closely followed by spices, cedar wood, alongside a hint of lemon zest, oranges. milk chocolate, toffee and treacle. After a few swirls more notes start to emerge in the form of lavender, rose petals, mint and green herbs. Rounding off the nose are notes of aniseed, sultanas, pineapple and a slight waft of bananas. On the palate: there is a nice flavour of raisins and sultanas, followed by cinnamon, sweet cherries, vanilla and almonds. These initial notes are followed by peppery spices, honey, zest, a lovely meaty note and creamy texture. The palate is nicely rounded off with a suggestion of coffee, liquorice, green herbs and a hint of smoke. The finish: is long, sweet with some mild spices, lingering smoke and nuttiness.
The verdict: I was lucky enough to experience the extraordinary The Last Drop 1967 Glen Garioch, this 50yo expression is just more of the same. Full of flavour with tonnes of depth that has been evenly balanced. With an ABV of 51.8 %, in my opinion, it doesn’t need any water because of its very mature years, however, if this is how you prefer it, then only add a few small drops. Allowing it to breathe for around 10 minutes will also yield many more notes.
The Last Drop 50 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky can be found online or in-store at any well-stocked whisky shops for approximately £3,000.
For more information on this Limited Bottling “Double Matured” Blended Scotch, visit the official The Last Drop website.
