Maker Notes

This elegant and complex whisky was initially created from more than fifty different Scotch whiskies, as a superb example of the blender’s art. Initially blended as an ultra-premium 30 year old for the burgeoning market in the Far East, once the initial bottling had been completed, a precious remnant was transferred into seven Spanish Hogshead casks that had previously held Oloroso sherry, and returned to a traditional warehouse in the Lowlands of Scotland. There it began its second maturation, which lasted a further 20 years until we bottled it in late 2015.

Over the course of this slow process of ageing, the whisky developed extraordinary richness and depth of flavour, taking on character traits from both woods – stone-fruit and honey from the Bourbon wood, and a rich, spicy quality from the Sherry wood – for an effect we call ‘double matured.’ It is an exceptional 50 year old whisky, complex, multi-layered and truly delicious.

MARTIN EBER’S (TIME FOR WHISKY) TASTING NOTES

Spice. Passionfruit and pineapple. Coke bottle lollies again. The oak is still in perfect balance, and the whisky feels like it could have many years still to go. A few drops of water amps up the sherry (adding mocha/milk chocolate notes, and some leather), and tones down the fruitier notes. There’s the tiniest hint of smoke too. The finish is long, with milk chocolate, coffee and leather.

Rating: 95/100. Just incredible. I love a well-aged ex-Bourbon whisky, for the big tropical fruit notes, and I love a well-aged, heavily sherried whisky for the “Christmas cake” notes. This has both. In spades. A stunning achievement and yet still such a vibrant whisky. It’s only February but I suspect this will be one of the highlight tastings of the year for us.

Maker Notes

Created by Master Blender Colin JP Scott, this release, just the 22nd since the company was founded in 2008, is The Last Drop’s inaugural Signature Blend, marking their first foray into the creation, as well as curation, of remarkable spirits.

This unique and unrepeatable blended Scotch Whisky, limited to just 500 bottles worldwide, bears not just the physical signature but all the stylistic expression of one of the great architects of the world of blended Scotch Whisky.

Colin Scott joined The Last Drop as their Master Blender after a long and distinguished career at Chivas Brothers, where as Master Blender he created the iconic Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, alongside the original founders of The Last Drop.

TASTING NOTES FROM MASTER BLENDER COLIN SCOTT

A warm golden amber colour reflecting long maturation in both sherry and bourbon casks for over 50 years. On the nose, rich peppery spices entice and tempt further exploration. A rich fruitiness of red apples and dried apricots are enhanced by scented floral notes and balanced with sweet spices, almonds and a hint of oak. Full, sweet fruitiness of apples, warm spices and dried fruits. Then a softness of spring flowers and the nuttiness of almonds with notes of liquorice and creamy toffee. The finish is warm and lingering with hints of liquorice, spring flowers and oak. The taste remains long after the last sip.

Maker Notes

This remarkable release comprises two Single Casks, both filled in 1968. These Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whiskies have spent their entire lives – nearly 50 years – maturing in the same oak casks.

The relationship between this individual cask, the distillate and the surrounding air, brings about a marvellous kind of alchemy; each cask yields a whisky that is slightly different from those around it. Thus, despite being distilled on the same day in November 1968, our two casks display distinct differences, whilst sharing characteristics of the Glenrothes distilling style – famously laden with ripe fruits, juicy citrus, creamy vanilla and hints of exotic spice.

This duo represents our first Glenrothes Single Malt release. Two more releases from 1969 and 1970 – each also comprising slightly different Single Casks – followed in 2019 and 2020, thereby completing a unique Glenrothes trilogy of wonderful whiskies.

CHARLES MACLEAN’S TASTING NOTES – CASK NO. 13504

Amber with long-lingering beading. A mellow nosefeel, with slight prickle after a while. The highly perfumed initial aroma – scented hand-cream, attar of roses, carnations – reduces in time, infused by notes of almond oil and oak shavings, with a trace of vanilla. A drop of water enhances the wood notes. A smooth texture and a sweet taste, drying in the spicy finish, with a suggestion of Friar’s Balsam medicine and a cooling mentholic aftertaste.

Maker Notes

This remarkable release comprises two Single Casks, both filled in 1968. These Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whiskies have spent their entire lives – nearly 50 years – maturing in the same oak casks.

The relationship between this individual cask, the distillate and the surrounding air, brings about a marvellous kind of alchemy; each cask yields a whisky that is slightly different from those around it. Thus, despite being distilled on the same day in November 1968, our two casks display distinct differences, whilst sharing characteristics of the Glenrothes distilling style – famously laden with ripe fruits, juicy citrus, creamy vanilla and hints of exotic spice.

This duo represents our first Glenrothes Single Malt release. Two more releases from 1969 and 1970 – each also comprising slightly different Single Casks – followed in 2019 and 2020, thereby completing a unique Glenrothes trilogy of wonderful whiskies.

CHARLES MACLEAN’S TASTING NOTES – CASK NO. 13508

18 carat gold in colour surprisingly good beading for its strength. A slight prickle on the nose and a complex, mellow aroma which is at once fruity and herbal – crystallised greengages, dusty dried mixed herbs – with an elusive whiff of scented smoke, a trace of cigar boxes and after a while a hint of candlewax. The texture is oily and the taste sweet and centre palate, with some salinity and peppery spice in the long warming finish and a slightly mentholic aftertaste.

Maker Notes

On 6th December 1970, three single casks were filled with Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Over the following half-century, that Single Malt Scotch Whisky matured undisturbed in those self-same barrels.

The relationship between each individual cask, the distillate and the surrounding air brings about a marvellous alchemy; each cask yields a whisky that is slightly different from those around it. To celebrate the differences in personality between individual casks, we have therefore chosen to bottle each of these “sibling casks” separately.

MARK GILLESPIE OF WHISKYCAST’S TASTING NOTES – CASK NO. 10586:

The nose is malty with gentle kisses of peat smoke, vanilla beans, dark chocolate, and touches of dried apricots, mango, and papaya. The taste starts off light and fruity at first, followed by a nice balance of spices, barley sugar, and a hint of smoke. The finish has a whiff of peat smoke, along with chocolate and a lingering touch of spices. Overall, it’s luscious and vibrant with a gentle smokiness. (96 Points)

CASK NO. 10588:

The nose is rich with orange marmalade and notes of vanilla beans, Manuka honey, a touch of smoke, and a good maltiness. The taste can be described in one word – wow! There is a great fruity character with apricots and orange peel balanced by touches of oak tannins, vanilla beans, barley sugar, and a hint of spice that lasts through the long finish along with touches of tropical fruits and a hint of oak. (95 Points)

The available cask will be shipped

The Last Drop L'Intense Très Vieille Cognac is an extraordinary and rare expression by The Last Drop Distillers, showcasing the pinnacle of Cognac craftsmanship. A très vieille Cognac, it offers a luxurious experience with rich flavors of caramel, dried fruit, and subtle spice. Packaged in a distinctive decanter, this collector's item embodies the artistry and unparalleled quality of aged spirits, making it a rare gem for those who appreciate the finest things in life.