the last drop distillers

The World’s Most Exclusive Spirits Collection

The World’s Most Exclusive Spirits Collection

One hundred and fifty years of experience in the bottle

THE LAST DROP DISTILLERS

In 2008, three veterans of the Spirits trade decided to pool their secrets...

True spirits pioneers, the founders of The Last Drop Distillers have between them created some of the world’s most well-known and best loved spirits brands: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, The Classic Malts, and with Malibu and Baileys Irish Cream, two of the most original and successful new drinks categories in the world.

Over ten years ago, rather than retiring, they decided to turn their attention to something a little different and created one last unique brand: The Last Drop Distillers.

Their goal was simple, but by no means easy: to find, and bottle, for the delectation of friends and connoisseurs alike, the world’s finest, rarest and most exclusive spirits.

RARE SPIRITS HUNTERS

Before there is no more...

We seek out precious ‘last drops’ of some of the oldest and most perfect spirits in existence.

It’s not surprising that we rarely succeed in our quest; not all spirits age well and too long in wood can ruin a fine spirit. But occasionally all the elements – original distillate, type of wood, the right climate for storage – combine to produce an unlikely miracle.

We offer only such articles we think are unique, extremely limited in quantity, and, of course, exceptionally delicious. In short, the kind of experience, on the eye, the nose and the palate, that only comes to most people once in a lifetime.

MANY ARE TASTEDFEW ARE CHOSEN

the last drop releases i to vii, 2008-2017

“Colleagues yes, but friends above all, we have long shared a delight in fine spirits”

The founders of The Last Drop Distillers have developed their ideas, and refined their palates, during many happy years in the drinks trade.

Our Chairman James Espey has been a director of several major whisky companies over a career in the industry spanning almost 50 years, during which time he contributed to the creation and development of several of the world’s greatest Scotch whisky brands – names like J&B Rare, Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal and many others. In May 2013, he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in HRH Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours List, for his services to Scotch Whisky.

From a village school in the remote countryside, via a scholarship to Oxford and service in the Royal Navy, Tom Jago has spent more than 60 years in the drinks industry. Early on he discovered a rare talent for developing new ideas, which led to the launch of Bailey’s Irish Cream, perhaps the most successful new drink launch in the world. Other successes included Le Piat d’Or, the Classic Malts and Johnnie Walker Blue Label. He is now President of The Last Drop Distillers.

THE FOUNDERS’ STORY

The founders of The Last Drop and their daughters l-r: Rebecca Jago & Beanie Geraedts-Espey,

THE DAUGHTERS’ STORY

With fathers so passionate about the business, it is little wonder that Beanie and Rebecca, daughters of James and Tom respectively, should develop a keen interest in the pleasures, wide variations and sophistications of the world of wine and spirits.

Having honed her skills with some of London’s leading design agencies, Rebecca Jago ran her own design business for 25 years, before joining the company in 2008. Like her father, Rebecca has an extraordinary palate and has been instrumental in identifying spirits befitting of The Last Drop bottle. Rebecca was personally responsible for unearthing the superb Glen Garioch 1967, our first Single Malt.

Beanie Geraedts-Espey began her marketing career 12 years ago at a bodega in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, and her passion for the wine and spirits trade continues unabated. Following a degree in modern languages at Oxford University, Beanie pursued a career in luxury brand Marketing at Chanel and L’Oreal, before joining the company 2014.

Rebecca and Beanie are now the joint Managing Directors of The Last Drop Distillers.

daughters of Tom Jago & James Espey obe, respectively.

Our stellar Management Team comprises industry experts who are friends and colleagues alike. We are united in our passion for the industry and our quest to identify spirits worthy of going into The Last Drop bottle. .

Ben Howkins has spent his career in the wine and spirits trade, from early days at Croft Port & Sherry, to co-founding Royal Tokaji, one of the pre-eminent producers of the great Hungarian wine. He is a member of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin in Burgundy, France, and became a member of the Royal Household Wine Committee in 1987. He is the author of two acclaimed books on Port, and is writing a book on Sherry. Ben contributes fantastic experience, an enviable network and a wealth of charm.

After studying modern languages at Exeter, Cecily Chappel decided to pursue a career in Fine Wine. She moved to Asia to open and run the offices of Corney & Barrow in both Hong Kong and Singapore. She returned to London after almost a decade with the British wine merchants to start up commercial operations for luxury Fine Wine Members Club,

THE LAST DROP TEAM

Left to right: Rebecca Jago, Tom Jago, Ben Howkins, James Espey obe. Beanie Geraedts-Espey, Solène Tailland.

FICOFI, in Europe, India and the Middle-East. She is a member of the Commanderie du Bontemps. Cecily joined The Last Drop Distillers in 2017 as Commercial Director.

Solène Tailland joined The Last Drop as an intern while still at university. She became a full time member of the team in 2016 after graduating in International Trade of Wines & Spirits from the Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, and is now our Sales Executive, working closely with Cecily to develop The Last Drop’s reputation and sales worldwide.

Ian Hamilton joined The Last Drop team in 2016. Ian has a wealth of experience in spirits bottling and packaging, after more than fifty years in the industry. Ian oversees our operations in Scotland and manages our maturing inventory.

THE 1960 BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

Release No. 1

“Astonishing. A freak whisky at its very peak.” More than 82 whiskies went into the original marrying vat, over 50 years ago. Originally bottled as a fine 12 year old, three casks lay forgotten and unnoticed until we unearthed them. The angels had taken their share but it had developed an unequalled richness of nose and taste.

Only 1,347 bottles

THE WHISKY BIBLE SCOTCH BLENDED WHISKY OF THE YEAR, BEST NEW SCOTCH BLENDED WHISKY & SCOTCH PREMIUM BLENDED WHISKY OF THE YEAR (2009)

Tasting Notes by Tom Jago, President

NOSE

Big, but balanced. Complexity of chocolate, figs, pronounced vanilla and the faintest echoes of peatsmoke. The sherry wood influence emerges with added water... and it evoked a memory of ancient Spanish bodegas.

TASTE

In the mouth, there is natural sweetness, then spice. A harmonious combination of new-mown hay, dried fruit, herbs and rich biscuits. It is still so youthfully fresh after nearly 50 years in cask - I would almost say ‘brisk.’

FINISH

This whisky has been rounded by the cask to a fabulous, complex whole. A really spicy, long finish; this whisky dwells in the mouth for an age... leave a drop in the glass for a while, and more profound nuances may yet emerge.

THE 1950 FINEST AGED COGNAC

Release No. 2

We found these casks in a tiny distillery lost in the woods near Cognac. They lay where they had been put soon after the wine was distilled in an old-fashioned, wood-fired copper still. After sixty years, most had evaporated; but what remained was sublime. “I was constantly reminded of the classic vintages of Bordeaux. Lafite spr ings to mind...not a bad benchmark!”, Ben Howkins .

Only 478 bottles

JIM MURRAY EXCEPTIONALLY AWARDED OUR COGNAC 95 POINTS (2010)

Tasting Notes by Jim Murray, author of jim murray’s whisky bible

NOSE

The unmistakable signs of great yet controlled age: fruits are in abundance, a paste of pears and figs patrolling the sweeter borders, underpinned by a drier theme of crushed grape pips. The oak is omnipresent but never for a moment opaque and at times wanders around the glass thrusting gently, almost teasingly, into the fruitier aspects.

TASTE

There is a bite, a nip, a scratching of the taste buds which sits attractively with the rounder, lightly oiled fruits which caress. Soon the oak makes a spicy entry, always light and seasoning the drier notes rather than attempting to take up the foreground.

FINISH

As dry as one might expect from a Cognac of such obvious antiquity and every bit as sophisticated and balanced as one might have the audacity to pray for. The oaky cocoa on the finale is as inevitable as it is charming.

THE 50 YEAR OLD BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKYRelease No. 3

The Last Drop 50 Year Old is the glorious result of taking a big risk. We could easily have sold the whole of our original 1960 release - the 1,347 bottles are long since gone. But we decided to give time another tr y and put a few gallons back into selected sherr y casks, to see if yet more ageing in wood would work a bit of extra magic. The result is an award-winning, “life-remembering dram of labyrinthine complexity.”

Only 388 bottles

THE WHISKY ADVOCATE’S BLENDED WHISKY OF THE YEAR (2014)

96.5 POINTS, THE WHISKY BIBLE

BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY OF THE YEAR 26-50 YEARS OLD (2014)

Tasting Notes by Tom Jago, President

NOSE

A powerful blast of Spanish oak, structured but without noticeable tannins. Behind the wood there is rich fruit cake, tangy herbs and a touch of forest mushrooms - this whisky is, remember, 50 years old. The French have a phrase for this: pourriture noble, meaning ‘noble rot’.

TASTE

In the mouth, the first impression is of smooth alcohol imbued with rich malt. The high proof hides great subtlety, but a touch of water releases the sweetness on the palate and the complex fruits that are at the heart of this magnificent blend.

FINISH

At the end, there remains the nose. Powerful, glorious. Until you wash the glass, it remains, long after you might expect, filling the room with a lovely, ancient fragrance.

THE 48 YEAR OLD BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

Release No. 4

“It simply caresses your soul... magnificent doesn’t quite cover it.” Our fourth release, this is a harmonious blend of distinguished malts and grains, the youngest of which was distilled in 1965. Some of the distilleries represented here have long since closed, making this a truly rare and luxurious Scotch whisky - the like of which is rarely seen.

Only 592 bottles

96.5 POINTS. THE WHISKY BIBLE

SCOTCH WHISKY OF THE YEAR (2015) BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY OF THE YEAR (2015)

Tasting Notes by Andrew Rankin, Master Blender

NOSE

A rich, yet golden chestnut colour, with coppery overtones. On the nose, warm figs and ripe peaches are balanced with layers of pear and cinnamon-spiced orange. A distinct aroma of honeysuckle and melted butter invite you into this intriguing whisky.

TASTE

Once in the mouth, the flavour is both complex and smooth with a slow release of ripened peaches, pear brandy and toasted oak wood. The proof of 48.6% is evident in the mouth feel, particularly focused on the centre of the palate.

FINISH

An extremely long, lasting finish. Dark chocolate, almond and peach linger in the mouth.

THE 1967 GLEN GARIOCHSINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY Release No. 5

“A quite extraordinary - and in some ways lucky - experience”, this 1967 Glen Garioch Single Malt dates from the days when the distillery produced robust, peated whiskies. Unusually at that time, it was stored in Bourbon-style remade Hogshead casks, where it matured into an elixir of honeyed sweetness, with a subtle smokiness.

Only 118 bottles

96 POINTS. THE WHISKY BIBLE

SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY OF THE YEAR (2015)

Tasting Notes by Rebecca Jago & Beanie Espey, Directors

NOSE

Light smoke on the nose reminds us that this is an old-fashioned Glen Garioch, but the ‘peatiness’ associated with that style of whisky has softened beautifully over time, balanced with warm notes of hay, honey and a hint of apple.

TASTE

In the mouth, the whisky is silky smooth and luxurious, yet with salty notes from the sea, and a suggestion of hessian which draws to mind old fishing boats. This is complemented by a wave of warming cloves and spice, and wisps of blackcurrant.

FINISH

An extraordinarily long finish that is teasingly complex with cedar and spice. The aromas stay in the glass, and linger in your mind, long after the liquid has gone. A truly memorable blend of cask and still.

THE 50 YEAR OLD “DOUBLE MATURED” BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

Release No. 6

“Another award-winner from the irrepressible Last Drop Distillers…” This elegant and complex whisky was initially blended from more than fifty different scotch whiskies, and is a superb example of the blender’s art. First blended in 1995 as a premium 30 Year-Old, the remnant was refilled into Sherry wood for a second maturation period lasting 20 years. It is a complex, multi-layered whisky, that still retains great freshness and vibrancy.

Only 898 bottles

96.5 POINTS, THE WHISKY BIBLE

BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY OF THE YEAR (2016)

Tasting Notes by Jim Murray, author of jim murray’s whisky bible

NOSE

A curious mix of cherry-drop candy and shoe polish: pungent fruity and lively. None of the tired oak you might expect.

TASTE

The cherry-drops are there on impact, intensely so, with a fur ther oily spiciness making for a busy, warming and juicy experience. Here’s the thing: you expect those gathering oak tones to turn a tad tired and worn. But they never do. Instead, the spices buzz and a little manuka and heather honey face the oak to inject just that small degree of sweetness required for a happy ending.

FINISH

You’d expect, after half a century in wood, that this would be a quiet dram, just enjoying its final years with its feet up and arms behind its head. Instead we have a fairly aggressive blend determined to drive the abundant fruitiness it still possesses to the very hilt. It is backed up all the way by a surprising degree of warming, busy spice. There is a hell of a lot of life in this beautiful ol’ dog.

THE 1961 DUMBARTON SINGLE GRAIN SCOTCH WHISKY Release No. 7

“A grain, glorying in its 55th year”, this spectacular single grain whisky must be tasted to be believed. In keeping with The Last Drop Distillers’ aim to track down rare and unique spirits from a variety of sources, we began a hunt for a rare Single Grain with which to surprise and delight our customers. This hunt bore extraordinary fruit with the discovery of a single, almost empty cask from the now silent Dumbarton Distillery.

Only 32 bottles

96 POINTS, THE WHISKY BIBLE (2016)

Tasting Notes by Jim Murray, author of jim murray’s whisky bible

NOSE

No splinters apparent on this golden oldie. Instead, we see a little coconut water adding lustre to the corn bread. Reminds me of Waterloo, one of the lost original distilleries of Canada, as there is a subtle layering which ensures the weight is neither too hefty nor restrictive. A once common nose world-wide, now just about unique...

TASTE

An unmistakable Canadian-style corn and oak marriage in which the ulmo honey melts with the golden syrup but still can’t outperform the clean corn oils. The spices are at exactly the right volume.

FINISH

A little bitterness from the old cask creeps in. But the spices counter immediately, and even up their game as we near the end. Dumbarton here displays, with an ease almost bordering arrogance, why it is the doyen of grain whiskies.

94 POINTS, THE WHISKY BIBLE (2017)

THE 1972 LOCHSIDE SINGLE GRAIN SCOTCH WHISKY

Release No. 8

“So lively, it almost arrogantly defies the years...” The historic Lochside Distillery opened its doors in 1957 and, for a time, was one of the most beloved of Highland grain distilleries. Like many others it was sadly forced to close its doors some 35 years later, but happily for our special band of whisky lovers, the departing owners left behind a few casks... including this one: number 346.

This particular cask surpassed all our expectations; honey gold in colour and profoundly aromatic in a way only vintage Scotch whisky can be, it is smooth, balanced and utterly delicious.

Only 106 bottles

Tasting Notes by Andrew Rankin, Master Blender

NOSE

On the nose a delicious dry fruitiness with a hint of fresh hay and aniseed followed by toffee and honey.

TASTE

On the palate, a fresh, crisp mouth-feel with vanilla, caramelised apple and a noticeable, oaky richness.

FINISH

The finish has a pleasant and lingering richness of fruit and aromatic cherries with delicate peppery hints and lingering, balanced oak.

Tasting Notes by Nick Faith, Author of cognac and the guide to cognac

NOSE

It seems ridiculous that one’s first impression of a seventy year old cognac is how fresh, young, and delicious it is. The aromas have the richness of summer flowers, with hints of the sea wafting in from the Atlantic coast.

TASTE

Take your time in nosing this Cognac. When eventually you sip this delicate liquid you come across the same floral notes in a much more complex form, bursting into life. The traditional copper still used to distill this spirit gives its own unique flavours.

FINISH

Once again, the length and complexity of the finish is surprising in such an ancient liquid. The fiery notes of the cognac linger in the mouth, along with floral and even fruity notes. And the glass itself retains the notes long after the last drop has been savoured.

96.5 POINTS, NICK FAITH (2017)

THE HORS D’AGE 1947 COGNAC

Release No. 9

“Deep bronze, like fine old walnut furniture, but with a flash of gold, reflecting this still sprightly veteran’s many-faceted charm”. This extraordinary cognac was distilled in 1947 and – nearly 70 years later – has lost none of its charm and freshness. A collector’s dream.

Only 186 bottles

97 POINTS, THE WHISKY BIBLE

BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY OF THE YEAR (2017)

THE 1971 BLENDED SCOTCH WHISKY

Release No. 10.

“Just mesmerically beautiful...” First blended in 1983 as a Premium 12 Year Old for the USA, the balance after bottling was refilled into 11 ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts. After a further nine years of ageing, a small volume was siphoned off and bottled as a 21 Year Old Blend. What remained was refilled once more, this time into nine ex-American Oak Barrels. These nine casks were returned to an old traditional dunnage maturation warehouse where they lay for a further 24 years until we bottled the whisky, in its prime, at the grand age of 45 years.

Only 1,352 bottles

Tasting Notes by Charlie Maclean, Leading whisky authority and author of whiskypedia

NOSE

The first nose is slightly closed, almost indolent, but give it some time and the warm aromas of dried figs and traces of almond will reward your patience. The nose keeps evolving and a hint of coffee appears, quickly followed by candied orange.

TASTE

Once the moment arrives to taste it, the whisky has a wonderfully soft mouthfeel. Well balanced between sweet and dry, it has a classic old-fashioned smokiness; a discernible 70s blending style makes it a true relic of times past.

FINISH

The subtle flavours evolve and end in a slightly salty finish, with an almost ‘maritime’ quality.”

A superb blend worth 8+ points!

Tasting Notes by Neal Martin, Wine Critic for Vinous, previously of The Wine Advocate. Author of pomerol1870

The 1870 Centenario Colheita Tawny Port has a deep colour, one you would expect from a Tawny of 148 years. It has an arresting bouquet with scents of black plum, rosehip syrup, Manuka honey, fig and grilled walnut. To be honest, it was far less oxidative than I expected and that is followed through on the palate. Beautifully balanced, fresh and slightly viscous in texture, this is a complex Tawny Port whose age has not diminished just how delicious it tastes. It just goes out to offer gorgeous mulberry, clove, eau de vie and Chinese five-spice notes throughout its harmonious and poised finish. This is just a sublime Tawny of class and pedigree and it comes highly recommended. 97 points.

1970

The 1970 Centenario Colheita Tawny Port offers clove, toffee, wild fennel and smoke aromas. The palate is sweet and crisp on the entry with a tang of Seville orange marmalade and quince. There is great tension here thanks to the fine seam of acidity with a fresh, almost “zippy” finish that belies its age. A fine Colheita Tawny. 93 points.

Notes by Jancis Robinson 1870

19 points: Great stuff! A real treat to taste a great wine this old.

1870

17.5 points It’s certainly a feat for a tawny port to give so much pleasure at nearly 50 years old.

CENTENARIO 1870 - 1970 DUO OF TAWNY PORTS

Release No. 11

“This pair of exceptional ports are wines to enhance the greatest moments in anyone’s life.”

Only 770 sets

THE 1968 GLENROTHES SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY

Release No. 12

This remarkable release comprises two Single Casks, both filled in 1968. These

two single casks of Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch Whisky have each spent their

lives maturing in the same cask. The relationship between this individual cask,

the distillate and the surrounding air brings about a marvellous kind of alchemy

with each cask yielding a whisky that is slightly different from those around it.

Thus, despite being distilled on the same day in November 1968, our two casks

still have distinct differences, along with similarities and shared characteristics of

the Glenrothes distilling style which is famously laden with ripe fruits, juicy citrus,

creamy vanilla and hints of exotic spice.

Cask No 13504: 168 bottles | Cask No 13508: 141 bottles

Tasting Notes by Charlie Maclean, Leading whisky authority and author of whiskypedia

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 after taste.”

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 saltiness and peppery spice in the long warming finish and a slightly mentholic after taste.”

Release No. 13

This, our second smallest release ever, is also our first American Whiskey. The

very last drops of an exceptional 1982 Bourbon, distilled at the renowned

Buffalo Trace Distillery, in the heart of Kentucky. The Bourbon was taken from

the cask when it was judged to be at its peak, and lay awaiting discovery by

The Last Drop team. With so few bottles available this is sure to become a

collector’s item.

A sweet aroma rises from the glass, promising riches... In the mouth it

has glorious toffee richness that encompasses all the taste buds. The

sweetness gives way to the balanced notes of oak. All in all a sensational

spirit, truly worthy of The Last Drop bottle.

Only 44 bottles

Tasting Notes by Drew Mayville, Master Blender and Director of Quality, Buffalo Trace

nose The nose is nothing short of exquisite. Its seductive softness is accented by a rich toffee-like, honeyed vanilla, and candied ripe fruits with undertones of oak.

palate Sophisticated with an extraordinary richness and butteriness with layers of apple, pecans, ripened pear, dark Belgian chocolate, caramel and a kiss of black cherries.

finish This remarkable whiskey transitions to a memorable finish of dried dark fruit with delightful lingering oak. All the time knowing that you’re tasting history as you enjoy the last drops. This truly is a once in a lifetime taste experience.

THE 1982 BOURBON FROM THE BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY

THE HORS D’AGE 1925 GRANDE CHAMPAGNECOGNAC

Release No. 14

On this old family estate in the heart of the Grande Champagne region we

discovered a very special cask at the back of a cellar. The cognac had been

hidden there in 1940, behind a hastily built wall to protect it from advancing

German forces. Forgotten for nearly 80 years by the family, it was unearthed by

The Last Drop team.

Distilled in a small, traditional wood-fired still, this is a rare and exceptional

cognac – the likes of which we’re unlikely to see or taste again. We suspect

there is a predominance of Folle Blanche grapes, together with Ugni Blanc,

Colombard and even a little Muscat. Furthermore, we believe that this cognac

has unusually spent its life in an ex-Pineau des Charentes cask, imbuing it with

a distinct sweetness.

Only 182 bottles

Tasting Notes by Clive Carpenter

“I got together my small tasting group this morning to compile our thoughts about the forthcoming release… This is one of, if not the, best cognacs they had ever experienced. Rarely does a single, unblended eau-de-vie reach such all-round perfection.

A perfect balance between all its component parts, giving it a wonderful elegance and freshness. The nose and the palate are equally powerful and complex, and no single aroma or flavour dominates the others. It is perfect harmony in cognac.

The fruit (very ripe exotic fruits, such as mango, jackfruit, mangosteen and papaya) overlays mellow but powerful oak flavours which stop short of astringency. The almost explosive ‘rancio’ provides great length to the palate but is beautifully offset by the elegant acidity that brings a touch of lightness. In the finish, we detect an unusual hint of ‘café au lait’, with a touch of English toffee, alongside oaky, orange peel, prune and nutty flavours.”

CONTACT DETAILS

Get in touch

We welcome enquiries and comments from prospective customers, press, partners and agents. Please get in touch with us by telephone, email or via our website.

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THE LAST DROP DISTILLERS60 Marina Place Kingston upon Thames

KT1 4BH United Kingdom

Email: info@lastdropdistillers.com

Telephone: +44 20 8036 6890

www.lastdropdistillers.com