Today, we’re going to talk about a very special Whisky. A Whisky so rare and wonderful that it dances on the tongue and buzzes in your mouth. A Whisky so fine and complex that it had a room full of spirits writers scratching their heads whilst they tried to wrap their heads around the explosion of flavors they were tasting. A Whisky so alive, I could hardly believe it was so fully aged. I’m talking about The Last Drop Distillers 50 Year Old “Double Matured” Blended Scotch Whisky.

I was invited to Sel Rrose by the Baddish Group to attend this most excellent of tasting events and I shall tell you all about it, photo essay style.

The Baddish Group are without a doubt, the classiest firm in NYC and thusly we were treated to some very fine cocktails and some of the best seafood I’ve had in the USA.

I started the night with a French 27, a truly excellent French 75 variation with Zaya Rum, Mesquite Honey syrup, Lime juice, Champagne, and a Thyme sprig garnish. It was killer! We should all make this cocktail, like right now!

The raw bar of champions, I swear to the stars y’all, THE BEST SEAFOOD EVER!

The best seafood means the best oysters and seriously, I keep dreaming about these beauties! If you note the mignonette on the bottom left, it was a thai style sauce with ginger and scallion. HOOO boy, brilliant flavor combination!

And that’s what this is really all about, right? The whole reason we’re here sipping Whisky (or making cocktails) is because of the taste, smell, and feeling it evokes within us. For me, working with spirits is about achieving an unique and excellent combination of flavors that leave me excited, temporarily satiated, yet searching for more.

Let’s talk about the Last Drop Distillers aged Whisky, shall we?

Our illustrious host for the evening, the ever cheerful Beanie Espy sharing her wealth of knowledge.

The Last Drop Distillers was founded in 2008 by two industry pioneers, Tom Jago and James Espy. Between them, they have created some of the world’s best known spirit brands: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Chivas Regal 18 Year Old, The Classic Malts, Malibu, and Bailey’s Irish Cream. Instead of resting on their laurels, Tom and James turned their attention to something different, finding and bottling the finest, rarest, and most exclusive spirits. They are joined by their daughters Rebecca Jago and Beanie Espy, making this the most adorable father-daughter company ever.

To date, they have released six award-winning expressions such as a Blended Scotch from 1960, a Cognac from 1950, a Single Malt from 1967, and now the 50 Year “Double Matured” Blended Scotch Whisky pictured above.

This particular expression came about when they found a 30 year blend of over 50 different Whiskies intended for the Taiwanese market in 1995. Whenever blends are made there is always some left over, so the remaining Whisky was split up, placed into seven Oloroso Sherry casks, and returned to a traditional maturation warehouse in the lowlands of Scotland. There it rested for 20 years until it was bottled at its peak in 2015.

Yes please.

Each expression comes in a luxurious yet understated leather case, including a booklet certifying the bottle, and a bonus 50ml mini! Beanie explained that the mini is The Last Drop Distillers calling card because often people want to save the full bottle for a special occasion but they can drink the mini right away. Brilliant.

 Look at the color, viscosity and slowly moving legs! SUPER SLOW LEGS Y’ALL!

The Last Drop Distillers 50 Year Old “Double Matured” Blended Scotch Whisky notes:

• Nose: Entrances of cherry, candied orange peel, aged Rum, brown sugar, and a pleasant woodiness followed by really intriguing brininess, minerality, and herbaceous set of tones.
• Mouth: The minerality is really happening and quite lively on the tongue. The fruit notes are reinforced on the palate and explode with a few drops of water. Orange peel, dark tart cherry, caramel, toffee, baking spices, and there’s that briney salinity floating in the background.
• Body: This is without a doubt, the liveliest Whisky I’ve ever tasted and it’s 50+ years old! It literally danced on my tongue, bounced around my mouth, and never stopped being exciting. It felt like the Whiskey was alive.
• Finish: lonnnnnnng and wide, well balanced, aggressive and abundant with fruit notes, spices, and lingering minerality.

Seriously y’all, this is not an armchair Whisky, it’s a get up and dance Whisky. It’s a shout about it from the rooftops, invigorating, thrilling experience.

With so much excitement in one small pour, it’s not surprising that The Last Drop Distiller’s motto for finding spirits is, “the magic combination of age and freshness.” Indeed. Such a miraculous dram of Whisky.

The Last Drop Distillers 50 Year Old “Double Matured” Blended Scotch Whisky is bottled at cask strength, with no dilution or additives, and is non-chill filtered so we can experience every exciting note this orchestra of a bottle contains. To add this exceptional Whisky to your collection, contact The Last Drop Distllers through their website.

Cheers!

Thanks again to The Baddish Group for having me!