The Last Drop launches new collaboration with Sazerac legend

To many people, investing in whisky as a financial strategy is a no-brainer. After purchasing a particularly rare, unique or old bottle of superb Scotch, we leave it to collect dust in our cupboard safe in the knowledge that its mere existence as an appreciating asset guarantees us a pleasant little windfall somewhere down the line. We'll sell it off to the highest bidder and collect our winnings, so to speak.

But to others, this process of investing and selling on is by no means the guaranteed fate of any whisky that makes its way into their possession. To them there's little point to ridding oneself of a once-in-a-lifetime spirit for mere financial gain. They are a somewhat more hedonistic bunch, who see a world-class whisky not as an appreciating asset, but as the thing it was crafted to be; a glorious, impossibly delicious drink to enjoy with friends and family.

Rebecca Jago, of The Last Drop, is one of these people. A whisky expert who puts major emphasis on the pure thrill of simply enjoying the liquids that cross her path, she has brought some extraordinary tipples to general sale over the years, with most being chanced upon by her team of scouts and sleuths. These include anything from a whisky produced with a blend of malts first distilled 1980 and 2000 at the iconic defunct Hanyu Distillery near Tokyo, to an astonishing hundred-year-old Grand Champagne cognac hidden behind a secret wall to protect it from invading Nazi soldiers during the Battle of France in the Second World War. 

Now, however, she's not leaving things to chance. The Last Drop Distillers, rather than waiting for unique expression to come to them, they have begun blending and creating their own prestigious spirits. For each of these, The Last Drop has teamed up with a world-renowned expert in their particular field to create a one-off, ultra-rare product that is sure to pique the interest of any keen premium drinks enthusiast.

This panel, known by the ominous name of The Assembly, will promote and encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience from different industry fields, bringing fresh ideas and new thinking, to inspire and drive The Last Drop’s pursuit of once-in-a-lifetime beverage experiences.

The Founder Members of The Assembly include:

• Colin Scott, Master Blender for The Last Drop Distillers (ex Master Blender, Chivas Brothers)
• Drew Mayville, Master Blender & Director of Quality, Sazerac, USA
• Richard Seale, Master Distiller & Blender, Foursquare Rum, Barbados
• Louise McGuane, Owner & Bonder, JJ Corry Irish Whiskey, Ireland
• Michael d’Souza, Master Distiller & Blender, Paul John Whisky, India
• Denis Lahouratate, Cellar Master, Domaine de Sazerac Cognac, France 

The brand's newest offering – and the second in this unique series – is Signature Blend Release No 28, created in collaboration with Drew Mayville. This bespoke liquid, nicknamed Drew's Blend, comprises a blend of vintage straight bourbon and rye whiskeys, presented at 60.7% ABV. This one-of-a-kind blend is a limited release of 1,458 bottles available worldwide from October 2022.

As Drew's own tasting notes say, the nose "reminds me of walking into one of Buffalo Trace’s most famous warehouses, built all those years ago: the
atmosphere, the history and the provenance – it packs an evocative punch". On the palate, meanwhile, there are "dark fruits, candy and orange peel", followed by a "veritable spice merchant’s storeroom, and into a saddle room full of worn leather and wax".

This is a rich, deeply satisfying example of what a masterful meeting of minds can create.

lastdropdistillers.com