The Last Drop Distillers Launches 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky

The “Triple-Matured” 45 Year-Old Vintage Blend Marks the Company’s 10th Release.

The Last Drop Distillers, the world’s most dedicated and selective team of rare spirit hunters, announces the U.S. release of The Last Drop 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky. Awarded an outstanding 97 points and the title of “Scotch Blend of the Year” by Jim Murray in his 2017 Whisky Bible, this exclusive vintage blend is a remarkable whisky that only a fortunate few will have the opportunity to experience. Only 1,352 bottles are available worldwide, of which only 300 bottles are now available in the United States. A “relic of times past”, the 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky is an exquisite representation of the Last Drop Distillers’ passion for discovering the rare, exceptional and delicious and is a testament to the company’s rigorous process of seeking out and offering only the best of the best.

Founded by industry geniuses Tom Jago and James Espey in 2008, and now co-managed by their talented daughters, Rebecca Jago and Beanie Espey, the Last Drop Distillers, almost a decade later, continue their quest to uncover, and bottle the world’s finest and rarest of spirits. The 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky release is bold proof of that ongoing journey and adventure.

“This remarkably old yet fresh whisky was a delight to discover. And what makes it even all the more remarkable is that all the Single Malts and Grains in the blend were distilled over the course of the year 1971.”
– Beanie Espey, The Last Drop’s Director of Sales & Marketing

An exclusive “triple-matured” vintage blend, unique for such an old whisky, The Last Drop 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky was discovered in a traditional dunnage maturation warehouse where it had lain for 24 years before being found. First blended in 1983 as a Premium 12 Year Old, the balance after bottling was refilled into eleven ex-Oloroso Sherry Butts and aged for nine more years before 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 where the liquid rested until uncovered in its prime, at the grand age of 45 years, by the Last Drop team.

The 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky’s long, triple maturation process has given it a multi-faceted and rich array of flavors that continue to linger after the first sip, making for a truly stunning blended Scotch. Each 1971 offering has been meticulously wax-dipped and bottled by hand, resting inside The Last Drop’s signature “vintage rum” bottle. Part of the “Finest Aged” range, the 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky is placed in the Last Drop Distillers’ forest green leather case, which includes a 50ml miniature replica, a custom-made stopper, a luxury tasting book and a signed certificate of authenticity to complete the exquisite presentation.

Renowned whisky expert and award-winning journalist, Charlie Maclean, and The Last Drop Distiller’s Master Blender, Andrew Rankin, describe The Last Drop 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky tasting experience as:

Nose

• Charlie Maclean: 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.
• Andrew Rankin: On the nose, sweet honey and vanilla give way to tangy orange and lemon followed by warmer notes of stewed apple and toasted almonds.

Taste:

• Charlie Maclean: 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.
• Andrew Rankin: On the palate, there is a very pleasant fruity sweetness, again followed by a crisp orange and lemon tang and just a hint of freshly cut oak.

Finish

• Charlie Maclean: The subtle flavors evolve and end in a slightly salty finish, with an almost
  ‘maritime’ quality.”
• Andrew Rankin: A taste of chocolate orange and baked fruits with a lingering suggestion of orris
  root and smoke.

The Last Drop 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky Release is a further testament to the company’s founding philosophy to seek out the precious ‘last drops’ of some of the oldest and most exceptional spirits in existence for the world’s collectors, connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. While the goal is simple, it is by no means easy, as evident with the 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky and each Last Drop release to come before it—each bottle is the result of a rigorous journey to uncover the world’s finest and rarest spirits for a once in a lifetime tasting experience. The Last Drop 1971 Blended Scotch Whisky retails for an MSRP of $3,999 and is sold at Fine Spirits and Wine Merchants nationwide.

For more information, visit LastDropDistillers.com.