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The Last Drop Distillers is set to introduce its first-ever Miniatures Collection, allowing true whisky lovers to add a ‘drop’ of the world’s rarest spirits collection to their drinks cabinet. It’s not like any miniature’s box you’ve seen before, however.
The limited edition set will feature 50ml miniatures of both the original 50 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, the company’s third release, as well as the newly released 50 Year Old ‘Double-Matured’ Blended Scotch Whisky, making this a rare taste of 100 years of The Last Drop.
Only 250 sets will be available for purchase and will be accompanied by an elegant, custom-made pewter Quaich – a traditional Scottish drinking vessel, and symbol of trust and friendship – presented in a signature chocolate brown leather box.
The Miniatures Collection concept was borne from the popularity of the 50ml miniatures that accompany every full-sized bottle within The Last Drop portfolio. The two whiskies that feature in the collection have previously only been released in exceptionally limited numbers – as is the case with the brand’s entire range.
Just 388 full bottles of the original 50 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky were originally released, making this one of the most limited releases within The Last Drop Distillers’ collection to date and a truly rare whisky experience.
More than 82 whiskies went into the original marrying vat over 50 years ago, many from distilleries long ago closed and forgotten. The blend initially matured for 12 years before most was sold as a fine 12-year old whisky. However, three casks were forgotten – left to develop an unequal richness of nose and taste. It is from these three barrels that The Last Drop 50 Year Old comes. The 50 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky was awarded 96.5 points by Jim Murray, which places it in the ‘superstar whisky’ category. It has a strength of 50.9% ABV.
Elegant and complex, the newly-released 50 Year Old ‘Double-Matured’ Blended Scotch Whisky is a remarkable blend of over fifty different Scotch whiskies, and a stunning example of the Blender’s art.
After an initial maturation in Bourbon wood, most of this whisky was bottled and sold in 1995 as a superb 30-year-old whisky, but a small quantity of the precious liquid was refilled into casks that had previously held Oloroso sherry. There it rested undisturbed for a further twenty years.
A few years ago, with great excitement, The Last Drop Distillers discovered this precious remnant. By this time, the whisky had developed extraordinary richness and depth of flavor, drawn from the two very different woods – they call this effect ‘Double-Matured’.
The 50 Year Old ‘Double-Matured’ Blended Scotch Whisky has been awarded 97 points by Jim Murray, placing it among the world’s truly best whiskies. It has a strength of 51.8% ABV.
The Miniatures Collection has an RRP of £400, and will be available to ship from 1st September 2016. Each of the two miniatures has been bottled, unfiltered and unrefined direct from the cask, and is offered at cask strength.
