Old & Rare From Glenturret and Last Drop Distillers
The uniqueness of Glenturret and Last Drop Distillers lies in their unwavering commitment to quality over quantity. Glenturret, releases far fewer bottles than many of its contemporaries, and is now firmly positioned in the luxury end of the market. Last Drop Distillers, holds the philosophy that great whisky should be savoured like a time capsule. They source their spirits from the rarest stocks and most prestigious distilleries, unearthing treasures that might otherwise be forgotten.
What makes the whiskies I discuss below particularly special is their scarcity. Both Glenturret and Last Drop Distillers embrace the notion that not all whiskies are created equal. Some are worth waiting decades for. Their older whiskies embody this philosophy. The long maturation process, spanning decades in some cases, adds a complexity that only time can provide. These are not mass-produced but instead patiently nurtured to reach their peak. They are a rare breed, mostly released in extremely limited numbers. It is always sad to think that the master distiller who made these whiskies, may have retired long before they are released. I always hope they have an opportunity, as I do, to sample them. I wonder what their reaction would be.
As I opened my miniature samples of these older expressions, I was struck by the privilege of the moment. To taste such rare whiskies is an experience that goes beyond simple appreciation.
Glenturret Jaguar C-Type 30-Year-Old
Glenturret has recently released the Jaguar C-Type 30-Year-Old whisky. This limited-edition single malt celebrates the 70th anniversary of the iconic Jaguar C-Type, renowned for its engineering excellence and historic racing victories, notably at Le Mans in the early 1950s.
The petrolheads amongst you will remember 1953, the year the Jaguar C-Type achieved legendary status by its outstanding performance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This was the car that introduced disc brakes to the world. It impressively secured the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 9th positions in that years race, shattering previous records with a new average speed of 105.84 mph. This marked the first instance in which the 100 mph barrier was breached, a feat made possible by its powerful 220bhp engine equipped with triple Weber carburetors and an aerodynamically efficient, lightweight chassis.
Glenturret, nestled in the heart of Scotland’s Perthshire, is the country’s oldest working distillery. Its heritage stretches back to 1763, weaving through centuries of changing tastes and evolving techniques. Whilst no whisky remains from this time, a fortunate few can enjoy this 30-year-old single malt, matured in 5 specially selected oak casks to achieve a complexity and depth that parallels the intricate engineering of the Jaguar. It is an amber gold colour, with an aroma rich in vibrant citrus notes intertwined with familiar sherry notes from the PX and Oloroso casks it was drawn from.
On the palate, it has a sophisticated complexity, with layers of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, blending with lighter notes of vanilla and caramel. The finish is long and warming, with a richness that speaks to the longevity and enduring appeal of the C-Type itself.
Reflecting the elegance of the Jaguar brand, the presentation of this whisky is wonderful. Each bottle is encased in a sleek, custom-made box that mirrors the design cues of the Jaguar C-Type, including aspects of its famous sleek bodywork and distinctive colour palette. The box enhances the overall experience of owning a piece of this limited collection, making it a collector's item for both whisky and automotive enthusiasts. I personally own the first bottle in the series, celebrating the Jaguar E-Type, so can attest to how magnificent it looks on the shelf. I hope to add this bottle to my collection in the near future.
As you can imagine, it is an ultra-exclusive release, with just 220 bottles available worldwide. Each bottle is individually numbered, providing a personal touch that further connects the owner with the distillery’s and Jaguar’s shared heritage of craftsmanship. It is available for £2200.
Last Drop
In the competitive world of fine spirits, few names resonate with such appeal as The Last Drop Distillers. Since its formation in 2008, this boutique independent bottler has carved a niche by focusing on ultra-rare spirits. The Last Drop Distillers have become a symbol of luxurious rarity, seen in the world’s finest retail stores.
The company was founded by James Espey and Tom Jago, both veterans in the industry, who were instrumental in the development of brands such as Johnnie Walker Blue Label and Chivas Regal 18. Along with their partner Peter Fleck, their mission was simple yet ambitious: to seek out, bottle, and sell the world’s most exclusive spirits.
To me, they are very much like a treasure hunter, scouring cellars, distilleries, and warehouses around the world for exceptional casks that have been forgotten or overlooked. Each spirit is chosen for its rarity and exceptional quality, making each bottle a collectable artefact in its own right.
Their inaugural release was taken from old sherry casks and distilled in 1960. It was bottled in 2008 as a 48-year-old Blended Scotch. The release was limited to just 1,347 bottles and set the tone for the company going forward. To date, less than 10,000 have been released over 36 expressions.
Over the years, The Last Drop has expanded its portfolio to include not only Scotch but also cognacs, bourbons, and rum. One of the latter is included in their latest releases which I have written about below. One of their most notable offerings has been a 1925 Grande Champagne Cognac, which is one of Rebecca Jago, daughter of co-founder, Tom Jago, and now Managing Director, favourite releases. Sadly this sold out years ago, so I will not have an opportunity to try it, but amongst such other great releases, I can only imagine it is extraordinary.
Each bottle comes with a story, detailed in accompanying booklets that offer a glimpse into the spirit's historical and cultural journey. As mass production dominates global markets, it is always a pleasure to learn of The Last Drop’s annual release of expressions, which I have been privileged to taste. The highlight of 2024 is release No 36, a remarkable 55 year old from the Tomintoul Distillery, described as:-
‘Our oldest single malt scotch whisky to date, this whisky was born on 11th November 1968, when the Tomintoul Distillery was less than four years old. Founded by Glasgow whisky traders Hey & Macleod and W. & S. Strong, it was originally equipped with just one wash still and one spirit still, and production began only a year later. Fast forward to March 2022, and the spirit from these six casks graduated, before disappearing again for a further period of maturation in an Amoroso butt for a final 20 months”
As a whisky writer, I never take for granted having the opportunity to taste such whisky. It is a privilege and I wish my facial expressions were caught on camera when samling all of these - it was one of joy.
Release No. 33 – 40 Year Old Blended Scotch (£2,880.00, 845 bottles)
The company celebrated their 15th anniversary with this unique 40-year-old blended Scotch. Master Blender Colin JP Scott crafted it as a tribute to the company's legacy of hunting for greatness. It features some of the rarest grain whisky from the North of Scotland distillery, which closed in 1980 but was once known for producing one of Scotland's most flavoursome grain whiskies.
This has a rich amber hue from its long ageing in ex-bourbon casks.The aroma is all ripe orchard fruits, layered with the gentle sweetness of honey. Soft hints of medjool dates, plums, and vanilla also emerge. The palate is rounded and smooth, revealing a complexity of dried mixed fruit with a distinct nuttiness of hazelnuts and almonds. Floral notes also make an appearance.
Release No. 34 – Auchentoshan 40 Year Old (£4,200.00, 72 bottles)
A beautifully mature Lowland single malt from Auchentoshan, which is celebrated for its (almost unique for Scotland) triple distillation. This rare expression, sourced from a single barrel produced only 72 bottles.
It has a straw gold colour, whose lightness is deceptive, as it opens into a cascade of fruitcake, stewed apples, and black cherries, with undertones of toffee and hazelnuts on the nose. The smell deepens with the sweet spiciness of nutmeg and cinnamon, with a hint of aged leather. The palate starts with black cherries and caramel, blending with notes of biscotti biscuits and dark raisins. There are the vanilla flavours you would expect, leading to some almost floral tones. As it unfolds, subtle hints of ginger and a trace of peppermint emerge. This whisky, with its decades of ageing, is a unique treat for the senses
Release No. 35 – Infinitum Rum Blend 22 Year Old (£2,640.00, 136 bottles)
This is an extraordinary blend, made from hundreds of carefully retained samples dating back to 2000, which were all put into a cask. The resulting “accidental” blend is quite extraordinary. You could say that this rum captures the spirit of distilleries across the Caribbean and Latin America, aged together in a single cask for over 22 years.
The initial aroma includes mango, pineapple, honeycomb, and tangerine. Nutmeg and allspice are in the background, while tobacco adds a touch of warmth. The sweetness of tropical fruits combines seamlessly with warming spices. Allspice and nutmeg are at the forefront, supported by gingerbread and a subtle amount of spiced dark chocolate. .
Release No. 36 – Tomintoul 55 Year Old (£6,600.00, 582 bottles)
Few people are fortunate enough to enjoy such well-aged, exclusive whisky, such as this Tomintoul 55 Year Old, bottled to date by Last Drop Distillers. It is their oldest expression to date and was placed into six casks in 1968. This was when the distillery was still in its infancy, so also one of the oldest bottles you will taste from Tomintoul currently. Having aged gracefully, it was re-racked and spent an additional 20 months in an Amoroso (basically a cream sherry) butt, adding complexity and a distinctive depth to it.
It has a deep golden amber colour that reflects the maturation in sherry casks. There are aromas of dates, lychees and red berries with a hint of nut. Toffee, roasted hazelnuts, and caramel all make an appearance. The palate delivers toffee apple, profiteroles, shortbread, wood spice and sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. It's a real pleasure to explore the nuanced flavours of a whisky this old and refined.