Last Drop releases 1961 Dumbarton single grain

Independent spirits bottler The Last Drop Distillers has released a 1961 Dumbarton single grain Scotch whisky, of which just 32 bottles have been made available.

In keeping with the company’s philosophy of finding and releasing rare spirits, the single cask was found from the inventory at the now closed Dumbarton distillery.

The production site itself was opened in 1938, and at one stage was one of the largest distilleries in Scotland. Unable to renovate the site due to the tall column stills which went through the concrete floor, the distillery was closed in 2002.

Given nosing tasting notes for the 1961 Dumbarton include poached pear, aromatic spices, fresh grain, vanilla sugar, velvety chocolate, baked apple, cocoa, molasses and caramelised pecan.

According to The Last Drop, “the angels had taken more than their share” leaving only enough liquid for 32 bottles.

The liquid has been bottled and wax-dipped by hand, and is then presented in a chocolate brown leather case.

Each bottle is accompanied by a 50ml miniature of the whisky, a custom-made stopper and a Last Drop Distillers tartan bag.

Due to the limited nature of the release, The Last Drop Distillers says the 1961 Dumbarton will not be available for general sale, but rather by “special arrangement”.

Earlier this year, The Last Drop Distillers released just 898 bottles of a “double matured” 50-year-old blended Scotch whisky with a £3,000 price tag.