Last Drop marks 10 years with new warehouse and whisky
The Last Drop Distillers is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the opening of a warehouse at the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky, a London pop-up and a blended Scotch whisky.
Founded by James Espey and Tom Jago, The Last Drop specialises in bottling old and rare spirits, most recently a 1971 blended Scotch and a 70-year-old Cognac.
To mark the milestone anniversary the group will open Warehouse P at Buffalo Trace – a refrigerated warehouse where The Last Drop will keep barrels of American whiskey of various ages, blends and styles for the next 10-15 years – or longer.
“Warehouse P is a remarkable and exciting new chapter in The Last Drop Distillers’ journey,” said Beanie Geraedts-Espey, marketing and sales director for The Last Drop. “The first warehouse of its kind, it will enable us to see whether American whiskeys can indeed age like their Scottish counterparts.
“There is no guarantee of success, but it is the dawn of a new age for our brand as we take maturation into our own hands – rather than relying solely on hunting out parcels from yesteryear… although naturally we’re still doing that too.”
A month-long The Last Drop Atelier pop-up will also mark the occasion in London’s Piccadilly Arcade, which will be open to visitors until June.
The company has designed numerous activities to engage fans, from exclusive tastings, to a cask installation, a library of its exclusive collection from the past 10 years, cocktail parties and pairing dinners.
Lastly, The Last Drop has created a “once-in-a-lifetime” blended Scotch to honour 92-year-old co-founder Jago, called Tom’s Blend No. 1. However, this bottle will not be made available to purchase.
The firm said the idea came about because Jago has, since his 20s, poured himself a dram of blended Scotch every night, added a little water and reflected on his day.
The blend was developed with the help of Scotch whisky writer Charles Maclean and the malt master at Ian Macleod Distillers.
“Tom’s Blend No. 1 is 18 years old and comprises 50% single malts, a wisp of smoke from Islay, rich notes from heavily Sherried Highland whiskies and, in keeping with Tom’s particular tastes, some fruity Speyside,” said Rebecca Jago, operations and creative director at The Last Drop, and Jago’s daughter. “We believe this to be a great whisky but more importantly an interpretation of Tom’s personality and preferences. We will offer it to our guests with love and pride.”
