Ultra-luxury Scotch whiskies are, as you know if you’re a consistent reader of The Manual, a fairly common occurrence (when you think about how many distilleries there used to be, how many still exist, and other factors). Not that each individual luxury whisky is common, though. The newest release from Last Drop Distillers, a Glenrothes Single Malt Scotch from 1969, is a testament to that, with a total release of only 271 bottles.
This is the second in a trilogy of Glenrothes releases from their spirits collection. The first release was the 1968 Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The current release includes bottling from two casks, laid down 50 years ago in the Speyside region of Scotland. Most of the barrels from the distillation were included in previous, younger bottles of Glenrothes, but Last Drop Distillers acquired these exclusive ex-bourbon barrels years later.
Bottled early this year, one of the casks filled 130, while the other poured 141. With just 271 bottles available, the Scotch will have the (steep) suggested retail price of $6,250.
“We are delighted with the second of our trilogy of old Glenrothes single malts,” a statement from Last Drop Distillers reads. “Only a very fortunate few will have the chance to sample these exceptional spirits, which are wonderful examples of fine distilling from the 1960s. Each sip transports you back to the heady days of flower power when revolution was in the air and on the radio. We commend to all those who truly appreciate the scent and taste of a magnificent old Scotch from a bygone era. You will not be disappointed.”
Esteemed whisky writer Charles Maclean provided tasting notes for the exclusive bottles. Despite similar aromas, Cask No. 16203 “appears less fruity, with snuffed candle at the base.” Cask No. 16207 “has a smooth texture, with sweet and sour taste and a long, warming finish.”
Cask No. 16207 also received some honors from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2019, including Best Single Malt of the Year (Single Cask) and Best Single Malt 41 Years & Over.
Those who can shell out more than six grand for a bottle of whisky can check out where they’re being held on the Last Drop Distillers website.
It’s the 15th release for Last Drop Distillers in 11 years. Other releases include cognacs and bourbon, but the brand largely concentrates on Scotch whiskies. Last Drop was acquired by Sazerac Company in 2016, but remains on a quest to discover rare spirits to offer the public, so don’t expect the expensive, rare bottles to stop rolling out anytime soon.
