The Art of Aged Whisky: A Tale of Two Scotches

As whisky enthusiasts, we’re often drawn to the allure of aged spirits. The scarcity of bottles that have matured for 40, 50, or more years is so slight that finding one gives scotch drinkers the opportunity to enjoy something rare that has been developing for decades. Tasting the spirit transports us back to a different place and time as we contemplate the history and provenance behind the bottle while also regarding the heritage and tradition that scotch whisky enjoys as a spirit with hundreds of years of production.

The art of whisky production

Some enthusiasts buy these bottles for personal enjoyment, while others seek them out as an investment. The Last Drop Distillers of London aims to bring high-end selections to spirits connoisseurs by curating limited-quantity liquor offerings. In May 2024, the spirits company released two highly aged single-malt scotch whiskies — a 40-year and a 55-year — each with a very limited number of pricey bottles.

The Last Drop Distillers of London

In 2008, spirits industry veterans Tom Jago and James Espey started The Last Drop Distillers of London. According to its website, the company’s main goal is reportedly to “curate the world’s most remarkable spirits, finding treasures across different spirit categories and sharing them with those who seek the genuinely extraordinary.”

The Last Drop Distillers of London

40-Year-Old Auchentoshan Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Release No. 34 from The Last Drop Distillers of London is a Lowlands scotch from the historic Auchentoshan Distillery near Glasgow. This distillery has roots dating back to 1823. The single-malt scotch begins with unpeated malted barley, allowing the essence of the terroir to come through, while reportedly using water from Loch Katrine in the Scottish Highlands.

Auchentoshan Distillery

The resulting liquid looks as if it has been aged for only a short time, as the soft golden hue — an effect of triple distillation — does not reflect a well-aged whisky. The taste, however, displays the scotch’s age, showing notes of caramel, dried orange peel, and sweet spice, with a layer of unexpected freshness.

55-Year-Old Tomintoul Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The Last Drop’s oldest single-malt scotch offering to date is from the Tomintoul Distillery in Speyside. The Northeast Highlands region is home to over half the distilleries in Scotland due to the quality of water from the River Spey. Highlands scotch tends to produce whiskies with an exceptionally flavorful palate showing honey, vanilla, sweet spice, and orchard fruit flavors, each enhanced by years of oak barrel aging.

Tomintoul Distillery

This 55-year-old single-malt whisky is said to enter a cask clear to eventually enjoy a golden hue imparted by the barrel, making the type and time in the barrel of utmost importance. As the whisky ages, the color becomes deeper and darker. At the same time, fresh fruit and spice flavors transform into more dried fruits, toasted nuts, and toffee, as in The Last Drop’s release No. 36.

Are The Last Drop’s Liquors Expensive?

The limited quantities of these two new releases from The Last Drop Distillers are so scarce, resulting in two expensive single-malt scotches. The retail price for one of the 72 bottles of 40-Year-Old Auchentoshan Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky is $5,300, and $8,300 for the 55-Year-Old Tomintoul Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Luxury whisky

However, the prices for these products are on par with other single-malt options of similar years. A bottle of 40-year-old Glenfiddich also sells for around $5,300, as does a bottle of Highland Park, and yet neither claims to have quite the same backstory as the selection from The Last Drop.

Why Are High-End Aged Liquors Appealing?

The demand for high-end liquors has only increased in recent years, driving its value higher. According to the market research firm Future Market Insights, the world whisky market’s value in 2023 was $84.3 billion, with a forecast to reach over $270 billion over the course of the next decade. A key driver in this growth is that today’s consumers are willing to purchase premium, artisanal liquors — particularly millennials.

Whisky market

When is it worth investing in high-end spirits? Sayora Khamidova, who also invented the hot Negroni cocktail for the rooftop bar Jimmy, shares her opinion on investing in luxury spirits. “Aged spirits have a special charm because of their rich history and craftsmanship,” she tells us. “People are drawn to their rarity, limited availability, and the unique taste developed over time.”

Negroni cocktail

However, when asking Jonathan Adler if the importance of purchasing luxury alcohol lies in the spirit’s pedigree or the investment opportunity, he says, “Unusually enough, the taste of a rare spirit [generally] comes less into play for bottles that command a price over $2,000, as these will most likely never be consumed, except in a restaurant or bar setting.”

How to Drink The Last Drop’s Spirits

The Last Drop prides itself on curating what it claims to be only the finest liquors — and as such, you will want to enjoy these two options neat. The quality of both the 40-year and 55-year releases are too refined for classic scotch whisky cocktails, like adding it to vermouth and bitters for a Rob Roy or watering it down in a scotch and soda. The opulence of the luxurious profile, then, should not be neutralized with other spirits or mixes. If the alcohol’s palate is too strong, add just a drop of filtered water.

Whisky glass

The best glass to drink whisky neat is a classic Glencairn. The glass is short, with a broad, round bowl that rises to a tulip shape, narrowing at the top. The difference between a Glencairn and a snifter is that the former is slimmer, without as much of a bulbous bowl. However, the latter will work in a pinch. With a narrow shape at the top, both glasses will allow you to swirl the whisky while concentrating the aromas, ensuring you can capture the entire essence of the spirit.

Glencairn glass

Both of The Last Drop’s scotch whisky releases boast palates that are so smooth, and the flavors are so pure that adding ice or a splash of water may mask some intricacies. While the whisky should not be warm, it should also not be too cold. Chilling the liquid will hide each well-aged liquor’s subtle nuances, dulling the aromas.

The Last Drop’s 40-Year vs 55-Year Single-Malt Scotch

The Last Drop’s 40-Year-Old Auchentoshan Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky has a graceful and balanced palate, with the aforementioned citrus and orchard fruit notes, as well as a freshness that was surprising for a spirit that has been in a cask for decades. The 55-Year-Old Tomintoul Distillery Single Malt Scotch Whisky is bold, rich, and complex, with those previously noted layers of sticky toffee, dark chocolate, candied ginger, and dried fruits. Though more expensive, the latter may not be the best option, as extensively aged whisky isn’t always better if you prefer something more delicate. However, if your preference is a full-bodied spirit with a concentrated, unctuous palate, you will enjoy the 55-year-old option.

Whisky comparison

The alcohol percentage is higher in the Auchentoshan at 44.8% alcohol by volume, versus the 41.7% ABV in the Tomintoul. This was unexpected, as the alcohol burn appears more dominant in the latter. However, a single drop of water helps soften the bite, revealing the whisky’s many layers.

Regarding one versus the other, our preference would be the 40-year-old due to the incredible freshness the spirit still has and the elegant nature of the palate. While the 55-year-old offering is luscious and extremely palatable, the 40-year-old — with its refinement — is enough to steal the heart of this whisky lover.

Whisky love

Is The Last Drop’s single-malt scotch worth the investment? For history lovers, adventure seekers, and connoisseurs of fine whisky with an appreciation for artistry in a glass, The Last Drop single-malt scotch whisky releases No. 34 (40-year) and No. 36 (55-year) are well worth the investment. The quality of the products is undeniable, as both artisanal whiskies have seemingly been meticulously cared for over the past several decades.