Malted Majesty: 75 Scotch Whiskies Were Blended for a Bespoke Release Honoring King Charles’ Birthday
(Photo: Last Drop Distillers)
On Thursday, Decanter reported on the existence of an elusive scotch whisky created in honor of the British royal family by Last Drop Distillers.
Commemorating King Charles’ 75th birthday, the brand blended 75 scotch whiskies — some older than 50 years — to create the appropriately titled Blend 75. The bespoke release was accompanied by a pair of coronation portraits designed by artist Mark Evans recreating Charles III’s Time Magazine cover.
Just two bottles of Blend 75 were created, one of which will reportedly be gifted to King Charles himself alongside a portrait. Apart from its laborious blending process, little is publicly known about the whisky save for an off-handed mention of its “exceptionally rich and complex” flavor.
“I had the opportunity to choose from The Last Drop’s inventory of maturing barrels to create a blend of over 75 different Scotch whiskies, from the four corners of Scotland,” master blender Colin JP Scott said, per Elite Traveler. “My aim was simple: to produce a unique whisky that represents Scotland, the magic of Scotch whisky and our profound admiration for His Majesty.”
The release was first hinted at in an event announcement commemorating Last Drop’s 15th anniversary. At an auction organized by Sotheby’s, guests were given the chance to buy the last unclaimed bottle of Blend 75, the portrait of King Charles, an opportunity to blend out their own scotch and a treehouse hotel vacation. Last Drop says the auction raised a total of £170,000 ($215,650) for charity.
According to Men’s Journal, the winning bidder of the whisky and portrait privately requested that the duo be reauctioned next year to raise further funds. The combined value of the two pieces has now been reestimated at around £471,600 ($598,230).
Blend 75 is the latest in a long line of ultra-aged releases from the English distiller. Frequently hopping from spirit to spirit, Last Drop’s varied catalog includes a 22-year rum blend, a 55-year single malt scotch and a 70-year Petite Champagne Cognac. In 2016, the distillery was acquired by U.S. spirits giant Sazerac, the famed owner of Buffalo Trace and brands like Pappy Van Winkle.
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