A Blended Scotch That'll Convert Single Malt Snobs

I was asked to write about Tom’s Blend, the first spirit made specifically for The Last Drop Distillers, for a publication that wound up not using it because there are some issues about being able to buy the damn stuff in the States. Hopefully all the issues will soon be resolved, or else you can try snagging a bottle from the UK. Either way, it’s worth tracking down a bottle — it’s one of the best blended whiskies I’ve ever tried. A 50-50 split of grain and malt whiskies aged for a minimum of 18 years, it’s heavy on Speyside fruitiness, with some Highland depth and a wisp of Islay smoke thrown in. An everyday sipper that’s delicious enough to be a special occasion dram, too. And hey, there were only 1,000 bottles made, so that’s pretty special, right?

Oh, and if you’re wondering who Tom is, it’s Tom Jago, titan of the spirits industry and co-founder of The Last Drop, who died at age 93 in 2018. He helped create the blend, and it’s said it was his daily tipple from the day he got it until his death.