Last Drop Distillers was founded by spirits industry veterans Tom Jago and James Espy in 2008, with a focus on finding and bottling the literal last drops of rare spirits from around the world. In 2016, the brand was acquired by Sazerac, the parent company of Kentucky distillery Buffalo Trace, and has since offered some amazing spirits, like last year’s 27-year-old bourbon. However, the 40th release marks the first time the brand has ever released a tequila.
Carmen Villarreal is the woman behind the new Last Drop Release No. 40 Extra Ajo Tequila. She is also in charge of Casa San Matas, a winery in Julesco that has been making wine since the late 19th century. In addition to producing its corresponding brand, Sazerac’s Corazon Tequila has also been made with a few others. Villarreal joined the business in 1997, and has continued to carry on the legacy of his family business, credited with releasing the first extra avojo tequila in 1991 (Reserva de la Familia and El Tesoro are two other brands that might dispute this).
Extra aijo refers to tequila that has been aged for more than three years, and this new expression goes beyond that from the last drop. It’s a blend of three different casks selected by Villarreal—two 10-year ex-bourbon barrels, and one seven-year old port pipe. “For generations, Mexico’s most skilled winemakers have produced spirits that capture the spirit of the land,” he said in a statement. “Yet, even in my decades at Casa San Matas, the opportunities to create an extra layer of this uniqueness—exploring the nuances that come from experimenting with unique casks and modern aging techniques. I am immensely proud of the depth and beauty of this liquid.”
We haven’t sampled the wine yet, but the official tasting notes describe flavors like roasted nuts, tropical fruit, dulce de leche, and warming spices with a delicate floral elegance. The final blend was bottled at 92.6 proof. It’s definitely a luxurious bottle for $2,300, but if you’re more of a collector than a sipper you’re in luck because each one comes with a tiny 50ml miniature on the side so you can taste the liquid without breaking the bottle’s seal. Final Drop Release #40 is available starting this month at specialty retailers and Sazerac’s Legacy De Forge website, and you can also find the final Final Drop release for sale on the secondary market.
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