A hundred and twenty years of skill in the bottle

 


main image Tom Jago 1925

Came from a village school, via Oxford and wartime navy, to find his niche in the wine and spirit trade. His creative contributions to that world have been unique. With his partners James Espey and Peter Fleck he led the team that developed such famous brands as Croft Original Pale Cream Sherry, Le Piat D’ Or, Baileys Irish Cream, Malibu and many others. Tom and his team worked on some of the most famous names in Scotch whisky; intimate experience of such names as Johnnie Walker Blue label, The Classic Malts, Chivas Regal 18 years old, Royal Lochnager and Chivas Bros. Revolve helped hone his palate in the nuances and subtleties of Scotch whisky. Along the way he has wandered down many secret pathways, leading to the astonishing finds of the old, lost casks which now make up the The Last Drop.
main image James Espey 1943

Has been a director of major international whisky companies for almost forty years, his career covering distinguished service with International Distillers, Vintners (IDV), United Distillers (UDV) and Seagram (Chivas Bros). He is today a director of Whyte & Mackay Ltd. He has contributed notably to the creation and development of many of the world's greatest Scotch whisky brands- names like J&B rare, Johnnie Walker, Dewars, Chivas Regal and dozen of others. He is also the creator and founder of The Keepers of the Quaich, the proud and powerful society promoting Scotch Whisky around the world. Since 1992 he has served on the council of Scotch Whisky Association. In 2001 he was awarded the International Wine and Spirit Scotch Whisky Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution to the Scotch Whisky Industry; only the third person ever to have received this honour.
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Peter Fleck 1943

Has spent his life in the drinks industry in South Africa, moving from the wine side to spirits, at Gilbeys (now part of Diageo) and in latter years - Seagram South Africa. He created many local and international brands, the most famous being Malibu, which he originated and developed to international fame with his partners James Espey and Tom Jago. He was responsible for the extraordinary growth of brands like Smirnoff Vodka, and later of J&B Rare Scotch and Chivas Regal. He now lives in the Cape where he consults for a number of international drinks companies