Whisky legend Jim McEwan will be using his last ever public engagement to share a few drams and stories with friends and fans – as well as raising money for Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance.

The world-renowned master distiller has inspired new generations of whisky distillers, blenders and fans through his tenures with Islay distilleries Bowmore, Bruichladdich and, most recently, Ardnahoe. But, after a career spanning almost six decades, he recently announced that he would be stepping back from public life to spend more time with his family.

Over the past four months various homages to Jim's extraordinary life in whisky have be released: visually through Blacksmith & Jones' film The Water of Life; in print, with his biography A Journeyman's Journey, co-authored by Uno Sonntag and published by Plassen Verlag; and in liquid form, through Dramfool's Jim McEwan Signature Collection.

In a fitting end to his illustrious career, Jim will host a final tasting masterclass on Saturday 22 May before taking guests on a journey through his life and whiskies in A Last Chat with Jim McEwan on Sunday 23 May (9pm GMT/1pm EDT/4pm PDT). The latter event – confirmed as his final public engagement – will be held in aid of Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance, a vital service for Islay and a cause close to Jim's heart.

Two ticket options are available for A Last Chat with Jim McEwan, Gold Collection and Silver Collection, both available to purchase via Dramfool. Both include access to The Water of Life film for 48 hours on 22 and 23 May, a link to join a virtual chat with Jim on 23 May, and tasting kits to enjoy while watching the film or listening to Jim's talk. The Gold Collection tickets also include a copy of The Journeyman's Journey (German or English edition), which includes a letter signed by Jim. (NB German editions will be dispatched at time of purchase; English editions will be dispatched following printing and public release in late June.)

The Gold Collection ticket (limited to 50 tickets, priced £185) will include a six-dram tasting kit showcasing liquids from across Jim's career, from his Bowmore era to his newest, yet-to-be-bottled creation with Cape Byron Distillery in Australia. The kit comprises:

• Bowmore 20 – 50.7% ABV – 20 Years Old David Simpson, Double Matured in Oloroso and PX Sherry Casks


• Bruichladdich – 46% ABV – Resurrection 2001/2008


• Bruichladdich – 40% ABV – 10 Years Old, 1990’s bottling pre-reopening


• Jim McEwan Signature Collection – Journey’s End – Islay Barley 2010 – 55.9 ABV – 16/09/2010 first fill Banyul Cask


• Dramfool – Lochindaa l 2009 – 62.1% ABV – 01/09/2009 first fill Bourbon


• Cape Byron – 48% ABV – Cask #17, Ex Bourbon Cask

The Silver Collection ticket (limited to 300 tickets, priced £50) includes a tasting kit with four of Bowmore and Bruichladdich's finest drams:

• Bowmore 15 Years Old – 43% ABV


• Bruichladdich Islay Barley 2012 – 50% ABV


• Port Charlotte Islay Barley 2012 – 50% ABV


• Octomore 11.1 – 59.4% ABV – 5 Years Old 136.9PPM