The Lost Distillery Archivist Collection whisky review

let’s begin

A really intriguing brand seeking to bring back some of the distilleries that have been forced into closure, The Lost Distillery Company is reviving long dead brands.

the brand

The Lost Distillery Company is a really exciting brand that is bringing back some amazing malts that have not been in production for almost a century, and in some cases more than! The Lost Distillery Archivist Collection is just part of their range.

They do it all through research and perseverance, working with historical records and gleaning what they know from the location of the distilleries to build a flavour profile.

From this flavour profile they create a malt that is similar to what would have been made there in the past. This is a really fascinating process and gives us a glimpse into the processes and production methods, as well as the importance of location, that formed the Whisky if bygone eras

Auchnagie

Bottle cost: £49.96

Founded by James Duff, this distillery lasted for nearly a century, opening in 1812 and closing in 1911 due to poor transport links.

The nose opens with lots of fruit and sweet biscuits. Pears, peaches, grapefruits and oranges are all there.

It is tangy and light on the palate, with a little bit of vanilla. The grains are soft and lusciously dull against the overripe fruits.

The finish is sweet and spicy, with a hint of vanilla and biscuits.

Stratheden

Bottle cost: £49.96

This distillery was closed in 1926 due to the depression ad prohibition, like many. It is found in Fife and was originally opened in 1829.

The nose is chewy, with toffee and caramel. It has a lovely toasted oak flavour, with rich pastries and cooking apple coming out.

The palate has a slightly bitter note of green apples, with more caramel and some tobacco. It is refined and elegant, and has a lovely warming spice.

The caramel and buttery pastry flavours add a creamy and mellow mouth feel.

It ends strong, with lots of sweet and spicy notes.

towiemore

Bottle cost: £49.96

This distillery was closed in 1926 due to the depression ad prohibition, like many. It is found in Fife and was originally opened in 1829.

The nose is chewy, with toffee and caramel. It has a lovely toasted oak flavour, with rich pastries and cooking apple coming out.

The palate has a slightly bitter note of green apples, with more caramel and some tobacco. It is refined and elegant, and has a lovely warming spice.

The caramel and buttery pastry flavours add a creamy and mellow mouth feel.

It ends strong, with lots of sweet and spicy notes.

Gerston

Bottle cost: £34.25

One of the earliest distilleries to be revived by The Lost Distilley Company Archivist Collection, Gerston was founded in 1796. Its water supply dried up in 1886 however, and it was forced to close.

The nose begins with delicate smoke and malted bread. Dried fruits and treacle toffee also appear.

The palate is rich and sweet. It has a creamy mouth feel, with lots more toffee and fruit flavours.

It has a little hint of sea salt and brine, adding a nice tang against the sweet flavours.

The finish is bold and lingers on salt and spicy caramel.

jericho

Bottle cost: £34.25

A once well known and respected distillery, Jericho, later renamed Benachie, opened in 1822 and closed in 1913. It was very isolated and struggled to maintain business.

The nose opens with bitter notes of dark chocolate and spicy sherry. there is a lovely warmth that brings the two together.

The palate is packed with dried fruits, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and wood. There is a little hint of turpentine as well.

The finish is excellent, bringing these flavours altogether with more sherry and spice.

dalaruan

Bottle cost: £42.21

One of the gems in the Campbeltown crown before it all crumbled, Dalaruan was started by Charles Colvill in 1895 and shut its doors in 1925.

The nose is soft, with amazing notes of honey and fruit. It is a warm orchard in spring. There is a slight smokiness as well.

The palate is rich, with lots more smoke and fruit flavours. Apples, pears and clementines abound, with soft notes of hazelnuts and pecans.

The finish is bold, with lots of sweet flavours and little bit of spice.

Lossit

Bottle cost: £34.25

Once found on the Isle of Islay, Lossit was a seaside distillery that was founded in 1817 by Malcolm MacNeill.

The nose is bright and fresh, with lots of peat smoke and sea air. Big, bold tones of salt, brine and iodine come through, with a lovely sweet fruitiness underneath it all.

The palate is full of red grapes, apples and cherries. It is sweet and spicy. The peat smoke underlines it all and really boosts the flavour. The salt offers a lovely tang in opposition to the sweeter notes.

The finish is strong, with more peat smoke and a lovely red grape note.

The Lost Distillery Company Archivist Collection is really exciting and gives you the chance to experience drams that are no longer in existence. Definitely worth investing in.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment below and let’s have a chat!

Tags: Archivist CollectionDalaruanJerichoLossitStrathedenThe Lost DistilleryThe Lost Distillery Archivist CollectionTowiemore

Greg

My name is Greg, and I’m a brand strategy consultant, writer, speaker, host and judge specialising in premium spirits. My mission is to experience, share and inspire with everything great about whisky, whiskey, gin, beer and fine dining through my writing, my brand building and my whisky tastings.