The Lost Close, an underground whisky attraction off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, has released a 30-year-old North British single grain whisky. Named The Lost Close No. 3, the bottling is available now exclusively at the venue for £135.
The whisky was distilled in Edinburgh in December 1995 and matured for three decades in a single refill hogshead. It is bottled at 44.6% ABV.
Just 238 bottles have been produced.
The cask was selected in partnership with Chris Cusiter, the former Scotland international rugby union player who is now CEO of independent bottler CASC Whisky Ltd.
Single cask expressions from the North British Distillery remain comparatively rare, particularly at this age. Grain whisky is typically matured for use in blends, and few casks are left to age for 30 years before release as single cask bottlings.
“A whisky like this is just as much about the story as it is the flavour,” Cusiter said. “You’ve got over 30 years of quiet maturation, tied to a distillery with real history in the city, it all adds to the experience.”
He added: “What I loved about this cask is that it delivers both a beautifully balanced, elegant whisky, and a deeper sense of place and time behind it.”
The North British Distillery was founded in 1885 and became operational by 1887. It was established as a co-operative to challenge the grain whisky monopoly held by the Distillers Company Limited.
During World War I, the distillery was repurposed for munitions production. It also closed temporarily during World War II due to shortages of raw materials.
According to the brand’s official tasting notes, the whisky is “clean, light and estery” on the nose, with green apple and underripe pear. The palate offers butterscotch, toffee and fresh coconut, leading to a citrussy finish.
“The Lost Close No. 3 fits perfectly within our whisky range,” said Katie Scott, head of events and experiences at The Lost Close. “It’s a beautiful example of the kind of story-driven spirit we love to share.”
The attraction sits within a close that was ‘lost’ following Edinburgh’s Great Fire of 1824, before being rediscovered in 2019.
Read the full article at The Lost Close Releases 30-Year-Old North British Grain Whisky
