The Lost Distillery - Stratheden

I was at this tasting recently and someone told me about The Lost Distillery Company. Quite genius actually. They literally imagine what closed distillery malts may have tasted like and go about recreating them. I think that's one of the most creative ideas to come out of Scotland of late. And boy, do they do a good job!

This particular bottling of the Stratheden Distillery (1829-1926) is a throwback to the time the distillery served it's whisky to smugglers and other illegal distillers in the area. Set in the centre of Auchtermuchty, the distillery was in the middle of flat farmland with the skyline dominated by the nearby Lomond Hills.

This one is made with a Lowland malt base and uses peat from Orkney.

The nose is toffee sweet with a dominant creme brulee and butterscotch attack. Some dates, some almonds and a hint of something musky and floral. Quite generous in it's approach.

The palate is creamy smooth and is like stuffing your face with a fruit basket of apples, pears, oranges and bananas. All at the same time. Quite a colorful fruity pounding. One which puts a smile on your face.

The brilliantly long finish is oaky with a sugarcane essence.

These are beautifully crafted representations and, as I mentioned in another Lost Distillery review, there is no way the originals could have been this good.