Whisky: Towiemore Blended Malt, Lost Distillery Company

Country/Region: Scotland/Blend

ABV: 43%

Cask: Sherry Casks

Nose: Sweet and sour notes of fruit and gutter muck. Coal dust-covered crates of straw-packed fruit and the grimy earthiness of a horse trod cobble road. A tart and acerbic mustiness hung over notes of spoiled pears, moss, apples, and burning lamp oil.

Palate: Light-body with notes of ginger candy, earth, and rust. Sugar candies and ginger mixed with the earthy vegetable sweetness of freshly pulled carrots and crushed pears. Rusted iron and coal dust fronted the sweet decay of gutter muck while more pleasant-sounding notes of construction paper and liquid cement took their turn in the spotlight. A slightly sour tang on the backend brought worn oak countertops and metal polish to mind.

Finish: Lingering notes of dry ginger and earth.

Score: 5

Mental Image: Henry Mayhew, London Labour and the London Poor, Vol. 2, Pg. 136.

Notes: I was warned that this was not good. Indeed, the buddy from whom I received a sample thought I was nutty for even asking to try it. I imagine he was secretly happy to get rid of at least a few ounces. The whole conceit of the Lost Distillery Company is fascinating to me— recreating the flavor profile of distilleries that are long gone. In this case, a distillery that shuttered shortly after the First World War when its water supply was fouled. The distilleries recreated by the Lost Distillery Company also happen to be those for which there are no trademark claims which might interfere with the use of their name or branding. So I would not expect to see them recreate more recently closed distilleries.

While I think the idea behind the whisky is interesting, some people are likely to find it gimmicky. The bottle attracts the curious with its strong storytelling. Yet, I can see how the bizarre flavor profile, in keeping with descriptions I have read of whisky profiles from the era, could be a turn-off. The earthy-sourness, which reminded me of cleaning the rain gutters on the house, was unique, to say the least.  

Overall, though I do not think this is something I would grab off the shelf to drink very often (or ever), it was a lot of fun, and I see the appeal. It was the kind of whisky you drink once and maybe enjoy a little history lesson (I do love to go on and on), but not the sort of bottle I suspect most people would keep on hand and at the ready. Consider this a great one to share with friends.

Image Credit: Whiskybase