The Lost Close Unveils Independently Bottled, Story-Driven Whisky

Edinburgh, 29th July 2026 – The Lost Close, an underground historic whisky attraction just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, today announces the launch of a new independently bottled whisky. The release marks the latest milestone in The Lost Close’s ongoing commitment to story-led whisky experiences.

The Lost Close No. 3 is a 30-year-old North British grain whisky with an ABV of 44.6%, distilled in Edinburgh in December 1995 and matured in a single refill hogshead for three decades. This rare release not only represents exceptional cask selection but also tells the story of one of Edinburgh’s most significant distilling institutions: the North British Distillery. With just 238 bottles produced, The Lost Close No. 3 is a whisky deeply rooted in Edinburgh’s heritage.

Founded in 1885 and operational by 1887, North British was established as a co-operative to challenge the monopoly on grain whisky production held by the Distillers Company Limited (DCL). Over its long history, the distillery has endured significant global events, having been repurposed for munitions production during World War I and temporarily closed during World War II due to shortages of raw materials.

These dates place North British only around 60 years younger than The Lost Close itself, reflecting the longevity and resilience both share within Edinburgh’s cultural heritage.

This particular cask was expertly selected in partnership with Chris Cusiter, former Scotland international rugby union player and now CEO of CASC Whisky Ltd, an independent Scotch whisky bottler. Single cask expressions from North British remain comparatively rare, particularly at this age. While grain whisky is typically matured for use in blends, relatively few casks are left to age for 30 years before being released as single cask bottlings, making this an increasingly remarkable discovery.

Chris Cusiter commented: “A whisky like this is just as much about the story as it is the flavour. 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. 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.”

Katie Scott, Head of Events and Experiences at The Lost Close, said: “The Lost Close No. 3 fits perfectly within our whisky range. It’s a beautiful example of the kind of story-driven spirit we love to share. Every tasting with us is led by our expert Storytellers, and no two experiences are ever the same. This whisky gives us something truly special to explore with guests, connecting flavour, history and Edinburgh’s unique heritage in a meaningful way.”

Mature North British grain whiskies are especially prized for their ability to develop complexity while retaining a silky, elegant texture. After three decades in cask, The Lost Close No. 3 reveals a rich and refined profile. On the nose, it is clean, light and estery, with notes of green apple and underripe pear. The palate is light and airy, with butterscotch, toffee and hints of fresh coconut, leading to a vibrant, quick and citrussy finish.

Distilled during a pivotal cultural moment, the whisky also captures a snapshot of 1995, a year when Scottish culture was experiencing a global revival. Braveheart had reignited global fascination with Scotland and Trainspotting was being filmed on the streets of Edinburgh. The Lost Close offers guests the opportunity to experience another unique aspect of Edinburgh’s history, stepping into a close that was ‘lost’ following the Great Fire of 1824 before being found again in 2019.

The independently bottled range builds on The Lost Close’s growing reputation for expertly curated whisky experiences. By leveraging in-house expertise, the team will continue to expand its portfolio with distinctive, story-led expressions designed to elevate the guest experience.

The Lost Close No. 3 is now available exclusively at The Lost Close for £135, located just off Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile on Barrie’s Close.

About The Lost Close:

Discovered during excavation works in 2019, The Lost Close lies hidden beneath Edinburgh’s old courthouse – a remarkable underground space. What remains today is all that’s left of an unknown close destroyed during the Great Fire of 1824, now thoughtfully restored to offer a series of premium tasting and storytelling experiences. From whisky tastings to immersive events, The Lost Close invites guests to explore a unique part of Edinburgh’s past, where history, craftsmanship, and atmosphere come together in an unforgettable setting.

https://thelostclose.com/

Invergordon Uncharted Whisky Co. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet Single Grain Whisky 50 Year Old · 1974 Vintage 70cl · 46.1% ABV

Celebrating 5 years of Uncharted Whisky- and what better way to celebrate but by cracking open a 50 year old cask of something truly extraordinary? You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet – a 50-year-old single grain whisky from Invergordon, finished in first-fill bourbon cask and bottled at natural cask strength.

Half a century of patience has given this whisky an unparalleled depth of flavour. The soft creamy spirit paired with the fresh bourbon has created a whisky of absolute distinction. The bourbon cask adds brightness and zing to a beautifully structured spirit, layering fresh vanilla and orchard fruit over a foundation of oak, caramel, and soft spice.

This was distilled in 1974, the year that Bachmann Turner Overdrive topped the charts with the classic “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”. We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to describe our sentiment on the Uncharted trail so far or the twists and turns that lie ahead.

Limited to just 268 bottles to split between all of our global markets, this is a time capsule and a rarity.

£249.95

Colour Deep amber-gold with honeyed bronze highlights and a warm mahogany glow.

Nose Fresh vanilla pods mingle with toasted coconut, honeycomb, and a gentle touch of oak.

Palate Waves of baked apple and tropical fruit unfold across the palate, paired with crème brûlée and warming spice for a creamy, layered richness.

Finish Long and lingering, this finish threads sweet oak with buttery pastry, bright citrus peel, and a soft, generous caramel echo that lingers warmly on the palate.

At The Whisky Shop, we have lots of new releases we’re excited to share with you, and tomorrow, keep an eye on your inbox as we have an exciting announcement!

Our first pick of the week is the brand new Glenallachie 21 Year Old Cask Strength (Batch 7). An opulent, layered single malt, designed to showcase the distillery’s luxuriously sherried style in its purest form. Expertly crafted by Master Distiller Billy Walker from select Pedro Ximénez and oloroso puncheons and hogsheads.

Rich in colour, flavour and finesse, Batch 7 is proudly presented at cask strength of 51.9% abv, free from added colouring or chill filtration.

The nose is richly aromatic, mocha and sticky gingerbread meeting honeycomb, spiced orange and candied hazelnuts, all warmed by a gentle waft of baking spice. Bold fruits, both sweet and dark – black cherries, poached red apples, damsons and raisins – meet brown sugars, buttercream and nutty dark chocolate on the palate, with honeyed oak, treacle and candied ginger lacing the lingering, softly tannic finish.

Why not have a look through our new releases, or let us tell you more about our picks for this week!

Private Stock Family Favourite Distillery 5 Years Old 50cl £41.67

Matured in a Single Sherry Butt, personally selected by Cara Laing, this Private Stock was bottled directly from the Douglas Laing Family’s Private Whisky Collection. Offered proudly at a high strength, it is presented exactly as the Distiller intended: without added colour or chill-filtration, and at 58.5% ABV. Each bottle is hand-signed by Cara Laing.

American whiskey: Bourbon, rye and beyond

American whiskey is a huge subject, and one that ranges far more broadly than just the big, familiar names (as good as they are). Bourbon is the biggest-selling type of American whiskey and must be made with at least 51% corn (maize) in the grist. The balance of flavours varies in great part on what that other 49% consists of – wheat for smoothness, rye for spice, or more corn for sweetness.

Learn more

DUNCAN TAYLOR SCOTCH WHISKY

LAUNCH FIRST MIZUNARA OCTAVE CASK

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky has further expanded its award-winning Octave portfolio, with the introduction of its first-ever Mizunara oak cask finish.  The launch marks another milestone in the company’s continued innovation within this range.

Directly sourced from Japan, the rare Mizunara oak cask was chosen to finish a triple-distilled Auchentoshan single malt over an initial four-month maturation period. The result is a distinctive Octave whisky that showcases the unique influence of this highly prized Japanese oak.

Ian Logan, Senior Spirits Manager at Duncan Taylor, said:  “The ongoing success of our Octave range gave us the opportunity to push the boundaries and experiment with new cask finishes. Auchentoshan’s lighter, triple-distilled spirit, allowed the Mizunara oak to fully express its natural character and the results far exceeded our expectations.”

The Mizunara cask arrived at Duncan Taylor’s headquarters in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, in March after being exported directly from Japan. Although Mizunara is renowned for being one of the most challenging oak species to work with due to its porous nature, it is equally celebrated for producing exceptionally elegant and complex whisky finishes.

Distilled in October 2011, the Auchentoshan matured for 14 years before spending four months in the Mizunara octave. Bottled at 52.1% ABV, the whisky has developed a rich and distinctive flavour profile.

Before octavation, the whisky displayed notes of vanilla yoghurt, honey, ginger, gentle citrus and soft spice. Following its time in the Mizunara octave, those flavours evolved into creamy rice pudding, golden syrup, mandarin, cedarwood and a lingering ginger warmth.

Logan added:  “We started experimenting for this project and the Auchentoshan quickly stood out as the ideal match for the style of the cask. The transformation has been remarkable and we’re delighted with the outcome. This is just the beginning of our exploration with Mizunara and we’re excited to see what other spirit styles work equally well with this exceptional wood.”

To mark the release, Duncan Taylor collaborated with Japanese photographer Kato Shu (FRPS) to capture the bottle alongside a Mizunara oak in an ancient forest at the foothills of Mount Fuji. While much of Japan’s native woodland has changed since the Edo period, this remarkable landscape remains home to towering Mizunara oaks, some more than 300 years old, which continue to thrive against the odds.

The Octave Mizunara finish has yielded just 76 bottles, making it an exceptionally limited release. It will be available exclusively through The Spirits Embassy, priced at £125.

There is more to come from Duncan Taylor’s innovative Octave range, not just with Mizunara casks but also further experimental finishes and new wood types are already in development and will be released later in the year.

HISTORY OF DUNCAN TAYLOR SCOTCH WHISKY 

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky is an independently owned scotch whisky specialist which was established as a cask broker and trading company on May 27^th, 1938.

Nearly 90 years after the company was first registered, Duncan Taylor is recognised on the global stage as one of the most innovative and dynamic whisky companies.  The company’s devotion to the principles of providing exceptional casks for filling at the finest distilleries, has been a key feature of its history.

The multi-award-winning company has built a reputation for its ownership of one of the largest privately held collections of some of the world’s most sought after vintage and rare whiskies and it continues to act as a reputable whisky merchant, blender, bottler and cask broker.

Today, the company sits on the periphery of Speyside, in the heart of scenic Huntly, Scotland, where it has its own facilities of a cooperage, cask storage, blending and bottling hall.  It also owns The Bank Restaurant & Café, The Club Room and Whiskies of Scotland shop all located in the Aberdeenshire town centre, close to its headquarters.

Its award-winning portfolio of brands includes Black Bull® Whisky, The Octave®, The Rarest®, Tantalus, and Dimensions®, among others. Find out more at https://www.duncantaylor.com/.

Introducing the Glenfarclas Family Cask 2011: A New Vintage Unveiled

We are delighted to announce the launch of our 2011 vintage, the latest addition to the exclusive Family Cask Collection. Selected during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, this exceptional single cask release has been matured in a first-fill Oloroso Sherry Hogshead and bottled at its natural cask strength of 59.8% ABV.

With just 276 bottles available worldwide, this is an extremely limited release that offers whisky enthusiasts and collectors the opportunity to own a unique piece of Glenfarclas history.

The Family Cask Collection is believed to be the largest consecutive collection of Scotch whisky in the world, with 59 vintages from 1952 through to 2011. This remarkable collection showcases a diverse range of cask types, fills, production methods and ages, with each bottle representing a distinct moment in time. Together, they provide a unique insight into the history, craftsmanship and character of Glenfarclas, creating whiskies that can be enjoyed and admired for generations to come.

This very limited release is now available to purchase from our Visitor Centre and will also be available through selected local retailers around the world.

For more information about Glenfarclas and our award-winning whiskies, please visit www.glenfarclas.com

Macallan Cask #601648 Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 Murray McDavid ULTRA

£3,432.95

Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 is an extraordinarily rare and luxurious Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by Murray McDavid for the prestigious ULTRA series. Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 is an extraordinarily rare and luxurious Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, bottled by Murray McDavid for the prestigious ULTRA series. Distilled on 7th December 1993 and bottled on 19th February 2024, this exceptional whisky spent more than three decades maturing in single cask #601648, quietly evolving within Scotland’s atmospheric Victorian warehouses. Bottled at an elegant 43.3% ABV, it represents the pinnacle of long-aged Scotch whisky craftsmanship.

The Murray McDavid ULTRA collection is reserved for exceptionally mature whiskies where time itself becomes a defining ingredient. Three decades of careful maturation have created a whisky of remarkable refinement, complexity, and balance. Rich honeycomb sweetness, creamy malt sugars, dried fruits, polished oak, and gentle spice intertwine seamlessly, showcasing the extraordinary elegance that has made Macallan one of the world’s most sought-after single malt distilleries.

• 30 year old Speyside single malt Scotch whisky from Macallan
• Distilled 7 December 1993, bottled 19 February 2024
• Matured in single cask #601648
• Bottled at 43.3% ABV
• Part of the prestigious Murray McDavid ULTRA series
• An exceptionally mature whisky showcasing the influence of time and traditional warehouse ageing

The Macallan 30 Year Old 1993 Murray McDavid ULTRA is a masterpiece of mature Scotch whisky, delivering extraordinary elegance, complexity, and depth after three decades of patient ageing. Rich with honeyed sweetness, baking spices, chocolate, and delicate sherry influence, it is a truly remarkable whisky for collectors and connoisseurs seeking a rare vintage Macallan experience.

Nose Fresh honeycomb, sweet toffee, creamy barley sugars, and ripe fig with hints of pastry, polished oak, and soft spice.

Palate Silky and indulgent, revealing flavours of milk chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, dried fruits, coffee notes, and warming ginger biscuits.

Finish Long and satisfying, with lingering sweet sherry richness, gentle spice, mature oak, and elegant sweetness.

The Macallan Distillery, founded by Alexander Reid in 1824 as Elchies Distillery near Easter Elchies House—a site dating back to 1700—is a prestigious Speyside malt whisky distillery. Re-commissioned in 2008, the distillery now operates with two still houses housing twenty-one copper stills. A new state-of-the-art facility is under construction, expanding capacity to thirty-one stills and solidifying Macallan’s position among the top whisky producers by volume. On-site maturation occurs in traditional dunnage warehouses and modern large warehouses on the estate. Renowned for its exquisite single malts, popular releases include the Macallan 18 Year Old and the Macallan 30 Year Old.

Midleton Very Rare 2026 Edition Irish Whiskey 70cl · 40% ABV

The 2026 vintage is composed from five distinct distillate styles, including a specially selected grain whiskey produced from a mash bill of barley and malted barley. This component contributes additional sweetness, floral character and complexity while complementing the richer texture and characteristic spice of the pot still whiskeys. The result is an elegant and finely balanced blend that retains the polished, fruit-led style for which Midleton Very Rare has become renowned.

Maturation in American oak brings vanilla, soft tannins, toffee and gentle wood spice, framing vibrant notes of citrus, apricot and orchard fruit. Bottled at 40% ABV, the whiskey delivers a smooth, coating texture with enough depth and structure to reward slow sipping, while its freshness makes the flavours immediately approachable.

Each Midleton Very Rare release is produced as an individual annual vintage, with its own carefully judged combination of mature pot still and grain whiskeys. The 2026 Edition therefore holds particular appeal both as a refined Irish whiskey to enjoy and as a collectable bottle for those building a vertical collection of Midleton Very Rare vintages. Presented in its ornate original gift box, it also makes an impressive gift for an Irish whiskey enthusiast or collector.

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