The Lost Close unveils new, independently bottled whisky

The Lost Close, an underground, historic whisky attraction just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, has announced 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 per cent, distilled in Edinburgh in December 1995 and matured in a single refill hogshead for three decades.

The release 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 chief executive 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.

Chris 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 described as 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 discovered again, during excavation works in 2019.

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.

https://thelostclose.com/

Pictured left-right, The Lost Close head of experiences and events, Katie Bell, Stuart Bell, chief financial officer, Andrew Landsburgh, chief executive and Chris Cusiter, chief executive of CASC Whisky