Since The Whisky Exchange was acquired by Pernod Ricard (Chivas Brothers), there have been a number of interesting collaborations. Which makes sense – the online retailer is now part of a family of businesses that includes all Chivas distilleries. The Lost In Time series might be the most eye-catching so far.
It’s a range of eight single cask releases from seven different distilleries. Some well-known, others not so much. With one exception, all whiskies from the Lost In Time range were distilled in the early to mid-1990s, which was dubbed a “bygone era of whisky making” in the accompanying press release. While maybe technically true, someone from the PR department certainly has a flair for the dramatic.
Seeing as almost all Chivas Brothers’ distilleries are located in Speyside, it was to be expected that the Lost In Time series only features malt whiskies from that region. What I find admirable, is that each whisky is allowed to showcase its own personality. No elaborate cask finishes. Not even a single sherry cask was used. The entire Lost In Time range matured in ex-bourbon casks, either first-fill or refill.
Today I’m reviewing three whiskies from the series. We’ll start with a Glentauchers 1990 from a refill American oak barrel. Next up a Longmorn 1993 from a second-fill hogshead. Then we’ll finish with a Braeval 1995 from a first-fill American oak barrel.
Glentauchers 1990 33 Years (51.9%, OB ‘Lost In Time’, C#5218)
Nose: Bright, slightly tart fruits. Plenty of citrus, with mainly cured lemons, but then also hints of tinned peaches, some rhubarb and a touch of marzipan. There’s a sliver of chalk also, accompanied by warm pastries and apples.
Taste: An oily, almost waxy mouthfeel. Slightly peppery and also the kind of excellent fruitiness I’ve come to expect from Glentauchers, although my experience is mostly with their mid-to-late 1990s spirit. There’s apples, grain pear and cantaloupes, followed by a tinge of brioche and husks.
Finish: Medium. More fruits, lingering pepper and a soft maltiness.
Longmorn 1993 30 Years (54.4%, OB ‘Lost In Time’, C#56087)
Nose: Gentle waxes, soft mineral notes, cocoa butter and elegant fruits. Just imagine yourself walking through an orchard and picking whatever you like. Apples? Sure. Peaches? Why not. Apricots? Most certainly. Pears? Yes, we’ve got those too. Finally a touch of porridge as well.
Taste: A pleasantly creamy mouthfeel. More plums, then cinnamon-sprinkled apple compote, and finally jammy apricots. Just a slight touch of chalk, as well as mead and a pinch of white pepper.
Finish: Medium length. Gentle oak spices, underripe fruits and some polished leather.
Braeval 1995 28 Years (62.6%, OB ‘Lost In Time’, C#79775)
Nose: Somewhat closed, which one could attribute to the high abv. There are gentle notes of vanilla custard, apfelstrudel and pears, but also hints of gingerbread, some oak spice and sandalwood.
Taste: Rather a thick mouthfeel. Hints of nutmeg, meringue and peanut skins, but also a good few pinches of cracked black peppercorns. There are slivers of bran too, then lemon pith and oats.
Finish: Medium to long. The pepper lingers. Vanilla too.
Samples provided by The Whisky Exchange
