Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company to locate lost & forgotten spirits

From Tennessee to Kentucky to Ireland, stories of old whiskies forgotten in the back of rickhouses and warehouses drift among distillers the world over.

To offer resolution and introduce a new line of rare spirits to a growing base of whiskey aficionados, Diageo announced the official start of the Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company.

The goal of The Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company is to locate lost and forgotten barrels of whiskey from around the world and share them with discerning adult fans. The first two variants to be released from the company will include the 20-year-old Barterhouse Whiskey and the 26-year-aged Old Blowhard Whiskey.

Both brands have begun to appear on select shelves throughout the US in March under strict allocation due to limited supply. Barterhouse Whiskey stocks were discovered in old warehouses at the Stitzel-Weller facility in Louisville, Kentucky.

Rumour has it that warehouse workers have already begun lining up for the first taste of this whiskey with a soft nose reminiscent of warm spice, biscuit and buttercream.

The whiskey’s taste includes notes of roasted grain, charred oak and a brown sugar finish. Barterhouse Whiskey is bottled in Tullahoma, Tennesse, and will be expected to sell for a suggested retail price of $75 (Rs 4,526).