Orphan Barrel Lost Prophet Bourbon 750ML is a 22-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 45.05% ABV (90.1 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Released in December 2014 as the fourth expression in Diageo's Orphan Barrel series, it earned 92 points from Whisky Advocate, which called it "the best so far" in the lineup and "better than most 20-plus year old bourbons on the market."Quick Facts: ABV: 45.05% (90.1 proof) | Origin: Kentucky, USA | Age: 22 Years | Distillery: George T. Stagg (now Buffalo Trace)Production & HeritageLost Prophet was distilled in 1991 at the George T. Stagg Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky — the facility now known as Buffalo Trace. The mashbill sits at approximately 75–78% corn, 15% rye, and 7–10% malted barley, a recipe nearly identical to Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #2 used for labels like Blanton's and Elmer T. Lee. After distillation, the barrels were moved to the historic Stitzel-Weller rickhouses in Louisville, where they sat aging for over two decades before being discovered and bottled as a one-time release under Diageo's Orphan Barrel project. Because these barrels were essentially forgotten inventory, Lost Prophet can never be replicated — each bottle represents a fixed, finite quantity of liquid history.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with rich honey and apricot, followed by warm clove and a thread of oak resin. As the bourbon breathes, softer notes of coconut custard and cinnamon emerge beneath the fruit-forward sweetness.Taste: The entry is full-bodied and creamy, with well-integrated oak giving way to spice cake, vanilla, and honeyed fruit at mid-palate. Cherry and maple sweetness surface alongside cinnamon, balanced by a restrained leather character that keeps the sweetness in check. Despite 22 years in barrel, the oak never overwhelms — a testament to the Stitzel-Weller warehouse conditions.Finish: The finish is long and layered, with sweet smoke lingering alongside soft leather and residual vanilla. A gentle spice warmth fades slowly, leaving behind a dry but rounded oak impression.How to Drink Lost ProphetAt 22 years old and 90.1 proof, Lost Prophet is best appreciated neat or with a few drops of water to open the complex aged character. Given its rarity and depth, mixing is generally not recommended, but if you choose to explore: an Old Fashioned highlights the bourbon's inherent spice-cake sweetness without masking the oak complexity; a Boulevardier pairs well because the aged leather and smoke notes hold their own against Campari's bitterness; and a simple Whiskey Sour can illuminate the apricot and cherry fruit notes that sometimes hide beneath the oak when sipped straight.Best For Gifting a serious bourbon collector who values discontinued and allocated releases Adding a verified 22-year-old bourbon to a personal whiskey library Marking a milestone anniversary or retirement with a bottle that took over two decades to create Side-by-side tastings comparing Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 expressions across different ages Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Lost Prophet taste like? Lost Prophet delivers a full-bodied, creamy palate of spice cake, vanilla, honeyed fruit, and leather, with a sweet smoky finish that lingers well after each sip. Despite 22 years of aging, the oak is well-integrated rather than overpowering.How does Lost Prophet compare to Eagle Rare? Both were distilled at the same facility (George T. Stagg / Buffalo Trace) and share a similar grain profile, so some structural similarities exist — reviewers have noted the flavor profiles are strikingly similar in character. However, Lost Prophet's additional 12 years of aging beyond Eagle Rare 10 Year introduces significantly more oak complexity, leather, and sweet smoke that the younger expression has not yet developed.Is Lost Prophet good for sipping neat? Lost Prophet is ideally suited for neat sipping, as its 90.1 proof is moderate enough to drink without dilution while still carrying the intensity and complexity expected of a 22-year-old bourbon.Where is Lost Prophet made? Lost Prophet was distilled in 1991 at the George T. Stagg Distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky (now Buffalo Trace Distillery) and aged for 22 years in the historic Stitzel-Weller rickhouses in Louisville, Kentucky.What foods pair well with Lost Prophet? Dark chocolate truffles complement the bourbon's sweet smoke and leather notes. Pecan pie mirrors the caramel and toasted nut undertones. Smoked brisket stands up to the full-bodied oak and spice. Aged Gouda echoes the butterscotch and caramel sweetness. Crème brûlée pairs naturally with the vanilla and custard character.What sizes does Lost Prophet come in? Lost Prophet was released exclusively in the standard 750ml bottle size.Is Lost Prophet worth the price? Lost Prophet positions as a premium-to-collectible expression within the bourbon market, justified by its verified 22-year age statement, one-time-only production, and 92-point rating from Whisky Advocate. As a discontinued release with a finite supply, secondary market values have climbed steadily since its 2014 release.Why Lost Prophet?Lost Prophet occupies a genuinely rare intersection in American whiskey: bourbon distilled at one of Kentucky's most storied distilleries, aged for over two decades in another legendary facility's rickhouses, and bottled only once. The 92-point score from Whisky Advocate — alongside the publication's assessment that it surpasses most 20-plus-year-old bourbons available — provides independent confirmation of its quality beyond collector hype. Its mashbill connects it directly to the lineage of celebrated Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 expressions, yet the prolonged Stitzel-Weller aging gives it a character that no currently produced bourbon replicates. For anyone seeking a verified, age-stated Kentucky bourbon with documented provenance and critical acclaim, Lost Prophet remains one of the most compelling entries in the Orphan Barrel catalog.
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