Lost Spirits
| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada (2021-2024) Los Angeles, California (2016-2018) Salinas, California (2010-2016) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Bryan Davis Joanna Haruta |
| Status | Closed |
| Website | www.lostspirits.net |
Lost Spirits was an innovative distillery using high tech distilling methods to create spirits neatly identical to aged ones. It also had immersive circus show located in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was founded by Bryan Davis and Joanne Haruta.[1][2] The distillery was initially located in Salinas, California, where it opened in 2010.[3]
Lost Spirits closed at the end of April 2024.[4][5] At the time of the closing Lost Spirits had hosted over 250,000 guests in its Las Vegas location[5] and was generating an estimated $12.9 Million in Annual Revenue.[6]
History
In 2015, the distillery attracted attention after Davis developed technology to create mature whisky and rum within days.[7][1] In 2016, the distillery was moved to downtown Los Angeles, California.[8]
Davis's process was shown, using modern analytical chemistry, to replicate the chemical reactions that take place as spirits age in barrels.[9][1] The process aims to replicate the aging process in a laboratory while producing the same chemical signature and taste.[7]
In 2021, Davis and Haruta moved the distillery to Las Vegas.[1] The new location included a tour described as "an adult Disneyland".[10][11] The Las Vegas version featured a large cast of live actors, acrobats, contortionists and singers.[12]
Eventually, commercialisation proved difficult. Partially because "real aged" played a central role is the value of such spirits. The entertainment activities in Lad Vegas were then damaged by COVID closures, from which the company never recovered fully. [1]
Reception and awards
Whisky made using Davis' process performed favorably in blind tastings hosted by Whisky Advocate,[13] and won a Liquid Gold award in Jim Murray's 2018 Whisky Bible.[14][15] The distillery won The Spirits Business magazine's Global Prize for Innovation in 2015.[16] Smithsonian Magazine described Lost Spirits as "cult hit among spirits geeks".[17]
In 2023 Lost Spirits was listed on the annual Thrillist list of the best live shows and musicals in Las Vegas.[18]
References
- ^ a b c d Null, Christopher. "This Guy Says He Can Make 20-Year-Old Rum in 6 Days". Wired. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
- ^ Davis, Leah (2023-06-28). "Stoking Vegas' Immersive Flame: Lost Spirits Distillery (Review)". Medium. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
- ^ "Lost Spirits Distillery".
- ^ "Lost Spirits Distillery at AREA15 is closing at the end of the month". Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Innovative Lost Spirits Distillery, performers take final bows — PHOTOS". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Lost Spirits Distillery: Revenue, Competitors, Alternatives". growjo.com. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b Goldfarb, Aaron (2015-09-26). "Great Rum Without Rotting Goat Heads". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
- ^ Tuttle, Brittani (2020-05-14). "Lost Spirits Distillery to open new interactive experience in Las Vegas". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
- ^ Cummings, Joanna. "Shaken and Stirred". The Analytical Scientist. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
- ^ "Down the rum rabbit hole: The booze fantasia at Lost Spirits Distillery". Las Vegas Review-Journal. 2021-07-23. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
- ^ Bustamante, Lou (2018-12-06). "Disneyland Has Got Nothing on This". Alta Online. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
- ^ Miller, Virginia (2023-07-21). "Lost Spirits Soars to New Heights in Las Vegas". Distiller Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
- ^ "9 Whiskies That Weren't Aged in a Traditional Barrel". Whisky Advocate. 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
- ^ "Jim Murray: The Life Of A Whiskey Legend". 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
- ^ Cooper, Harris (2021-06-29). American History Through a Whiskey Glass: How Distilled Spirits, Domestic Cuisine, and Popular Music Helped Shape a Nation. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-5107-6402-6.
- ^ Technology, Lost Spirits. "Lost Spirits Technology Takes Home Global Prize for Innovation". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ Perrottet, Tony. "The Madcap Chemists of Booze". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
- ^ Rupersburg, Nicole (2015-05-27). "The Best Shows and Musicals in Las Vegas Right Now". Thrillist. Retrieved 2023-09-16.