End of an era! Victorian favourite Gentleman’s Relish axed after 177 years as makers admit it’s ‘no longer commercially viable’

As eccentrically Victorian as monocle, quintessential helmets and booties, Gentleman’s Relish has been a staple of traditional pantries since 1849.

English anchovy paste, also known as Patum Peperium, has endured six monarchs and two world wars.

However, due to declining sales, the condiment was finally discontinued after 177 years and its manufacturer announced that production was ‘no longer commercially viable’.

The paste was created in 1828 by John Osborn, an English grocer living in Paris, from a mixture of anchovy fillets, rusks, butter and secretly selected herbs and spices.

However, it was not marketed until it was introduced at the Paris Food Fair in 1849.

To make it sound distinguished, he called it Patum Peperium, a sort of pseudo-Latin for pepper paste.

Approximately 60 percent of the paste consists of anchovies and is usually consumed by spreading it on hot buttered toast.

First designed in the depths of the Victorian era, the paste is made from anchovies along with spices and butter.

AB Foods, which bought the manufacturing rights to Gentleman’s Relish two decades ago, said: ‘Although this Victorian delicacy has a niche and loyal following, unfortunately it has no wider commercial appeal and retailer distribution has declined despite our best efforts.

‘Sadly we ceased production at the beginning of this year as Gentleman’s Relish was no longer commercially viable and we were unable to find a buyer for the brand.’

James Bond writer Ian Fleming was a fan and would order the paste, served with scrambled egg on toast (a dish known as Scotch snipe), when dining at London’s historic restaurant Scott’s.