Variety is the spice of life, as the old adage goes. If you are interested in having access to unique variations of whiskey from across the United States, then Lost Lantern Whiskey might be a brand to keep an eye on. Let’s take a look at what makes this brand so special.
Lost Lantern Whiskey: An Introduction
Lost Lantern Whiskey is an independent bottler that prides itself on working directly with distilleries across the United States to find and bottle unique whiskeys. The brand aims to provide whiskey enthusiasts with unique blends, limited-edition whiskey releases, and new takes on whiskey that provide an exemplary drinking experience.
The whiskeys featured by Lost Lantern feature varying flavor profiles, as these liquors are distilled and blended in different locations. Some of the whiskeys’ flavors may be more classic, while others provide new takes on traditional alcohol. This brand has several varieties of whiskeys that are shelf staples and available year-round, while other special blends come and go based on the season and availability from distillers.
Lost Lantern Whiskey is a new take on a classic drink that aims to bring American whiskeys into the limelight and encourage upcoming stars in the whiskey world to shine bright.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Lost Lantern Whiskey?
Lost Lantern Whiskey ranges in alcoholic content due to the variety of different whiskeys carried by this bottler. In general, a whiskey needs to have at least a 40 percent ABV (alcohol by volume), and most whiskeys are bottled at 80 to 100 proof, which is 40 to 50 percent ABV. Check the label of the specific Lost Lantern Whiskey you are interested in for more specific details about its alcoholic content.
What Is the History of Lost Lantern Whiskey?
The independent bottler Lost Lantern Whiskey originated in September 2018 when this brand’s two founders, Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, quit their jobs in New York City and began an eight-month road trip to visit whiskey distillers all over the United States. This was the first step in the process of ensuring distillers were up to the standards the brand wanted to uphold and forming relationships with multiple distillers as part of the brand’s bottling process.
A significant amount of research is part of the Lost Lantern Whiskey process, and this research ensures that the distillers and whiskeys sold by the brand are high-quality. The brand now makes three distinctions between its products – blends, single distillery, and single casks.
Today, Lost Lantern Whiskey is the foremost independent bottler of American whiskeys, and the brand gives distillers a chance to create new and unique twists on the classic whiskey. Everything from blends to limited-edition bottles of whiskey is available through Lost Lantern, and the brand strives to provide a high-quality experience for whiskey drinkers and enthusiasts throughout the United States.
Where Is Lost Lantern Whiskey From?
Lost Lantern Whiskey comes from a variety of distillers throughout the United States. You can check the specific distillery and location where a whiskey product comes from by reviewing the label on your selected variety of whiskey.
When Was Lost Lantern Whiskey Created?
Lost Lantern Whiskey was created around 2018 and 2019 as the two co-founders went on an eight-month road trip across the United States. The first bottles of whiskey independently bottled by the brand were released soon after, and the brand continues growing and working with new distillers to this day.
What Types of Lost Lantern Whiskey Are There?
There are many different kinds of Lost Lantern Whiskey, including limited-edition releases, special blends, and single-cask or single-distiller whiskeys that showcase the best a specific distiller has to offer. It’s important to browse the currently available products that Lost Lantern is selling, as certain varieties of whiskey are only bottled by this brand in limited quantities.
In general, the whiskey varieties that Lost Lantern produces are split up into three different categories – blends, single distilleries, and single casks. Blends are created by working with blending teams from various distilleries to create a unique product with flavors unlike anything produced by the distiller alone.
Single distilleries are limited releases or unique whiskeys that are sourced from a specific distillery and are developed to showcase a different side of the distiller’s production abilities. Single casks are hidden gems that are sourced from varying distillers and are only released in a few hundred bottles on average, making them limited-time and unique products.
Lost Lantern Whiskey also utilizes the following categories for their whiskeys: blend series, single malt, straight bourbon, straight rye, and special whiskeys. You can review the labeling on their whiskeys to learn more about the distiller, the whiskey’s category, and what you can expect that specific whiskey to taste like.
LOST LANTERN WHISKEY AMERICAN VATTED MALT EDITION NO. 1
American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1 is one of Lost Lantern’s flagship whiskey blends. In fact, it's one of the first whiskey blends made in the United States. To get this product to your door, Lost Lantern first had to work with distilleries from all over Long Island and each one hand-selected barrels to use in this blend. What makes this blend even more impressive is that it was created in a single long day through blending, distilling, tasting, and coming up with new ideas.
The result is a smooth whiskey that incorporates flavors from up to 12 barrels! A few distilleries that Lost Lantern worked with include Balcones, Copperworks, and Santa Fe Spirits; these are only a few of all the distilleries they parented with to create this smooth and delicious blended whiskey. It's aged for 2 years, bottled at 105 proof, and made with a non-chill filtered distillation process.
LOST LANTERN WHISKEY Far-Flung Rye
Another one of Lost Lantern’s blends is their Far-Flung Rye whiskey. It's a true American rye whiskey that you'll come to love with each sip. The spicy flavor draws you in, but the finish is long, smooth, and earthy. This makes it a perfect rye whiskey for people who love a good sipping whiskey.
That said, it's a special release whiskey from across the Midwest, including regions like Iowa, Indiana, and many more. The blend consists of rye whiskey from several distilleries including Cedar Ridge Distillery, Middle West Spirits, and Tom’s Foolery Distillery, and Starlight Distillery. This gives the whiskey unique characteristics and flavors from rye whiskeys that have been aged for 4-9 years. It's bottled at 126 proof, made without chill filtration, and only 486 bottles were created.
LOST LANTERN WHISKEY Far-Flung Bourbon II
Far-Flung Bourbon II is the second iteration of Lost Lantern’s Far-Flung Bourbon. It's made from a collection of bourbon whiskey from across the United States. This specific blend is made from a combination of bourbons from Starlight Distillery, Smooth Ambler, Wollersheim Distillery, and Kings County Distillery, and of course, Lost Lantern. While the whiskey has a 5-year age statement, it consists of bourbons that have been aged for 5-7 years, so you get some older blends in there as well.
Bottled at 126.2 proof, this bourbon packs a punch. It's smooth, delicious, and perfect for sipping neat or with a splash of water. The aroma of spices draws you in, but the smoothness sees you right to your next sip along the finish. Like other Lost Lantern Whiskey products, it's made without chill filtration and no artificial colors are added.
LOST LANTERN WHISKEY FAR-FLUNG BOURBON
The original Far-Flung Bourbon is a blend of several bourbon whiskeys from distilleries around the Midwest. The four distillerys Lost Lantern partnered with on this one include Frey Ranch Distillery, Boulder Spirits, Still Austin Whiskey Co, and Watershed Distillery. Each whiskey in this blend has a three-year age statement, but it includes whiskey options that have 3-7 years of aging. When bottled, it sits at 136.8 proof, so it's one of the stronger bourbons you can find. We recommend sipping on this one neat, but at most, a splash of water or ice won't hurt.
Due to blending several bourbon whiskeys together, the flavors you find with each sip are like an adventure. The nose includes oak, spice, and even hints of clove. This is followed by a chocolate, more clove, and spicy flavor notes. The finish is long and sticks with you long enough to keep you craving that next sip.
LOST LANTERN WHISKEY FLAME
Lost Lantern outdid themselves with this Flame whiskey. It was named Best American Blended Malt at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards, so it's an award-winning spirit. What makes this whiskey delicious is how it's made. It's a combination of smoked American whiskies that bring a sense of warmth with each sip, hence the name. In this blend, whiskey from Whiskey Del Bac in Arizona and whiskey from Santa Fe Spirits in the New Mexico area are combined to bring you the perfect smokey sipping whiskey.
All whiskey in this batch is matured for at least one year but some components in this whiskey are aged for 4 years. The result is a whiskey that's potent, smooth, and perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks. It's bottled at 113.9 proof, non-chill filtered, and no artificial colors are added to the whiskey.
LOST LANTERN WHISKEY SHADOW
Another award-winning blended whiskey that won 94 points by Wine Enthusiast, Shadow is another one of Lost Lantern’s famous whiskey blends. It was created with the image of spending time around the fire with friends and family, so it has a comforting aroma and smooth warm taste that's bound to make you smile. The secret behind this whiskey is that it includes peated malts from across the United States. Malts from Colorado, Iowa, and even Oregon are included. This gives the whiskey unique spices and botanical notes from all of these regions, but all in one bottle.
Shadow was also made with several distilling partners including Boulder Springs, Cedar Ridge, and McCarthy’s. While it has a 4-year age statement, many parts of this whiskey have been aged for 7 years. It's bottled at cask strength, so it comes in at 126.3 proof. Like other Lost Lantern products, it's non-chill filtered and no colors are added.
LOST LANTERN WHISKEY MISSISSIPPI MEMORY RICH GRAIN DISTILLING STRAIGHT BOURBON
Mississippi Memory Rich Grain Distilling Straight Bourbon is on its way. While the distillery that Lost Lantern partnered with closed down in 2020, its memory lives on in this whiskey product. It was made with a mix of Rich Grain’s 5 and 7 year old whiskey bourbon. Because it was aged in a hot and humid climate, it has a distinct flavor that you can't find in other bourbons. It has notes of graham cracker, toasted oak, molasses, and much more. Ultimately, it's a true Mississippi bourbon that was born from remnants of Mississippi whiskey from the deep South.
Aside from making memories, this whiskey will also give you a buzz. It's bottled at 140 proof, non-chill filtered, and perfect for sipping. Only 500 bottles of this whiskey will be produced, so once it releases make sure you get to be a part of Lost Lanter’s history.
LOST LANTERN WHISKEY DESERT DESSERT WHISKEY DEL BAC ARIZONA SINGLE MALT
Desert Dessert Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt is an award-winning whiskey from Lost Lantern. It won the Best American Single Malt Award at the Fall 2022 John Barleycorn Awards. What propelled this whiskey to victory is how it's made. While many whiskeys use American oak barrels, this whiskey product uses mesquite wood barrels from Whiskey Del Bac, which gives the bourbon a smokier flavor than you expect. This added smokiness is worth every sip and is bound to keep you coming back.
Desert Dessert Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt is matured for up to 1 year and bottled at cask strength, so 113.8 proof. It's a whiskey meant for sipping neat, with a splash of water, or with a little bit of ice.
What Ingredients Are in Lost Lantern Whiskey?
The whiskeys produced by Lost Lantern may have varying ingredients due to the variety of distillers that produce these specific blends and other whiskey varieties. In general, whiskey is produced from a mixture of grains that are hand-selected by the distiller to create a certain flavor. Aging is done in oak barrels, and distillers may again make choices depending on the types of barrels, whether or not the barrels are charred, and how long to age their whiskey.
The slight variations in the ingredients and whiskey creation process are what create the unique and distinctive flavor of each bottle. Lost Lantern Whiskey will display any specific or notable ingredients on the labels of each bottle, and you can access specific tasting notes on the brand’s website.
How Much Does Lost Lantern Whiskey Usually Cost?
The price of Lost Lantern Whiskey varies depending on the specific type of whiskey and whether or not the whiskey is a limited-edition release or a special release. You can expect to pay between $70 and a few hundred dollars for a bottle of whiskey from this brand.
Depending on your state, you may be able to purchase Lost Lantern Whiskey in a local bar or restaurant. You can expect the cost of an individual serving to be similar to that of a top-shelf liquor or cocktail in your state.
What Is the Best Way to Enjoy Lost Lantern Whiskey?
The best way to enjoy Lost Lantern Whiskey is by drinking it the way you enjoy your favorite whiskey. You can serve your whiskey neat or on the rocks, or you can add a few drops of water to it to open up the flavors. You may also want to use your Lost Lantern Whiskey in a whiskey-based cocktail such as the classic old fashioned or whiskey sour.
In general, your whiskey is best served in a lowball glass or in a cocktail glass if it has been mixed into one. Whiskeys pair well with meats, nuts, and sweets, especially chocolate. You can serve your whiskey as a before-dinner drink or as an after-dinner nightcap – whenever you feel you want to relax and savor the flavors of one of Lost Lantern’s many quality whiskeys is the best time to enjoy them.
How to Choose a Good Lost Lantern Whiskey
Choosing a good Lost Lantern Whiskey is done by taking into account the type of whiskey you are looking for, your general price range, and the distiller. Lost Lantern Whiskey independently bottles a range of distinctive whiskeys, blends from multiple distillers, and limited-edition bottles – you should always check the currently available products to make sure the whiskey you are interested in purchasing is available.
Check the label on your bottle of Lost Lantern Whiskey to find this information, and consult tasting notes listed on the label or the brand’s website. If you know that you prefer a specific type of whiskey, such as a straight bourbon or a straight rye, you can browse these options to narrow down your choices and select a whiskey that you are most likely to enjoy.
Where Can You Find Lost Lantern Whiskey?
Lost Lantern Whiskey is primarily available online or through specific retail locations that the brand works with. You can use the Lost Lantern Website to see if your state is eligible for shipping or if a local liquor store carries the whiskeys bottled by this brand. You may also be able to find Lost Lantern Whiskey in local whiskey bars, but this is more difficult than purchasing the specific variety of whiskey you are interested in online.
Lost Lantern Whiskey FAQs
If you still have questions about Lost Lantern Whiskey, review our answers to frequently asked questions about this brand for more information.
How Does Independent Bottling Work?
Independent bottling is the process where whiskey distillers will sell extra barrels of whiskey to independent bottling brands, such as Lost Lantern, and independent blenders as a way of making additional income and ensuring that all of the whiskey produced by the distiller is utilized.
Independent bottlers and blenders will go through the process of creating special blends, bottling, and labeling the whiskeys, creating a unique set of flavors with their products, and allowing certain aspects of a distiller to shine through. With an independent bottler like Lost Lantern, the distillers working with the brand are carefully selected, and blends are curated to create the highest-quality whiskey experience possible.
Can I Find a Specific Distiller With Lost Lantern Whiskey?
You may be able to find a specific distiller you are interested in by looking at the labels of where each specific Lost Lantern Whiskey is produced. However, some varieties are blends and have a range of distillers, and if you are really interested in a specific distiller’s products, you may want to purchase one of their signature products instead of a blend curated with Lost Lantern.
Are Any of the Lost Lantern Whiskeys Global?
All of the whiskeys bottled by Lost Lantern are American whiskeys, and this brand prides itself on finding the best American whiskey distillers and curating products that shine a new light on American whiskey. You won’t find any global or international whiskey distillers utilized in the Lost Lantern Whiskey products.
Discovering Lost Lantern Whiskey
Lost Lantern Whiskey is an independent bottler dedicated to crafting unique blends of whiskey and showing off new sides to the whiskey products that distillers across the United States can produce. Keeping whiskey enthusiasts in mind, Lost Lantern Whiskey releases distinctive blends, limited-edition products, and invigorating whiskeys that are sure to become your new favorite thing to sip on.
