Review: Lost Lantern Spring 2024 Single Cask Releases
Independent bottler Lost Lantern‘s spring collection has a name: The Midwest Collection, with a focus on bourbon and rye whiskeys (plus one wheat whiskey) from the center cut of the country. Seven total whiskeys are in this as-always tiny release, including one blend made out of rye sourced five of the six distilleries represented here.
Let’s try them out.
Lost Lantern Far-Flung Rye – Lost Lantern’s first blend of straight rye whiskey blends ryes ranging from four to nine years old from Cedar Ridge (IA), Middle West Spirits (OH), Starlight Distillery (IN), Tom’s Foolery Distillery (OH), and Wollersheim Distillery (WI). Surprisingly restrained, modestly grassy, with peppery notes on the nose. Sweetness is evident but gentle, layered beneath the classic aromas of spicy rye grain. Similar on the palate — initially very green and herbaceous, with a surprisingly quality that builds toward the finish. Notes of flambeed banana and peach are well represented, but the whiskey’s smoldering heat is notable even with ample water added. The spicy, peppery finish is yet another classic part of a big rye experience. 121.6 proof. 486 bottles. B+ / $100
Lost Lantern Starlight Distillery Indiana Straight Bourbon Single Cask – A 6 year old offering from Huber’s Starlight Distillery, with 2 of those years spent in Vermont. 60% corn, 20% malted barley, 10% rye, and 10% wheat. Rich dark chocolate notes on the nose, and plenty of wood to back it up. A bit dusty, with overtones of cloves and black pepper. Surprisingly approachable on the palate, at full strength the chocolate quickly fades into notes of gingerbread, candied cherries, banana chips, and a little bubble gum on the finish. Lightly grassy, with sesame notes emerging after the addition of some water, leading to a more rounded but slightly doughy conclusion. Definitely hitting its stride. 118.7 proof. 132 bottles. A- / $90
Lost Lantern Wollersheim Distillery Wisconsin Straight Bourbon Single Cask – 5 year old straight bourbon made from 66% corn, 22% rye, and 12% malted barley, all locally grown. The cooler climate has slowed the aging of this whiskey, leaving it punchy and heavy on the wood. Some hard-edged spice notes punctuate what is soon revealed to be a rather bruising, fiery palate, so heavy with rye that I could easily have been convinced it was a rye whiskey in the bottle. Dousing the whiskey with water doesn’t overly change the equation, which remains pungent and rather green as the finish builds, though some gentle fruit that creeps in periodically offers at least a bit of respite. 131.2 proof. 200 bottles. B- / $90
Lost Lantern Few Spirits Illinois Straight Bourbon Single Cask – Lost Lantern’s first bourbon sourced from Few is 70% corn, 20% rye, and 10% malted barley, aged for 5 years. Wood-forward on the nose, there’s a certain campfire quality to the whiskey here, which smolders with notes of red pepper and cloves, before a gentler baking spice character finally emerges. Stick with it. The spice selection on the palate is warming and autumnal, a pumpkin spice latte with elements of milk chocolate and cafe au lait, with almonds and Asian sesame cookies emerging on the finish. It’s worth noting that this is the only sample in the lineup that I completely finished, as its complexity rewards repeated visits. 124.6 proof. 200 bottles. A / $90
Lost Lantern Tom’s Foolery 9-Year-Old Ohio Straight Rye Single Cask – The elder statesman in this lineup, a 100% rye (mashed from 70% winter rye and 30% malted rye), 9 years old. To start off, there’s an excellent sense of balance on the nose, with a blend of intense barrel char, tall grass, and fresh cigar tobacco. Fruit lingers underneath — applesauce and some pear notes. On the palate, the whiskey grips you immediately and doesn’t let go. The bracing herbaceousness approaches a camphor character, becoming heady and intense. Powerful notes of lemongrass and more green tobacco provide a long and lingering journey across the tongue, and while a healthy splash of water can help tame the beast, it also gives the finished product something of a muddy character, particularly on the finish. A bit haphazard in the end. 116.5 proof. 170 bottles. B / $120
Lost Lantern Middle West Ohio Straight Rye Single Cask – A four-grain straight rye, aged 4 years. Spicy but inviting on the nose, with a distinct punch of cinnamon against a core of apple (no pun intended) and some toasted barrel notes. Increasingly floral and perfumed as it develops in the glass — while it also pushes the throttle down further on heavier wood aromas. With all that buildup, this rye is surprisingly easygoing on the palate, heavy on baking spices and a significant brown sugar character that offers plenty of sweetness to counterbalance the intense aromas on the nose. Notes of white flowers emerge in time for the finish, though nutmeg and cinnamon endure well beyond that. Despite the intense abv, it really stands up fine on its own without water — though a splash doesn’t hurt one bit. My favorite rye here. 126 proof. 197 bottles. A / $90
Lost Lantern Cedar Ridge Iowa Straight Wheat Whiskey Single Cask – 100% malted white winter wheat, 6 years old. Racier and bolder on the nose than the typical wheat whiskey — though that’s perhaps thanks to the 61%+ abv. Savory, smoldering char meets with notes of roasted almonds, then a light maritime, approaching seaweed. Big and brash on the palate, there’s a lot of grassy greenery here, moving into a tobacco quality as it develops. Some nutty sweetness adds nuance, with touches of chocolate taking the whiskey into a slightly candylike territory. Water allows a fruity note to develop that tempers the experience further — which it needs. 123.1 proof. 203 bottles. B+ / $90
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