Breaking Bourbon — Review: Single Cask #8 Balcones Distilling
Having had many whiskeys from Balcones Distillery, I wasn’t sure what Lost Lantern Single Cask #8 was going to offer me. Why involve a second party and not just get it from the horse’s mouth? It became clear rather quickly that there is value in curation. Single Cask #8 is incredibly bold and rich with its wealth of dark and roasted flavors and a deep barrel char. This is a dark bourbon both in color and taste.
InsideHook — Review: Sourced From All Over the US, Lost Lantern Is a Whiskey Nerd’s Dream
Founded by Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski and launched last fall — delayed from an April 2020 start because of you-know-what — Lost Lantern is an independent bottler of American whiskey.
“We source different casks and single malts from around the country,” explains Polonski, a former whiskey journalist. “This model has existed in Scotland for 200 years. It’s a great discovery method.”
The idea here is Lost Lantern is not only shining a light on smaller, regional distilleries, but also getting that whiskey out to a larger swath of the country. As well, these releases are specifically designed for whiskey connessours — they’re non-chill filtered and cask strength.
Gear Patrol — The 15 Best New Bourbon and Whiskeys of 2021 (So Far)
While it officially released late in 2020, Lost Lantern’s debut bottle is as delicious as it is innovative. Founded by a former Whisky Advocate writer and a liquor store manager, the brand follows in the footsteps of the independent bottlers and blenders of Scotland, which buy up barrels of aged whiskey from distilleries with extra stock and spin them into something new. This American Vatted Malt is the first blend of American single malt whiskeys from different distilleries, and it’s unlike anything I’ve tasted. Find exactly what went into it here.
Wine Enthusiast — The Coolest Cult Whiskeys May Come From a Corporate Warehouse, But No One Cares
Most of the top Kentucky distilleries and Bourbon brands are owned by international conglomerates. Beam-Suntory may house Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, but fans still clear shelves of its Booker’s Bourbon and Maker’s Mark Private Select. Italy’s Gruppo Campari may claim Wild Turkey, and Japan’s Kirin may hold Four Roses, but their Russell’s Reserve and Small Batch Limited Edition remain beloved.
Spirited Zine — 2021 Father’s Day Gift Guide
Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1 is a limited-edition bottling made from six of dad’s favorite distilleries from across the United States: Balcones in TX, Copperworks in WA, Santa Fe Spirits in NM, Triple Eight in MA, Westward in OR, and Virginia Distillery Co in VA. The result is a whisky with notes of chocolate-covered orange peel and fire-roasted fruits on the nose. The palate is complex and balanced, with rich baking spice, salted pretzel and hints of roasted barley surrounded by a savory smokiness. The long, warm finish has notes of milk chocolate and sea salt. Only 3000 bottles were produced.
Liquor.com — These Drinks Writers Started Their Own Spirits Brands
Two years ago, Adam Polonski was a journalist covering craft distilleries for a whiskey-focused trade magazine. Today, he’s a co-founder of his own brand, Lost Lantern, an independent bottler of American whiskey.
Polonski is among the small but growing group of media pros who have transitioned from writing about alcoholic beverages into the hands-on business of making spirits.
