Summer of Bourbon Road Trip: Lost Lantern Still Austin Single Cask
We are gearing up for the release of the Lost Lantern Summer of Bourbon Collection on July 26th. This special collection shows that great bourbon comes from all across the United States. To kick things off, we’re launching a virtual road trip feature to introduce you to each of the distilleries in the Collection and help get you in the mood for their whiskies. Today’s stop: Still Austin Whiskey Co., located in the heart of Texas’s vibrant capital city, and our first Still Austin single cask!
Still Austin Distillery Overview
Proudly Texan and loudly Austin through-and-through, Still Austin Whiskey Co. is committed to making grain-to-glass whiskies that reflect the Texas climate and celebrate the culture of its vibrant capital.
It’s rare to find an urban distillery on the scale of Still Austin, especially in a city the size of Austin. But Still Austin is a rather sizable distillery, complete with a beautiful tasting room and lots of outdoor space–fitting for Texas. The distillery works exclusively with Texas-grown grains, but it has perhaps become most familiar for its support of artists and musicians. This support is reflected in every one of Still Austin’s labels, and even in the name of two of its flagship products: The Artist and The Musician. But, of course, it’s their whiskey that attracted us to the distillery.
Lost Lantern Still Austin Single Cask Details
This is Lost Lantern’s first release from Still Austin, and our first high-rye bourbon from Texas.
Aged for 4 years in a 53-gallon barrel, this was made from 70% corn, 25% rye, and 5% malted barley, all grown in Texas. It has notes of vanilla, dried orange, clove, and chocolate brownie on the nose. The sweet and spicy palate balances oak and baking spice flavors with notes of walnut cake and candied orange. A bold and vibrant Texas straight bourbon whiskey, and a great way of exploring how one of our favorite styles of bourbon–high-rye bourbons–changes when made with local grains in a hot climate. To us, high-rye bourbon is one of the most iconic styles of bourbon (and one of our favorites). And that means this Texas whiskey is directly comparable to other bourbons in that style that you’ve tried from other parts of the country. We think it not only stands up forcefully in comparison, it also has something distinctly its own to offer. It is not just a high-rye bourbon. It is a Texas high-rye bourbon, and that can be quite a different beast. Try it yourself and find out.
Lost Lantern Still Austin Cocktail Recipe: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
For our single cask bourbons this summer I wanted to explore the original cocktail. What we now know as the old fashioned used to just be called “An {insert spirit here} cocktail.” Spirit, sugar, bitters. That’s it. Some time in the 1870’s people started to order more complicated cocktails and sooner or later someone got fed up with the extra stuff and said, “Give me a cocktail, you know the old-fashioned kind.” All we have to do is tweak one of those basic ingredients and we’ve got a whole new, old-fashioned to explore.
What we love about Still Austin is the use of local, Texas-grown grain to make some incredible whiskies. This seems like a great chance to try a syrup, shrub or cordial from a local producer. Often farmers markets are great places to get cocktail inspiration. See who is making something delicious in your backyard and sample what they’ve got. Think how that flavor is going to contrast with the flavors of bourbon. A little acidity can be a great balance for the sweet vanilla notes that come from oak aging. Obviously I can’t tell you what your locally inspired Lost Lantern Still Austin old fashioned is going to look like, but I can tell you what I made for myself. Where I live, in Oakland there isn’t a better local syrup producer than Small Hand Foods Co, founded by cocktail genius Jennifer Colliau. So I made my old fashioned with her famous pineapple gum syrup. I complimented the tropical pineapple with a local passionflower bitter. Don’t be afraid to try unique flavors here, the recipe is just Bourbon, plus sweetener, plus bitters. That’s all there is to it. When in doubt, remember what they say, “Keep Austin Weird!”
Still Austin Cocktail Instructions: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
2 oz Lost Lantern Still Austin Single Cask Bourbon
.5 oz Small Hands Foods Pineapple Gum Syrup
2-3 dashes Workhorse Rye Passionflower Bitters
- Combine all ingredients together with ice in a mixing glass and stir.
- Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a fresh edible flower and a tiki umbrella. Why let the rum drinkers have all the fun?
-California State Manager Drew Record
Lost Lantern Still Austin Food Pairing
BOOZY BBQ SAUCE
A few things come to mind when I think of Texas and BBQ is one of them. This sweet and spicy BBQ sauce is made using Lost Lantern Still Austin Texas Straight Bourbon. No need to worry with precise chopping in this recipe because the sauce will be blended at the end. I like this slathered on a rack of ribs, but it’s also great slathered on chicken, burgers, pork chops, and more. If you like your sauce on the spicier side feel free to add a little chili powder.
BOOZY BBQ SAUCE:
Yield: 2 cups
Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium onion – chopped
1 stalk celery – chopped
4 cloves garlic – minced
2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
½ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
¼ cup packed brown sugar
Kosher salt
Black pepper
2 tablespoons Lost Lantern Still Austin Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Directions:
- Into a large saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, garlic and saute until softened.
- Add ketchup, water, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce, brown mustard and sugar. Mix until combined.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat and continue cooking until sauce begins to thicken. Stirring as necessary.
- Using an immersion blender, or transfer to a traditional blender, and blend until smooth.
- Return BBQ sauce to saucepan, add bourbon. Mix to combine. Check for seasoning. Add salt, pepper if necessary.
-Marketing and Brand Manager Paula Jones
Lost Lantern Still Austin Music Pairing
What road trip, virtual or otherwise, would be complete without a playlist… especially a trip to Austin, the music capital of Texas? California state manager Drew Record has curated a unique listening experience for your next trip to Austin… whether you’re flying there for SXSW, taking a grand road trip through Texas, or just enjoying a glass of whiskey in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy!
Lost Lantern Still Austin playlist [Spotify]
Still Austin Area Recommendations
For each of the distilleries in the virtual road trip, we solicited tips from the distillery team for what you should do if you decide to make your road trip not virtual and visit in person. Austin, Texas, of course, is very much worth a visit for many reasons. Besides for, of course, visiting the distillery, here are some tips for a trip to Still Austin, straight from their team:
“A few of my personal recommendations: Casino El Camino and Nickel City for bars (both serve our spirits!). Deep Eddy pool is only $5, but Austin Motel sells pool passes for those looking to spend a little more to swim at an iconic Austin spot. Little Brother for the best bar on Rainey! Paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake is pretty sweet!”