"Lost Lantern is one of the coolest hidden-gem independent bottlers in the American whisky scene." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer
You may not know the name Lost Lantern, but you surely know the name Balcones by now. Texas' flagshipcraft distiller has been setting the bar in the Lone Star state for years, and the quality coming out of this facility is first rate in nearly everything they do. Now to Lost Lantern, an upstart independent bottler from Vermont founded by the indefatigable Nora Ganley-Roper, someone whose obsession with the best American craft whiskeys has logged her more road trip and flight miles than she can count. They're not a household name yet, but among whiskey insiders, Lost Lantern is highly regarded for selecting and bottling some truly stunning juice from many of America's most outstanding craft distillers, in the tradition of the revered independent bottlers in Scotland.
The Gentle Giant is made from 100% Golden Promise barley rather than Balcones' customary blend of Golden Promise and Texas-grown barleys. Aged for 3-4 years in a mix of ex-bourbon, European oak, and apple brandy casks, it's a gorgeous nod to unpeated Scottish single malts, with bright, bold effusive aromatics and luxuriously sweet yet balanced flavors. "This 5.5-cask blended American single malt from the pioneering Balcones distillery in Texas is a banger from start to finish," declares B-21 buyer Andrew Kitz. "It’s a fabulous introduction to a bottler that serious whiskey aficionados should know."
Lost Lantern is one of the coolest hidden-gem independent bottlers in the American whisky scene. Patterning their approach after the legendary independent bottlers of Scotland, they seek out and bottle incredible spirits from exceptional craft distilleries all across the United States. Some are single casks and some are blended, but they’re almost always impressive. This 5.5-cask blended American single malt from the pioneering Balcones distillery in Texas is a banger from start to finish. The nose is downright gorgeous from the get-go – elegant, super complex, and head-turning, with everything from graham cracker, marzipan, bruised apple, apricot, and peach cobbler to buttery pastry crust, sourdough, peanut butter cookie, and a very faint petrol whisper on the top. I could sit with this aromatic profile all day, but then comes the palate, and oh boy. Huge stone fruit flavors contrast beautifully with high-toned pear as the killer texture and weight carry just enough heat. Then complexity ramps up to eleven with clotted cream, lemon confit, sea salt, white chocolate, cotton candy, macadamia nuts, and lemon peel, all leading to an exceptionally long, floral finish. It’s a fabulous introduction to a bottler that serious whiskey aficionados should know.
95 points, Andrew Kitz, B-21 Spirits Buyer (Jul 2026)
A blend of 5.5 casks from Texas distillery Balcones, this whiskey has a burnished-gold hue and mild almond aroma. The palate carries over that almond note, mixing it with hints of pear and white flower. Adding water coaxes a hint of marzipan sweetness. The long, drying finish includes grapefruit peel, ginger sparks and a faint smoky waft.
95 points, Kara Newman, Wine Enthusiast (Jul 2024)
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