Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1

I learned about Lost Lantern a few weeks ago through Distiller's Friday Wrap Up (have I missed previous news?).  What a lineup! A Sante Fe Distilling, mesquite smoked, cask strength, single barrel?  Sign me up.  A Cask Strength Ironroot corn whiskey?  I've been unsuccessfully hunting Ironroot Hubris for a while.  Score!  A cask strength vatted American malt incorporating whiskeys from seven of my favorite U.S. single malt producers?  I NEED THIS NOW. I placed an order immediately.  I was able to get this gem of a vatted malt, along with the Sante Fe and an apple brandy finished rye from New York Distilling Company.  Sadly, the Ironroot was already sold out. My shipment arrived late last week, and I opened the Vatted Malt without hesitation.  We all know that anticipation and high expectations can lead to disappointment, but not here. The nose is not at all what I expected.  It's sweet, fruity and perhaps a touch floral.  But powerful.  More reminiscent of a Speyside or unpeated Japanese whisky at full volume than a typical American malt whiskey.  Overall, the palate was more in line with my expectations, but it also presented some nice surprises.   It starts as a full, rich, mocha and malt.  Fans of Balcones will find themselves in very friendly territory.  But as the palate develops, there's fruitiness - apples and grapes, as well as a slightly spicy vegetal note (maybe fennel?) that mixes in quite nicely.   The finish brings notes of citrus and ginger with more maltiness, finally fading to an oaky vanilla.    It's a unique and complex ride. I found it just a bit hot straight out of the newly opened bottle, but the heat was tamed by about 15 minutes of resting in a glencairn.   I suspect I'll find a similar transformation after the bottle has been open for at least a few weeks. I have an open bottle of the first addition of Barrell's Vatted Malt, and a side-by-side comparison was inevitable.  The Barrell also uses only American malts, but tastes decidedly more Scotch-like in comparison.  The Lost Lantern came across as distinctly American - with a flair.  Which is better?  That will certainly be a matter of personal choice; I find both to be exceptional. Expect to see reviews of my other two Lost Lantern bottles soon. I simply cannot wait to see what else is in store. 

Nose - salted caramel, sweet floral notes, apple, peach, honey, yeast, plum, cocoa, vanilla, black pepper, clove, dry oak, grass, clay, subtle peat, cereal grain, moderate to high ethanol burn. Taste - sweet caramel, honey, green apple, orange blossom, clove, floral notes, citrus zest, black pepper, ginger, mint, plum, cereal grain, peach, spicy oak, light smoke, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing medium length with caramel, citrus zest, sweet floral, and spicy oak flavors. This offering is a great testament to the quality of American single malts. I agree with Jon’s assessment that it reads like a Speyside, one that’s been very mildly peated. It’s not as powerful and funky as a Benromach or Craigellachie, but maybe more like a Balvenie or a high quality Glenlivet. The palate hits with a rich caramel sweetness, balanced by nice floral, tart fruit, spice, and smoke notes. It’s deep and rich but also light and fruity. Overall, this is really good and rivals my favorite American single malts. I’m kicking around the idea of purchasing a bottle, but the $120 price tag seems a bit steep. This concludes my Lost Lantern tasting series. I really like what the company is doing and have subscribed to their newsletter, so I’m informed when they drop new releases. My favorite is definitely the Ironroot Republic single cask corn whiskey, but this is not too far behind. Another big thank you to @jonwilkinson7309 for providing all the Lost Lantern samples. This is a company worth following. Next, I’ll be heading back to Scotland to review a set of popular Glenmorangie offerings.

The nose is light and subtle that starts with fruits of canned peaches in syrup, apple picking on a cool fall day and golden plums then a light smoke develops showcasing bacon wrapped dates along with bit-o-honey candy that transitions to moderate spices of ginger, cloves, nutmeg, leather and cherry wood with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a thin-medium mouthfeel starting with caramelized brown sugar coated grilled peaches, apple cider cooked with a whole cinnamon stick and cloves, golden raisins then a medium smoke and spice mid-palate that slowly fades to a rubbery note similar to a stroll down the tire section of Walmart along with a mild youthful astringency, spices of ginger, nutmeg, and mild oak bitterness with medium ethanol burn. The finish is medium length with chocolate covered bacon wrapped dates, apple bread pudding, cloves, ginger, light oak and mild astringency. Overall this is a tasty and interesting whiskey that has an incredible nose with a mix of citrus, light smoked meats, rich candy, balanced oak and spice, but the taste is thinner than I expected starting with enjoyable citrus notes before the smoke takes over in a rubbery way along with either astringency or hoppy florals that finishes with some barbecue, citrus and youthful astringency or hoppy florals. A big thank you to @jonwilkinson7309 for the generous sample.

NOSE: Orchard fruit, butterscotch, herbal, woody, vanilla, char, spice, honey, touch menthol citrus and hazelnuts. It’s a touch raw, but generally sweet with a warm mid-matured craft profile with the woodiness sitting in the middle rather than upfront. It’s missing that mature fullness, but it’s far from unpleasant. PALATE: More woody and brown sugar/butterscotch profile here with some added biscuity notes, but its essence is similar to the aroma with an added touch of apricot. Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition 1 carries a bit more herbal and raw grain touches on the palate than on the aroma but, again, it’s far from unpleasant. FINISH: Med-long -> Grainy, woody, lemon peels, honey and butterscotch, that pulls down dryly and herbally, almost IPA Like (Westward).

Tasting neat: Nose presents sweet honey, fresh berries, peanut brittle, nougat, and very slight wood smoke. Palate offers more honey and vanilla, with the slightest peat smoke and cinnamon spice. Finish lingers with more wood spice and nougat.

Nice even and smooth whiskey with a malty, almost scorched caramel taste to it.