PBMichiganWolverine
Ironroot Republic Texas Straight Corn Whiskey 2020 Single Cask #4 (Lost Lantern)
Corn — Texas, USA
Reviewed
October 23, 2021 (edited November 1, 2021)
First sip…yeah, we’re in Texas.
I’m a huge fan of what I consider (personally) as the best craft distillers US has to offer: Balcones and Garrison from Texas, DelBac from Arizona, McKenzie from New York, Westland from Washington State , and St George from California. Each has a distinctive regional character. Texas is the one that big and bold. Balcones and Garrison are easy to find, but Ironroot isn’t, at least not outside Texas. But, thanks to @jonwilkinson7309 , who sent me a generous pour, I got to finally try the other Texan out of the their triumvirate.
This is big, brash, and bold. Think Garrison Cowboy, minus a bit of the oak. Starts with a deep mahogany color, and noses off with oak , cedar, and spice. Taste hits you with heft —-plenty more of the oak, backed up with vanilla and cinnamon. If you like ECBP, or Garrison Cowboy, this is right up your alley. One key note: add a chunk of ice or some water. You’ll need it.
Personally, I’d rank this ahead of the Cowboy because of the price…$100 vs the $300-400 (which is silly for any bourbon ).
Now, keep in mind, this is a one-off Lost Lantern independent bottling. I’m not sure if the regular Ironroots are this bold. But this same bottle bought down the Lost Lantern website when it first came as an offering. If you see it…buy on sight, and consider it as saving $200-300 over the Cowboy.
Thanks @jonwilkinson7309 for the pour!
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@PBMichiganWolverine You and me both. I hadn't heard of either of these before Lost Lantern.
@ctbeck11 Interesting note about cedar ridge; I'll take that into consideration. At $110, it's a bit steep for a gamble. Spirit Works reviews in general haven't been great, but considering that their ryes that have been reviewed were 2 YO and the distiller review actually said it would be interesting to try again at 4 years, a CS IB at 5 years seems promising enough I might take the gamble at $80.
@ContemplativeFox I haven’t tasted either of them. I read somewhere that Cedar Ridge has a particularly light and fruity profile with their bourbons, so I figured it probably wouldn’t be a winner for me. And Spirit Works is a new one for me too.
@ContemplativeFox Cedar Ridge is the one from Iowa? And Spirit Works from California? Until Lost Lantern, didn’t know Iowa even had a distillery
@ctbeck11 Have you (or anyone else) tried the Cedar Ridge single malt or Spirit Works rye from Lost Lantern? I was thinking about picking them up along with this one.
@PBMichiganWolverine Thank you! Definitely interested in trying it. I’ll keep you posted if I pick up anything you might like to try. Other than the ones I sent your way recently, the only new bottle I have is Bardstown Fusion #6, but that’s not worth getting too excited over.
@ctbeck11 i just got the Lost Lantern bottling of it——will send over a pour. I’ve never heard of it as well, but the 4 grain distillation seemed interesting
@PBMichiganWolverine I haven’t, and it’s a new distillery for me. Had to look it up after you mentioned it. I’ve already far exceeded my monthly liquor budget, so will hold off on that one for now. Interested to hear your thoughts on it.
@ctbeck11 have you tried the Watershed by Lost Lantern ? I got that bottle as well, while picking this up.
@PBMichiganWolverine @jonwilkinson7309 Ironroot Harbinger (and the XC version) made it to Maryland a few months back, but I believe distribution is very limited in this area. Would love to try Hubris and some of their other core range offerings. Balcones and Ironroot are at the bleeding edge of what’s possible with corn whiskey, and this single cask showcases that beautifully. Kudos to Lost Lantern for bringing this one into the light.
@jonwilkinson7309 likewise. I think it’s a Texas only distribution. I did just buy this one, and the Ohio Watershed (Lost Lantern) as well
I think this is comparable to Ironroot's Hubris, although that's not a single barrel. Anyway, I'm very glad that Lost Lantern released this bottle (and a subsequent bourbon bottle) because I can't seem to find Ironroot anywhere lately.
@ContemplativeFox I’ve not—-I don’t think I’ve heard of Copperworks. Yeah so, I bought a bottle of this one as soon as @ctbeck11 pointed it out if it’s availability.
OK, with two 4.5s, I might need to get a bottle of this now. @PBMichiganWolverine Have you tried Copperworks single malt? TMK it's not available outside of Washington yet, but IMHO it's a substantial step up from Westland (though I havent tried Westland's new flagship yet).
@ctbeck11 wow…that’ll go fast. I just ordered one. It’s a $200 discount over a very similar Cowboy.
Excellent review. I just cracked my bottle last night, and it’s just as good as I remember. For anyone who may want a bottle, there are still a couple left from the stock they held back for a ‘rainy day.’ Highly recommended if you like ‘big, bold, and brash.’ https://seelbachs.com/collections/lost-lantern-whiskey/products/ironroot-republic-straight-corn-whiskey