pkingmartin
Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1
Blended Malt — USA
Reviewed
November 20, 2021 (edited December 28, 2021)
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.
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@pkingmartin I really like westward actually :) Seems this one is back on the table 🤔
@Anthology Absolutely. Shoot me an email. It’s my Distiller username with a gmail domain. We can swap inventories and coordinate a trade. I’m no expert, but happy to share some thoughts on what’s worked for me.
@ctbeck11 Yes would be interested! Let’s work that out. I’m sure I got stuff you want. Be warned though, this would be my first sample xchange so would need some guidance. Omw to Toronto as we speak but will reach out when I’m back. Let me know how to get ahold of you / next steps.
@ctbeck11 & @pkingmartin Thanks! That helps! The Ironroot sold out fast. I’ll be on the lookout for future LL Ironroot releases. I have the original cask strength distillery bottling of Harbinger (50/50 euro & American oak) aged about 3 (yeah that weird-shaped bottle. Looking forward to cracking that and would like to do a SbS with the LL bottling. Would be interesting if the LL release is better than the distillery release haha
@Anthology And if you’re interested, I’d be happy to send some samples your way, if you’d like to give them a try. I have bottles of the two Ironroots, Balcones, and Del Bac #5.
@Anthology I have a sample of LL #8 Balcones that is very good. I just snuck a few sips and will hopefully get to a review tomorrow, but initial tasting is a 4. I haven’t tried any of the Del Bac versions, so can’t say either way.
@Anthology I had Del Bac #5, but assuming it’s similar to the others. I preferred the Balcones over it. The two Ironroots were my favorite. And I liked all of the above more than this vatted offering.
@ContemplativeFox Thanks, I think this can easily go both ways. Have you had Westward whiskey? This seems Westward IPA hoppy flavor heavy on the palate and finish with some peated Balcones coming through. If you’re a fan of that hoppy Westward this will likely be amazing.
@ContemplativeFox You and me both. Was looking at this one, the LL Balcones barrel #8, LL DelBac barrel #6 & #7. Anyone tried all four & can make a reco? I think @ctbeck11 did but Dustin see a ranking. Don’t need another so so bottle…especially at the price point. Help!
I've read so many mixed reviews of this one, ranging from it's good but overpriced to it's amazing. I had been about to pull the trigger, but now I'm reconsidering... Great notes as always :)