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.