Summer is finally upon us. And for the second summer in a row, Lost Lantern is introducing a collection of carefully curated bottles from bourbon distilleries across the country.
This release includes nine whiskies from twelve states across all three of its product lines: the second edition of Lost Lantern’s multi-distillery blend, Far-Flung Bourbon II; their Single Distillery Series, Mississippi Memory; and seven single cask releases. Two of these come from returning Lost Lantern partners, California’s Corbin Cash and Colorado’s Boulder Spirits. The other five are all first-time Lost Lantern partners.
Last year, Lost Lantern launched the “Summer of Bourbon” as their first collection focused solely on a single style of whiskey. Though the initial release of eight bottlings spanned several states and distilleries, it only scratched the surface of the sheer breadth of bourbon being made across the country. Lost Lantern Co-Founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski recognized that the subject warranted further exploration. “This year, we want to encourage whiskey lovers to keep exploring the increasingly wide world of bourbon, in all the forms that it takes from coast to coast,” said Ganley-Roper.
“Summer of Bourbon II shines a light on the true variety and depth that great bourbon can have,” added Polonski. “This Collection contains several firsts for us: our first Tennessee whiskey, our first finished bourbon, our first bourbon from a closed distillery, and our first bourbons from several new partners and states. We are delighted to once again celebrate summer with America’s iconic spirit.”
This year’s collection is Lost Lantern’s largest. Because of that, Summer of Bourbon II will be released in two groups. Last Thursday (June 20), Lost Lantern blends Far Flung Bourbon II and Mississippi Memory went on sale.
Far-Flung Bourbon II is a multi-distillery blend consisting of juice from Indiana’s Starlight Distillery, New York’s Kings County Distillery, Mississippi’s Rich Grain Distilling Co., West Virginia’s Smooth Ambler, and Wisconsin’s Wollersheim Distillery. The second edition of Lost Lantern’s flagship bourbon brings together bourbons from states and distilleries that have never been blended before. Far-Flung Bourbon II highlights distilleries from the eastern half of the country, ranging from cooler northern climates to the hot, humid Deep South. The result is a 5-year-old 126.6 proof spirit that yielded 697 bottles. It retails for $100.
Mississippi Memory Rich Grain Distilling Straight Bourbon is the brand’s first release from a ghost distillery partner. Rich Grain Distilling was founded to create a whiskey that truly reflected Mississippi’s hot, humid climate. Although the distillery closed in 2020, the whiskey continued to age, and this marriage of the distillery’s 5- and 7-year-old bourbons celebrates its founder David Rich’s original vision for a true Mississippi bourbon. The result is 500 bottles of a 140 proof spirit that retails for $90.
On Thursday July 11, Lost Lantern Summer of Bourbon II Single Casks will be available for sale.
Corbin Cash California Straight Bourbon Single Cask is a 7-year-old 146.2 proof spirit of which 200 bottles are available for $130/per bottle.
Woodinville Washington Straight Bourbon Single Cask is aged 6 years and is 116.9 proof. It yielded 200 bottles and is available for $100.
Union Horse Kansas Straight Bourbon Single Cask is a 5-year-old 119.9 proof spirit of which 200 bottles are available for $90/per bottle. This is Lost Lantern’s first whiskey from Kansas.
High Wire South Carolina Straight Bourbon Single Cask is aged 3 years and is 117.4 proof. It yielded 200 bottles and is available for $120.
Lost Lantern’s first-ever Tennessee Whiskey comes from Leiper’s Fork Distillery, Leiper’s Fork Tennessee Whiskey Single Cask is a 5-year-old 115.8 proof spirit of which 123 bottles are available for $100/per bottle.
Rock Town Arkansas Straight Bourbon Single Cask is aged for 4 years and is 117.6 proof. It yielded 200 bottles and is available for $90. This is Lost Lantern’s first whiskey from Arkansas.
Lost Lantern’s first finished bourbon comes from longtime Lost Lantern partner Boulder Spirits. Boulder Spirits Armagnac Finished Colorado Straight Bourbon Single Cask was aged for 4.5 years in new oak and finished for 2.5 years in an Armagnac cask. The result is a 125.5 proof spirit of which 300 bottles are available for $120/per bottle.
Lost Lanern’s Summer of Bourbon II whiskies are available for purchase online, at select retailers in New York and California, and in the Lost Lantern tasting room in Vergennes, VT.
