Lost Lantern Explores High vs. Low Proof in New Spring Collection – American Whiskey News
Lost Lantern Explores High vs. Low Proof in New Spring 2026 Collection
Curated pairings invite whiskey lovers to explore one of whiskey’s emerging debates
Vergennes, VT — This spring, Lost Lantern, the Vermont-based independent bottler of American whiskey, turns its focus to one of the most spirited discussions in whiskey today: high proof versus low proof.
While high-proof whiskies, especially hazmat whiskies (those bottled at 140 proof or higher), have developed a true cult following among dedicated whiskey drinkers, many whiskey lovers have yet to encounter these intense, powerful whiskies. At the same time, a growing faction of whiskey enthusiasts are gravitating toward lower proof whiskies, embracing their balance and approachability. Lost Lantern’s Spring 2026 Collection is a nod to both movements.
The Spring 2026 Collection was created in honor of Lost Lantern’s newest flagship release: Far-Flung Bourbon 100 Proof, the first non-cask strength whiskey in its award-winning bourbon series. Painstakingly slow-proofed to 100 proof, the whiskey is being released alongside the limited, cask strength Far-Flung Bourbon IV. The collection also includes eight cask strength single casks presented in four curated higher- and lower-proof pairings. Rather than declaring one style superior, the collection invites whiskey drinkers to explore how proof shapes aroma, texture, structure, and overall experience across styles and regions. The single casks include whiskies from three returning partners (Boulder Spirits in Colorado, Copperworks in Washington, and New Riff in Kentucky), as well as five new partners: Day’s Defile in Idaho, Montgomery Distilling in Montana, Dread River Distilling Co. in Alabama, ASW Distillery in Georgia, and Broad Branch in North Carolina.
“As the industry evolves, we’re seeing passionate camps emerge around proof,” said Nora Ganley-Roper, co-founder and Head Blender at Lost Lantern. “Some people seek intensity and power. Others prefer balance and approachability. We’re not choosing sides: we love both higher- and lower-proof whiskies! Instead, we’re exploring what each proof reveals about the whiskey itself and encouraging whiskey lovers to make these comparisons for themselves.”
“There is no perfect proof for whiskey,” said co-founder Adam Polonski. ”It depends not just on the distillery and the whiskey, but also on when and why you’re drinking it–whether you’re enjoying whiskey on the rocks with friends, or slowly savoring a very high-proof dram to close out an evening. Proof is just one part of a whiskey’s story, and this collection explores that.”
Spring 2026 Collection at a Glance
To encourage whiskey lovers to dive in and compare these whiskies to each other, the whiskies are being sold both individually and in bundles online and at select retail partners.
Far-Flung Bourbon Pairing
- Far-Flung Bourbon IV – 120.7 proof | 120 bottles | $100
• Far-Flung Bourbon 100 – 100 proof | 758 bottles | $80
High–Low Single Malt Pairing
- Boulder Spirits Colorado Single Malt 7 Years Old – 138.7 proof | 173 bottles | $140
• Copperworks Distilling Washington Single Malt – 120.6 proof | 210 bottles | $100
High–Low Mountain Bourbon Pairing
- Day’s Defile Idaho Straight Bourbon 10 Years Old – 154.4 proof | 126 bottles | $140
• Montgomery Distillery Montana Straight Bourbon – 104.6 proof | 207 bottles | $100
High–Low Southern Bourbon Pairing
- Dread River Distilling Co. Alabama Straight Bourbon – 141.8 proof | 158 bottles | $140
• Fiddler Soloist Georgia Straight Bourbon – 129.9 proof | 146 bottles | $100
High–Low Rye Pairing
- Broad Branch Distillery North Carolina Straight Rye 8 Years Old – 141.6 proof | 174 bottles | $140
• New Riff Distilling Kentucky Straight Rye – 115.1 proof | 172 bottles | $100
All releases are non-chill-filtered and have no added color, and all single casks are released at natural cask strength.
The Spring 2026 Collection will be available individually and in bundles on Wednesday, March 25th via LostLanternWhiskey.com, Seelbachs.com, at, select retailers in CA, NY, MA, and RI, and at the Lost Lantern Tasting Room in Vergennes, VT.
Explore the Spring 2026 Collection by Pairing
THE FLAGSHIP FAR-FLUNG PAIRING
- Far-Flung Bourbon IV | 120.7 proof | 120 bottles | $100
• Far-Flung Bourbon 100 | 100 proof | 758 bottles | $80
At the center of the Spring Collection is Lost Lantern’s flagship blend, Far-Flung Bourbon, released for the first time ever in two different proofs.
Both whiskies share the same blend of straight bourbons from seven distilleries in seven states: Baltimore Spirits Co.(MD), High Wire Distilling Co. (SC), Rich Grain Distilling (MS), SanTan Spirits (AZ), Still Austin Whiskey Co. (TX), Whiskey Acres Distilling Co. (IL), and Wollersheim Distillery (WI). Far-Flung Bourbon reflects the idea that great bourbon comes from all across the country.
“For this release, we took the exact same blend and expressed it in two ways,” explained Nora. “Proof isn’t just about alcohol level. It changes how aromas open, how texture develops, and how flavors integrate. Releasing both versions side by side lets people experience that shift in structure and balance for themselves.”
Far-Flung Bourbon IV at cask strength highlights depth and layered spice, while Far-Flung Bourbon 100 emphasizes integration, approachability, and harmony. Both showcase warm oak, bright spice, citrus lift, and layered vanilla, with proof shaping how each trait presents itself
HIGH–LOW SINGLE MALT PAIRING
- Boulder Spirits Colorado Single Malt 7 Years Old | 138.7 proof | 173 bottles | $140
• Copperworks Distilling Washington Single Malt | 120.6 proof | 210 bottles | $100
Although produced in different states, these American single malts share key traits: unsmoked barley, traditional copper pot stills, and maturation in new oak barrels. This pairing reveals how proof interacts with malt character, oak influence, and climate-driven expression.
Boulder Spirits (Higher Proof)
100% malted barley, aged 7 years in new oak. Spicy oak, clove, red pear, and pomegranate lead to a dense, powerful palate with underlying sweetness. A bold crossover for bourbon drinkers exploring American single malt.
Copperworks (Lower Proof)
Distilled from five malted barleys with different roast levels and aged 3 years in new oak. Clove and milk chocolate on the nose, with honeyed cereal, cardamom, and baking spice on a balanced, malt-forward palate.
HIGH–LOW MOUNTAIN BOURBON PAIRING
- Day’s Defile Idaho Straight Bourbon 10 Years Old | 154.4 proof | 126 bottles | $140
• Montgomery Distillery Montana Straight Bourbon | 104.6 proof | 207 bottles | $100
The Rocky Mountains are an emerging American whiskey region extending beyond Colorado into Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Utah. High elevation and dry air contribute to deeply concentrated spirits that can be bold and powerful, or rich and nuanced.
Day’s Defile (Higher Proof)
The oldest whiskey ever released from Idaho, distilled at a now-closed distillery and aged further by Day’s Defile. Made from 76% corn, 11% triticale, and 13% malted barley, it bursts with French vanilla, black cherry, and intense oak. The palate is powerful, layered with clove and nutmeg.
Montgomery Distillery (Lower Proof)
A wheated straight bourbon from Montana made from 70% corn, 20% wheat, and 10% malted barley, aged 4 years. Warm cinnamon and clove on the nose, with vanilla and milk chocolate on a soft yet structured palate.
HIGH–LOW SOUTHERN BOURBON PAIRING
- Dread River Distilling Co. Alabama Straight Bourbon | 141.8 proof | 158 bottles | $140
• Fiddler Soloist Georgia Straight Bourbon | 129.9 proof | 146 bottles | $100
These two Southern bourbons reflect intensity and heat in different ways.
Dread River (Higher Proof)
Made from 60% white corn, 30% winter wheat, and 10% malted barley, aged 6 years. Bold and powerful, with chocolate and leather on the nose and dried clove, oak, nutmeg, and baking spice on the palate.
Fiddler Soloist (Lower Proof)
Made by the Atlanta-based ASW Distillery from 56% corn, 14% malted wheat, 10% malted rye, 10% malted barley, 7% smoked malt, and 3% chocolate malted rye, aged 7 years. Rich and chocolate-forward with cocoa powder, key lime, and dense oak on the nose. Deep and balanced on the palate.
HIGH–LOW RYE PAIRING
- Broad Branch Distillery North Carolina Straight Rye 8 Years Old | 141.6 proof | 174 bottles | $140
• New Riff Distilling Kentucky Straight Rye | 115.1 proof | 172 bottles | $100
This rye pairing from the Upland South demonstrates how proof shapes spice, texture, and aromatic complexity.
Broad Branch (Higher Proof)
Lost Lantern’s first hazmat rye. Made from 100% prairie rye and aged 8 years in a char 4 barrel. Minty and grassy on the nose with clove and butterscotch. Deep, powerful, and full-bodied with intense spice and dark chocolate.
New Riff (Lower Proof)
Lost Lantern’s first Kentucky rye, made from a 95% rye, 5% malted rye mashbill. Warm oak, vanilla, lemon, and clove on the nose. Fresh, grassy, and balanced on the palate with milk chocolate and eucalyptus.
ABOUT LOST LANTERN
Founded by Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, Lost Lantern is an award-winning independent bottler of American whiskey based in Vergennes, Vermont. Lost Lantern seeks out distinctive whiskies from across the U.S., releasing them as single casks and blends with a commitment to transparency.
Named Independent Bottler of the Year at the 2026 Icons of Whisky America Awards and the 2023 Global Icons of Whisky Awards, Lost Lantern has also seen both founders honored as Drinks Visionaries of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine, Drinks Innovators of the Year by SevenFifty Daily, named to the VermontBiz Rising Stars list, and named to Beverage Information Group’s 40 Under 40.
For more information, explore current and past releases, visit the tasting room, or sign up for the newsletter or Discovery Club at LostLanternWhiskey.com. Follow @lostlanternwhiskey on Instagram and Facebook.
