LOST LANTERN INTRODUCES NEW SINGLE DISTILLERY SERIES

Independent Bottler Showcases a New Side of Top American Distilleries

WEYBRIDGE, VT (April 4, 2023)—Lost Lantern, the award-winning independent bottler of American whiskey, is excited to announce the launch of its new Single Distillery Series. For its debut, Lost Lantern closely collaborated with two of the most exciting names in American single malt whiskey: Balcones Distilling in Waco, TX, and Whiskey Del Bac in Tucson, AZ.

Each release in the Single Distillery Series is a blend of multiple casks all sourced from a single distillery. These whiskies allow the Lost Lantern blending team to deeply explore what makes a distillery unique and special, often by bringing together flavors in a new way and showing a new perspective on a distillery. “Balcones and Whiskey Del Bac are two of the leading voices in American single malt, and both have continuously broken new ground for over a decade,” said Lost Lantern Founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski. “We were thrilled to work closely with the Balcones and Whiskey Del Bac teams to create the inaugural releases in our Single Distillery Series.” These limited-edition bottlings will appeal to whiskey enthusiasts seeking new flavor combinations and fans of Balcones and Whiskey Del Bac excited to explore the breadth of what those distilleries have to offer.

The new series launches with three whiskies, all American single malts: “Gentle Giant” Balcones Distilling Texas Single Malt, “Desert Dessert” Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt, and “Mega Mesquite” Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt, all priced at $100/750ml.

The bottlings will be available for purchase starting April 26th online at LostLanternWhiskey.com and Seelbachs.com, as well as at select retailers in California, New York, and Alberta, Canada.

The new Single Distillery Series builds on Lost Lantern’s long-standing Single Cask series, which showcases unique whiskies from well-known distilleries and highlights distilleries that are otherwise difficult to access. “By bringing together several different casks, the whiskies in the Single Distillery Series allow us to explore the full range of flavor a distillery can offer,” commented Ganley-Roper. The series aims to showcase the versatility, breadth, and depth of some of Lost Lantern’s most beloved partners.

The Single Distillery Series will also enable Lost Lantern to make its whiskey more widely available. While all the releases in the series are still limited editions, with the largest being just over 1,000 bottles, the volume of the new series will help Lost Lantern ensure that whiskey lovers can access their releases more easily.

2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Lost Lantern. In addition to releasing the new Single Distillery Series, Lost Lantern has unveiled a new look, was named the 2023 American Independent Bottler of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards America in February and on March 30th was named the global Independent Bottler of the Year at the worldwide Icons of Whisky Awards Gala in London. This spring also marks the first time Lost Lantern will be available at select brick-and-mortar retailers in both New York and California.

LOST LANTERN SINGLE DISTILLERY SERIES WHISKIES:

Balcones Distilling is best known for big, bold, rich whiskies born in the Texas heat, yet it also produces elegant and delicate whiskies, often aged in used oak. Gentle Giant shines a light on this side of the Texas pioneer.

1. Lost Lantern “Gentle Giant” Balcones Distilling Texas Single Malt: a fruit-forward whiskey with notes of fresh apple, soft oak, dry spice, and a long finish. This single malt includes whiskey aged in European oak casks, an ex-bourbon barrel, and ex-apple brandy casks.

Proof: 115.2 | Bottles: 1,100 | $100

Named “Best American Single Malt Aged Under 12 Years” at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards 

Whiskey Del Bac’s mesquite-smoked Arizona single malts are a distinctly Southwestern answer to the worldwide tradition of peated whiskies. These two releases show two markedly different sides of what mesquited whiskey can be: boldly and powerfully smoky for “Mega Mesquite,” and rich, bright, and unctuous for “Desert Dessert.”  

2. Lost Lantern “Desert Dessert” Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt: a smoky, nuanced, and elegant whiskey with notes of roasted orange, apricot, sweet nectarine, and golden raisin. Made with Whiskey Del Bac’s mesquite-smoked mashbill and partly finished in Sauternes and Pineau des Charentes casks.

Proof: 113.8 | Bottles: 450 | $100

Named “Best American Single Malt” at the Fall 2022 John Barleycorn Awards 

3. Lost Lantern “Mega Mesquite” Whiskey Del Bac Arizona Single Malt: an intense and fiery whiskey with notes of burnt orange, full oak, fiery spice, and rich, savory smoke. A blend of three heavily mesquite-smoked casks, this is one of the smokiest whiskies ever to come from Whiskey Del Bac.

Proof: 120 | Bottles: 180 | $100 

The first three entries in Lost Lantern’s Single Distillery Series will launch on April 26th. Other releases in the series, which will range across all styles of American whiskey, will be released starting later this year.

ABOUT LOST LANTERN

Founded by Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, Lost Lantern is an independent bottler of American whiskey. In 2023, they were named Independent Bottler of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards America. The company seeks out the most unique and exciting whiskies being made across the U.S. and releases them as single casks and blends, always with a deep commitment to transparency. Currently, the portfolio consists of American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1, an award-winning blend of American single malt whiskey made in collaboration with six U.S. distilleries, 40 single casks (14 of which are available now) and three whiskies from the new Single Distillery Series. Subscribe to Lost Lantern’s newsletter to learn about new offerings as they become available. Lost Lantern Whiskey is available for purchase at LostLanternWhiskey.com, at Seelbachs.com, and at select retailers in California, New York, and Alberta, Canada. 

Engage with Lost Lantern Whiskey on the following channels:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lostlanternwhiskey
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/lostlanternwhiskey
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LostLanternDram

High Parkland 16 Year Old “Dramfool” Single Cask Orkney Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $129.99 View

Caol Ila 14 Year Old “Dramfool’s Middle Cut” Cask #313329 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $139.99 View

Caol Ila 14 Year Old “Dramfool’s Middle Cut” Cask #313321 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $139.99 View

Lochindaal 12 Year Old “Dramfool” Port Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $229.99 View

Port Charlotte 13 Year Old “Dramfool” Rum Cask Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $249.99 View

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Cardrona Distillery launches ‘Full Flight’, two seven-year-old single cask whisky expressions

New Zealand’s premier single malt producer, Cardrona Distillery, has unveiled two milestone single-cask whiskies to mark seven years in oak. The new ‘Full Flight’ expressions have been carefully hand-selected by Distillery Founder Desiree Reid from two very special ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry casks.

Created to showcase the progress of Cardrona’s single malt, the new additions will join Cardrona’s portfolio of award-winning single cask whiskies, which includes their critically acclaimed ‘Just Hatched’ single cask releases, which sold out in a matter of days, and their five-year-old counterpart ‘Growing Wings’.

The rich Cardrona Full Flight Single Cask Release Sherry bottling was matured for seven years in a González Byass Oloroso sherry butt then transferred to a Pedro Ximénez butt for a decadent finish.

Bottled at 67.2% ABV, flavours of hot cross buns laden with spice, combines with sun-scorched nectarine and a drizzle of Cardrona’s signature borage flower honey. £125 for 350ml.

The exquisite Cardrona Full Flight Single Cask Release Bourbon was matured in an ex-Breckenridge Bourbon cask for seven years. With a 66.9% ABV, flavours of honeyed Central Otago apricots, seasoned with applewood and vanilla are finished with a dollop of rich cream custard. £125 for 350ml.  

Founder Desiree Reid said: “We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of ‘Full Flight’, taking us another step closer towards the release of our signature ten-year-old, and symbolising the last stage of our progress report journey.” 

Cardrona’s whiskies start life as a single malt base spirit, made from barley, yeast and Cardrona Alpine water. The whisky is then distilled in the distillery’s two copper pot stills, from Forsyths of Rothes, Scotland.

For whisky lovers and collectors, Cardrona’s progress report series maps the spirit’s journey towards its future signature 10-year-old.  Cardrona’s icon is named in honour of its guard, the New Zealand falcon – kārearea. It is often found perched at the end of the barrel house, and the bird famously stood on the neck of the wash still as it was craned into the distillery. 

www.cardronadistillery.co.uk 

Instagram:  @cardronadistillery     Facebook: @cardonadistillery    LinkedIn:@cardonadistillery

About Cardrona 

Cardrona is a unique brand, distilling hand-crafted luxury spirits in New Zealand’s stunning Southern Alps to share with the world. The Cardrona story is infused with the magic of the Cardrona Valley and the incredible vision and determination of founder, Desiree Reid, who sold her family farm to pursue her dream of building a modern, family-run distillery in her native New Zealand. She chose the Cardrona Valley for its unspoilt tranquillity, crisp clean air and the availability of superb quality local ingredients, perfect for foraging across the seasons. Most importantly, it gave her access to the crystal-clear, mineral-rich Alpine waters of New Zealand’s highest mountain pass for production.

A Massive New Haul from the Beloved Redacted Bros.

Our spirits buyers have just secured what can only be described as a treasure trove of singular K&L Exclusive Casks from one of our all-time favorite independent bottlers. The Redacted Bros. (a.k.a. the Thompson Brothers of Scotland’s Dornoch Castle) have routinely supplied us with some of the best-selling and most cherished whiskies we’ve taken in over the past decade or more, often at prices that will make any collector giddy with excitement. Sub-$70 bottlings from Craigellachie and Aultmore push new envelopes in collectible value, while stunning, old specimens from Glenburgie and Ledaig can be had for a fraction of what you’d pay for any other single malt approaching 30 years in age. A rare single-refill sherry butt from Laphroaig, so hardcore spirits fans can have a field day stocking their collections.

2010 Williamson (Laphroaig) 12 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Sherry Butt Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival)

This exceptional single cask was sold to this bottler as the “Williamson” blended malt and therefore cannot include the source on the label. But we have no problem telling you that this excellent whisky was distilled on the famous little stills located just outside the little seaside town of Port Ellen. Adorned in the throwback label, the Thompson Brothers, are clearly giving the old nudge nudge wink wink to the famous old bottling from nearly a century ago, with block letters and cursive writing. Filled into a used sherry butt in 2010, this excellent cask was transferred to Dornoch and bottled at a cool 100 proof without the use of coloring or chillfiltration. This is meaty old- school Laphroaig with big herbal notes and wild tropical fruit aromas balancing the savory smoke and ocean-y zestiness. An absolute treat for lovers of quality peat. Thompson Brother’s Tasting Notes: Nose: Pickled walnuts, sweaty farm shed, game meat; smoked pheasant, fatty & rich. Some old passive sherry notes. Cigar ends, a flinty minerality, antique books, clove cigarettes. Lots of generic modern Lp notes – it would be lazy for us to use them! Palate: Clove oil, eucalyptus, leather-bound books, waxed oak floorboards, pickled brine, smoked pineapple salsa. Finish: Menthol rolling tobacco, dry (peat) harth, sandalwood, camphor, chilli oil.

$109.99 View

2009 Craigellachie 13 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $64.99 View

Brothers Simon and Philip Thompson began bottling whisky in 2013 in Dornoch, their hometown. Two years later, they renamed their business Dornoch Distilling, and started distilling whisky soon after. They also produce special bottlings of aged rums and whiskys, like this one. Based in Speyside, Craigellachie is known for its bold, fruity, and aromatic single malts

2009 Aultmore 14 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single First Fill Red Wine Barrel Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $69.99 View

This unusual Aultmore was distilled in 2009 and filled into California red wine barrels at birth. Bottled at cask strength without the use of chillfiltration, it was hand selected by the Thompson Brothers for exclusive sale by K&L Wine Merchants in California.

1995 Glenburgie 27 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $200.00 View

This gorgeous barrel of ‘Burgie was hand selected by the brothers Thompson for us and bottled without chillfiltration at a natural cask strength of 53% abv. Aged for nearly three decades in a high quality refill hogshead, these old Glenburgies have incredible fruit character and tons of depth. A sister cask was bottled for the European market at slightly lower proof and has been well received. The awesome retro cartoon label is not the BEST reason to buy this awesome cask, but it’s not a bad one. Rich and fruity with hints of herbal and sugar character, few old Speysiders will beat this excellent cask if you’re looking for the fruit-driven malt the Burgie does so well.

1995 Ledaig (Unpeated) 27 Year Old “Redacted Bros.” (Thompson/Dornoch) Single Refill Hogshead Cask Strength Isle of Mull Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml) (Pre-Arrival) $200.00 View

This very unusual barrel is truly one of a kind. Produced with the fermentation and cut times of Ledaig, but with unpeated barley and aged in a refill hogshead, it was hand selected by the Thompson Brothers and sold partially in Europe as a 26 year old. The rest of the cask was bottled exclusively for sale at K&L. One of only 108 bottles and bottled at a moderate but still robust 92 proof without the addition of color or any chillfiltration of any kind.

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

We’ve just added the last drops of some unbelievable casks to our website. Returning from their travels out on the road, don’t miss the opportunity to grab a bottle or two before they disappear forever…but be quick, numbers are low and limited.

LET’S GO

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

GORDON & MACPHAIL UNVEILS LAST CASK FROM 1959 AS THIRD EDITION IN THE ‘MR GEORGE LEGACY’ SERIES

The latest whisky in the annual series to celebrate the legacy of George Urquhart – Gordon & MacPhail’s last ever cask from 1959 – has been launched this week.

Matured in a Gordon & MacPhail cask for more than six decades, the Mr George Legacy 1959 from Glen Grant Distillery features a genealogy chart on the label, box and certificate, highlighting the importance of guiding principles handed down from one generation to the next.

‘Mr George’ as he was known, joined his father, John, at the family business ninety years ago in 1933 and became a key advocate of single malt whisky at a time when most whisky was used for blending purposes. Referred to by renowned whisky writer Charlie MacLean as ‘the father of single malt’, George Urquhart was a firm believer in fairness, understanding, the importance of community and planning, guiding principles that are honoured at Gordon & MacPhail to this day.

The whisky was matured in cask no. 3665, a first-fill Sherry butt. Just 368 bottles are available at a remarkable cask strength of 56.5% ABV, providing a rich and complex dram that retains a subtle smokiness not found in modern Speyside whiskies.

Distilled on Thursday 15^th October 1959, this 63-Year-Old edition of the Legacy Series – the third – has an RSP of £6,499*.

On the nose, fragrant autumnal spice aromas intertwine with sweet, dried fruit and demerara sugar. To taste, stewed red fruit flavours lead to Seville orange with a hint of garden mint.  Tart raspberry notes then develop, accompanied by cocoa powder and mature oak, before giving way to a full finish with lingering notes of cinnamon and forest fruits.

Stuart Urquhart, grandson of Mr George and Gordon & MacPhail’s Operations Director, said: “Ninety years ago, my grandfather, Mr George, joined Gordon & MacPhail as an apprentice to his father, John, and his philosophy and principles live on through the business today.

“Mr George’s attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality remain the foundation stones of our business, along with a forward-looking approach and refusal to bow to convention. This greatly aged single malt whisky is a fitting tribute to this ethos.”

Charlie MacLean, whisky expert, remarked: “A magnificent old whisky, wonderfully complex, but still lively in notwithstanding its advanced age. Another worthy tribute to Mr George Urquhart, the man who put malt whisky on the map.”

Celebrating its 125^th anniversary in 2020, Gordon & MacPhail has built up an impressive collection of whiskies from over 100 distilleries maturing in its warehouses, a testament to the close relationships forged with Scotland’s distilleries over many decades.

For more information, visit www.gordonandmacphail.com

#GordonandMacPhail

Gordon & MacPhail Mr George Legacy 1959 from Glen Grant Distillery

Glen Grant 1959

56.5% ABV

Filled: 15 October 1959

Bottled: 02 November 2022

Age: 63

Cask Type/ Number: First-Fill Sherry Cask, 3665

Outturn of 368 bottles

Tasting notes:

Aroma

Fragrant autumnal spice aromas intertwine with sweet, dried fruit and demerara sugar. Soft citrus zest comes to the fore alongside beeswax polish and walnut.

Palate

Stewed red fruit flavours lead to Seville orange with a hint of garden mint. Tart raspberry notes develop accompanied by cocoa powder and mature oak.

Finish

A full finish with lingering cinnamon and forest fruits.

About Gordon & MacPhail Whiskies:

For over 125 years, Gordon & MacPhail has been driven by a simple mission: to create single malt Scotch whisky of exceptional quality. Through four generations of family ownership, the company has matched spirit from over 100 Scottish distilleries to its own bespoke casks. It is this unique depth and breadth of experience that enables Gordon & MacPhail to combine oak, spirit and time to create a portfolio of iconic whiskies found nowhere else in the world.

• ‘Discovery’ – This flavour-led range is the perfect introduction to our portfolio of quality single malt Scotch whiskies
• ‘Distillery Labels’ – A range celebrating our long-standing relationships with Scotland’s distilleries
• ‘Connoisseurs Choice’ – The heart of our portfolio. Always unique, these non-chill-filtered, natural coloured, small batch expressions are genuine one-offs.
• ‘Private Collection’ – Greatly-aged single malts from celebrated, little-known, or closed distilleries specially selected by members of the Urquhart family
• ‘Generations’ – A prestigious collection of old, rare, and exclusive masterpieces

Since its launch last month, our latest Hearts & Crafts expression: Banyuls Cask has proved popular. It generated a lot of interest at Whisky Live in London last weekend, with people complimenting it’s perfectly-balanced sweet and smooth profile, but the most common question asked was, ‘What is Banyuls?’

Read our latest blog to find out more about this unique cask from our founder, Dan, in this Hearts & Crafts: Banyuls Cask Q&A.

LEARN MORE

Cotswolds Distillery Phillip’s Field, Whichford Road Stourton Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5EX

Hibiki Blender’s Choice Japanese Whisky (700ml)(Japanese Import) $320.00 View

The famously controversial Blender’s Choice was released quietly after the discontinuation of the famous 17 year old Hibiki in the Japanese market. While sometimes billed as that wonderful whisky’s replacement, it actually represents a very different place in the pantheon of Suntory products. A blend of Suntory’s finest stocks from 12 to 30 years of age with an average around 15 years, this whisky stands alone in showing the incredible prowess of the Suntory Blending team. Normally for sale only in Japan, it’s presence on our shelves is a glorious and welcome consequence of the changes to TTB regulation allowing the importation of 700ml bottles. Suppliers are extremely limited. ****PRESENTATION BOX NOT AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES. BOTTLES DO NO NECESSARILY INCLUDE THE BOX****

Email: wine@klwines.com
Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637)
K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA
San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA

Our cask curiosity and endless pursuit of flavour and extraordinary taste experiences has created some truly exceptional whiskies, available ONLINE NOW. Embrace your wild side this spring and explore our experimental and specialist casks. From shaved, toasted and re-charred (STR) to heavy toast, medium char (HTMC) styles to butts, barriques and bespoke barrels – there’s endless discovery to enjoy.

Embrace new flavour frontiers, click on over to our website to view our entire range of experimental and specialist casks OR keep on scrolling to discover some of our favorites.

ALL SPECIALISTS CASKS

BROWSE ALL THE BOTTLES

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video