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ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 1ST ~ HINT……
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
High–Low Single Malt Pairing
High–Low Mountain Bourbon Pairing
High–Low Southern Bourbon Pairing
High–Low Rye Pairing
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Through Glasgow’s seemingly interminable rain, hail and gale we can offer this little ray of sunshine, our 178th auction is now live! We have some really amazing drams in this month running the whole gamut of the whisky world. With so much to choose from we have picked out a few highlights to get your watchlist moving.
All the way from the land of the rising sun, by way of France, comes this fantastic dram the Karuizawa 1965 50 Year Old Single Cask #8636 for La Maison du Whisky. While not the oldest Karuizawa ever released this beauty isn’t far off, being distilled in 1965 and spending a frankly astonishing 50 years in cask before being bottled by French whisky specialists La Maison du Whisky.
Next up we have an unusual bottle from much closer to home, this is the Springbank Christmas 2011 Local Barley Private Shareholder Bottling. While this bottling doesn’t have the jaw-dropping vintage of our last highlight it is almost certainly just as rare. One of only 66 bottles released to private shareholders this one is, in the parlance of our times, rare as hen’s teeth.
This Midleton 30th Anniversary Pearl Edition was released to celebrate 30 years of Irish distilling giant Midleton’s ‘Very Rare’ range. A blend of one pot still whisky and one grain whisky, it was then married in a 4th fill bourbon barrel. The rather hefty and beautifully crafted presentation box also houses a little sample bottle, always a welcome addition to any lot.
Finally, we have another thoroughly aged dram bringing up the rear, this is the Glenlossie 1975 50 Year Old Kingsbury. As if Glenlossie bottles weren’t rare enough, this 50 year old must be up there with the oldest Glenlossie ever bottled and is one of only 107 bottles released. We have a number of excellent Kingsbury releases in this month so be sure to check them out.As always we have an enormous selection of drams to suit every budget on offer this month, so now is the time to delve into this month’s offerings and start building that watchlist.
Best of luck to everyone in the auction, and as always………..don’t lose your bottle.
We have also made some changes to our privacy policy this month which can be found here.
The masterclass schedule for this year’s Spirit of Toronto is now online.
Behold no less than seven sessions, guaranteed to leave you with greater insight into the craft, process and thought that goes into the making of great whisky. Click below to explore this year’s offerings:
With tickets going on sale Tuesday April 7 at 10am, you now have a couple of days to mull over the schedule, though rest assured that there are no wrong choices here. In fact, I envy all of you and the stellar drams you’ll be tasting next month, while I get to look on with baleful eyes… #noregrets
Happy April,
Johanna
Johanna Ngoh
Founder, Spirit of Toronto and Whisky Social
PS: A reminder that a quarter of tickets to this year’s show have been pre-sold; the rest go on sale Tuesday April 7 at 10am through Roy Thomson Hall’s Box Office.
Every Society cask tells a story influenced by spirit, wood type and maturation. Every monthly Outturn tells 20+ different whisky stories. Every time you twist the stopper off one of our bottles, glug it in the glass and raise it to your nose could be the moment you find your next favourite whisky… but only while it lasts. One new Outturn. All the good stuff. Live now.
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
Looking for something a little different this Spirit of Speyside?
Join us for a truly unique experience — our Lunchtime Whisky Picnic at Findhorn Beach Huts — where great whisky meets fresh sea air and stunning coastal views.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Moray Firth, you’ll enjoy a relaxed afternoon with the Murray McDavid Team, featuring:
🥃 Three outstanding whiskies
🥪 Delicious sandwiches and light bites
☕ Tea & coffee to round things off
As you sip and savour, keep an eye on the water — you might just spot dolphins, seals or seabirds adding to the experience.
This is whisky at its most relaxed — great drams, good company, and a view you won’t forget.
🥃 Lunchtime Whisky Picnic at Murray McDavid’s Findhorn Beach Huts 🏖️
Friday 1 May | 12:00pm-2:00pm
Sunday 3 May | 12:00pm-2:00pm – SOLD OUT!
Whether classic or new wave, a Japanese whisky never disappoints. We’ve put together a handpicked selection of some of the finest bottles from the region, and for just a short while, you can now enjoy any of them for a little less. With such a wide variety of styles on offer, you’re sure to discover something exceptional.
