Lost Lantern is an Independent Bottler releasing an exciting roster of Midwest bottlings this Spring, featuring expressions from six distilleries from five states. In an official statement from Lost Lantern, Co-Founder Nora Ganley-Roper says, “The Midwest is one of the most exciting and dynamic whiskey regions in the United States, yet it’s one that whiskey drinkers often overlook. Other regions like the Pacific Northwest and Texas may have a higher profile, but distilleries across the Midwest are making truly wonderful, world-class whiskies…Lost Lantern’s Midwest Collection is designed to showcase some of these whiskies and help whiskey lovers explore a region that has truly come into its own.”

I’ve personally always enjoyed the whiskies I’ve tasted that come from Lost Lantern’s curation, and this collection is no different. I’ll be reviewing each whiskey separately and encourage you to visit each distillery’s website for more information. This is Part One of this roundup, stay tuned for Part Two!

Middle West Ohio Straight Rye Single Cask
126 Proof. Aged 4 years in new oak barrels. SRP $90.

Aesthetic:

A deep, beautiful amber color.

Nose:

The bittersweet note of nearly ripe raspberry joins buttery brioche, grain, and white sugar.

Palate:

There’s heat in this here whiskey! A beautifully balanced heat with fruity and slightly bitter elements, along with spice – I think clove – and a well-rounded full-bodied mouthfeel that coats perfectly and spreads evenly across the palate.

Rating: 🥃 🥃 🥃 🥃/5

Wollersheim Distillery Wisconsin Straight Bourbon Single Cask
131.2 Proof. 5 years aged. Locally grown grain mash bill of 66% corn, 22% rye, and 12% malted barley. SRP $90

Aesthetic:

The whiskey is the color of light brown sugar.

Nose:

An enticing aroma lifts from the Glencairn, with notes of banana and milk chocolate joining the fruity sweetness of cherry and passionfruit and melding nicely with more leathery elements after opening.

Palate:

Chewy and mellow, there are tannin elements that resemble the feel of wine on the palate, with cayenne and a meatiness that can overwhelm if drinking straight. I’d like to see what this whiskey gives to a classic Old Fashioned, to see if certain notes will stand out, but definitely the fire may overwhelm the naked palate.

Rating: 🥃 🥃 🥃.5/5

Far-Flung Rye
121.6 Proof. A blend of Straight Ryes from Cedar Ridge Distillery (Swisher, IA), Middle West Spirits (Columbus, OH), Starlight Distillery (Starlight, IN), Tom’s Foolery Distillery (Chagrin Falls, OH), and Wollersheim Distillery (Prairie du Sac, WI). Ages ranging from 4-9 years. SRP $100.

Aesthetic:

The color of tea steeping for hours in the summer sun.

Nose:

The nose is subtle until the whiskey opens a bit. Right off I get marcona almond and pear with spicy cinnamon stick, along with fresh cut grass.

Palate:

Austere, the whiskey gives that pear from the nose, meeting hazelnut and a spicy dark chocolate melted to just before breaking, along with oaky wood flavor and a long finish.

Rating: 🥃 🥃 🥃 🥃/5

**This whiskey was provided as a review sample by those who created and released it. My reviews are my own, and I tell it how I taste it.**