Lost Lantern Whiskey
America’s Most Ambitious Independent Bottler
Instead of telling the story of where bourbon comes from, Lost Lantern tells the story of where American whiskey is going.
Rather than operating their own distillery, Lost Lantern partners with independent producers across the country, selecting individual barrels and creating blends that showcase regions, distilleries, and styles many bourbon drinkers would otherwise never discover. Their sourcing isn’t a secret. It’s the entire point.
The result is one of the most transparent independent bottlers in American whiskey and one that’s helping expand the conversation well beyond Kentucky.
Featured Project: The United States of Bourbon Project
Few whiskey releases have generated as much curiosity as United States of Bourbon.
Lost Lantern created three different expressions celebrating American whiskey by blending straight bourbon from across the country:
- United States of Bourbon (100 Proof) — bourbon from all 50 states
- United States of Bourbon Cask Strength — the same nationwide concept at full proof
- United States of Bourbon: First 13 States — a cask strength blend honoring America’s original colonies
On paper, these releases sound almost impossible. Combining whiskey from dozens of climates, mash bills, production philosophies, and age ranges into a cohesive bourbon is an enormous blending challenge.
The fact that they work as well as they do speaks to Lost Lantern’s greatest strength: blending with purpose rather than simply blending for novelty.
100 Proof
A fascinating 50-state experiment that balances familiar bourbon flavors with unmistakable craft whiskey character.
Cask Strength
The version I believe the project was always meant to become, with dramatically richer flavor and substantially better value.
1776: First 13 States
The most barrel-driven of the trilogy, delivering toasted oak character and outstanding balance despite a difficult price point.
United States of Bourbon at a Glance
- 50 participating distilleries
- 50 U.S. states represented
- 3 limited releases
- 2–10 years (50 States blends)
- 4–8 years (First 13 States)
- 1,776, 3,300, and 6,780 bottles released
Distilleries Featured in the United States of Bourbon Project
The United States of Bourbon series showcases whiskey from independent distilleries across America. Distilleries marked with ★ also contributed to the First 13 States blend. Click a distillery to read my review or distillery visit where available.
Alabama
- Dread River Distilling Co.
Alaska
- Denali Spirits
Arizona
- SanTan Distilling
Arkansas
- Rock Town Distillery
California
- Corbin Cash Distillery
Colorado
- Boulder Spirits
Connecticut ★
Delaware ★
- Painted Stave Distilling
Florida
- St. Augustine Distillery
Georgia ★
- ASW Fiddler Distillery
Hawaii
- Koʻolau Distillery
Idaho
- Day’s Defile
Illinois
Indiana
- Starlight Distillery
Iowa
- Cedar Ridge Distillery
Kansas
- Union Horse Distilling Co.
Kentucky
- New Riff Distilling
Louisiana
- Distillerie Acadian
Maine
- Hardshore Distilling Co.
Maryland ★
- Baltimore Spirits Co.
Massachusetts ★
- Triple Eight Distillery
Michigan
- New Holland Distilling Co.
Minnesota
- Far North Spirits
Mississippi
- Rich Grain Distilling
Missouri
- J. Rieger & Co.
Montana
- Montgomery Distillery
Nebraska
- Brickway Distillery
Nevada
New Hampshire ★
- Cathedral Ledge Distillery
New Jersey ★
- Sourland Mountain Spirits
New Mexico
- Safe House Distilling
New York ★
- Kings County Distillery
North Carolina ★
- Broad Branch Distillery
North Dakota
- Proof Artisan Distillers
Ohio
Tom’s Foolery Distillery
Oklahoma
- Hochatown Distilling
Oregon
- Oregon Spirit Distillers
Pennsylvania ★
- Liberty Pole Spirits
Rhode Island ★
- South County Distillers
South Carolina ★
- High Wire Distilling Co.
South Dakota
- Blackfork Farms
Tennessee
- Leiper’s Fork Distillery
Texas
- Balcones Distilling
Utah
- High West Distillery
Vermont
- Stonecutter Spirits
Virginia ★
- Reservoir Distillery
Washington
- Woodinville Whiskey Co.
West Virginia
- Smooth Ambler Spirits
Wisconsin
- Wollersheim Distillery
Wyoming
Backwards Distilling Co.
*This page will be periodically updated when new distillery reviews are added. I’ve reviewed many of these brands but it was done on my instagram account before my website existed.
Lost Lantern Buying Guide
If you’re considering the United States of Bourbon releases, here’s where I’d start.
| Bottle | Best For |
|---|---|
| United States of Bourbon Cask Strength | Best Overall • Best Value |
| United States of Bourbon (100 Proof) | First-time Lost Lantern buyers and lower-proof drinkers |
| First 13 States | Collectors and fans of heavily oaked bourbon |
Why Lost Lantern Stands Apart
The independent bottler model has existed in Scotland for generations, but it remains relatively uncommon in American whiskey. Lost Lantern has embraced that tradition while giving it a uniquely American identity.
Instead of purchasing anonymous whiskey, co-founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski personally visit every distillery they work with, hand-select barrels, and proudly identify every source on the label. Their goal isn’t to hide where whiskey comes from. It’s to introduce drinkers to distilleries they may never have encountered otherwise.
That philosophy has produced everything from single-distillery barrel selections to one of the boldest blending experiments ever attempted.
Why Whiskey Nerds Love Lost Lantern
Lost Lantern isn’t trying to become the next heritage distillery.
Instead, they’re shining a spotlight on the incredible whiskey already being made throughout the United States.
That approach means every release becomes an opportunity to discover a new distillery, region, or production style while maintaining an unusually high level of transparency. Whether it’s a single-cask selection or a nationwide blend, Lost Lantern continues to prove that sourcing can be every bit as intentional—and every bit as exciting—as distilling.
