Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Lost Lantern, recently named the global Independent Bottler of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards, has launched their new Single Distillery Series! The series features three fantastic whiskeys from two different distilleries – Balcones Distilling out of Waco, Texas and Whiskey Del Bac from Tucson, Arizona.
Lost Lantern Founders Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski enjoyed a highly collaborative relationship with the two distilleries for this series. Of the inaugural release the founders state, “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.”
Following a long running Single Cask Series, Lost Lantern wanted to continue to highlight unique distilleries that may be more difficult for some consumers to access by developing the Single Distillery Series, aiming to “showcase the versatility, breadth, and depth of some of Lost Lantern’s most beloved partners.”
The last in my tasting of three whiskeys from two different distilleries is Balcones “Gentle Giant” Texas Single Malt. This whiskey was names “Best American Single Malt Aged Under 12 Years” at the 2023 World Whiskies Awards and is a marriage of five and a half casks including apple brandy, European oak, and ex-bourbon casks. Balcones sources the ingredients for their 100% malted barley mash bill from Texas, utilizing the area’s dry climate to develop the whiskey’s terroir.
The temperamental Texas sun swings high and hot, and temperature shifts cause barrels to “breathe” at a faster rate than other regions, causing, as stated on the Balcones website, “oaky flavors to mingle with the liquid inside [the barrels], but also accelerates the complex processes that transform raw spirit into a fully matured spirit.”
For Balcones “Gentle Giant” the collaboration between Lost Lantern and Balcones Distillery has developed a smoother, less intense while no less impressive single malt whiskey, proofing the whiskey down while giving it the space between the five casks to open and breathe into a unique addition to the trio of whiskeys in the Single Distillery Series.
Tasting Notes: Lost Lantern “Gentle Giant” Balcones Distilling
Vital Stats: Aged 3 years. Mashbill of 100% Malted Barley. Barrel entry proof: 124.3-124.4 Proof. Bottled at 115.2 Proof. 1,100 Bottles released at an SRP of $100. A marriage of whiskey from five casks, whiskeys all made with 100% Golden Promise malted Barley. Casks include apple brandy, ISC European oak, and ex-bourbon.
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Appearance: Pale and clear golden with subtle viscosity.
Nose: Herbal, dry eucalyptus, with caramel, salty and sweet toffee, and dried prunes.
Palate: Strong and very spicy, black pepper and clove notes, black tea leaf and pear come through after the initial spiciness mellows.
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