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 second of my tasting from this series is “Mega Mesquite” from Tucson, Arizona based Whiskey Del Bac. This is apparently one of the smokies whiskeys the distillery has released, matured in three heavily mesquite-smoked casks with a mashbill of 60% unsmoked malted barley and 40% mesquite malted barley. This whiskey has strong vegetal notes and a beautiful complexity that is impressive for such a young distillery.
Stephen Paul founded Hamilton Distillers Group in 2011 with his daughter Amanda, under which Whiskey Del Bac was launched. The distillery was named after San Xavier del Bac, Tuscon’s 17th Century Spanish mission, with the name meaning “Whiskey of the Place Where the River Reappears in the Sand.”
Whiskey Del Bac is strongly rooted in the terroir of the Southwest desert, and utilizing mesquite over peat has greatly contributed to the distillery’s uniqueness, helping it stand out amongst the slew of American Single Malt whiskey brands. Every expression of Whiskey Del Bac I’ve tasted has been nearly perfect, in my humble opinion. There’s something special about a whiskey that, with each new release, builds on and adds to the last.
Lost Lantern collaborated with Whiskey Del Bac to create “Mega Mesquite” for this Single Distillery Series, and I believe it is the standout of three incredible whiskeys.
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Tasting Notes: Lost Lantern “Mega Mesquite” Whiskey Del Bac
Vital Stats: 120 Proof. Aged 1 year. Cask strength, Non-chill filtered, no color added. Mash Bill of 60% Unsmoked Malted Barley and 40% Mesquite Malted Barley.
Appearance: Dark, rich amber.
Nose: Notes of steeped tea leaves and light smoke, slightly sweet with notes of burnt citrus.
Palate: Fire on the mountain! Mesquite resonates throughout, from the start to the long finish. Woodsy, campfire, with an astringent sweetness, concord grape peel, and spice meld together nicely for a balanced whiskey.
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