Lost Lantern Warfield Idaho American Single Malt Review

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Lost Lantern Warfield Idaho American Single Malt Review

Name: Lost Lantern Warfield Idaho Single Malt Review
Item: Lost Lantern Warfield Idaho American Single Malt Review
Rating: 7
Author: Charles Steele

Can an organic Idaho distillery using traditional Scottish pot stills create a whiskey that rivals Speyside malts? This cask-strength release proves it's possible.

by Charles Steele
January 21, 2026

Charles Steele is an attorney and whiskey enthusiast with a penchant for the peculiar.

Tasting Notes:

About:

Lost Lantern’s first Idaho release, from a certified organic distillery known for using traditional Scottish pot stills. Ideal for Speyside and Lowland fans. The first cask strength release from a rising star of American single malt.

Located just outside Sun Valley, Warfield is one of the only certified organic distilleries in the country and one of just a handful of American distilleries with traditional Forsyths pot stills, the gold standard in Scotland. It is entirely focused on American single malt.

This is Lost Lantern’s first release from Warfield, aged in used ex-bourbon barrels for four years at a higher elevation than the highest point in Scotland. “It reminds us of lighter Speyside malts or single malts from the Lowlands, yet with a distinct mountain heft – a light flavor profile yet a high proof. This is, in fact, the first cask-strength release ever to come from Warfield!”

Appearance:

Straw-yellow

Nose:

Vibrant with spring melons, grasses, flowers, and alcohol. There is a soft honey dancing around in the nose. You have to parse through the alcohol to find the notes as the abv is very strong.

Palate:

Earth tones and bitter root. It is good but if you like a stronger darker profile without a great deal of sweetness. Strong crisp edges which cut through the noise a bit to refocus the sip. I found light cigar smoke and crisp oak char. Overall not for the faint of heart!

Finish:

Very buttery mouthfeel that warms the chest and holds nicely with notes of dried oak.

Comments:

It is rare but the abv for me was a bit too high on balance with the rest of the profile. A drop or two would go a long way in opening this one up. There are softer notes but at this proof they are short lived and harder to find, for me. I’d love to see what a few more years in cask would do. Really darken the color and provide a bit more sugar interaction with the whiskey.

Overall if you like a strong, dark, earthy whiskey this is a great selection.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Charles Steele

Charles Steele, a Portland-based attorney, is a native of the Pacific Northwest. His legal background provides him with an analytical approach to understanding whiskey and other aged spirits. Primarily a legal writer, freelancing for The Whiskey Wash offers Charles a unique opportunity to showcase his versatility as a writer. Although his preference lies with whiskey and whiskey-based cocktails, he has a profound appreciation for all unique and unconventional liquors, from Malört to Ojen - if it's peculiar, he's intrigued.

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