Lost Lantern's 2025 Scotch Lover's American Single Malt Collection Review

Lost Lantern is an American independent bottler founded in 2018 by Nora Ganley-Roper of Astor Wine & Spirits and Adam Polonski of Whisky Advocate; the duo is committed to releasing whiskeys from distilleries they've personally visited. Nora handles production and operations, and Adam handles marketing, sales, and sourcing.

 

One thing that I'm passionate about is transparency. I respect that some things have to be kept confidential. However, things get exciting when distilleries and non-distilling producers lay most, if not all, of their cards on the table. The fact that Lost Lantern is also committed to transparency is greatly appreciated. It will tell you just about anything you want to know about each offering.

 

Lost Lantern’s Fall 2025 Scotch Lovers’ Collection will be available starting November 12, 2025. The name is a bit of a misnomer. These aren’t Scotches; they’re single cask American Single Malt whiskeys plus two blends that are geared toward Scotch whisky lovers. With each selection that I’m reviewing, I’ve included a Scotch-like Type tag, which is a Lost Lantern-provided suggestion indicating the region it represents.

 

Lost Lantern's whiskeys can be purchased from LostLanternWhiskey.com, Seelbachs.com, the Lost Lantern Tasting Room in Vermont, and select California, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island retailers.

 

There are a few things to be aware of before I do the #DrinkCurious thing. Firstly, I did not sample all of these in one sitting. My adventure spanned over several days for two reasons: palate fatigue is a real thing. After about three different whiskeys, it becomes challenging to determine notes with any accuracy. Also, getting schnockered does nobody, especially myself, any good. Otherwise, I’d throw in a bunch of I-love-you-mans in the reviews.

 

Secondly, and more importantly, I would like to thank Lost Lantern for this opportunity in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest reviews.

 

Thirdly, I used a fresh Glencairn glass with each whiskey and sipped them all neat.

 

And, lastly, two of these single-barrel distilleries are strangers to me: Triple Eight Distillery from Massachusetts and Warfield Distillery from Idaho. I’ve reviewed whiskey from Clear Creek Distillery in the past. With the blends, I’ve reviewed most of the involved distilleries. So, this will be a real adventure.

 

Enough background stuff; let’s get to the tasting part!

 

Triple Eight 10-Year Massachusetts Single Malt

 

• Whiskey Type: American Single Malt
• Distiller: Triple Eight Distillery (MA)
• Age: 10 years
• Mashbill: 100% Maris Otter Malt from East Anglia, U.K.
• Cooperage: 53-gallon former Bourbon barrel
• Alcohol Content: 62.2% ABV (124.4°)
• Price per 750mL: $150.00
• Non-Chill Filtered, Naturally Colored
• 174 bottle yield
• Scotch-like Type: Speyside or Highland

 

Appearance: In my glass, this whiskey presented as liquid gold, forming a micro-thin rim and tiny, cramped tears.

 

Nose: Even before I brought the glass to my face, my whiskey library was filled with smells of orchard fruits. Peaches, apricots, pears, apples, plums – they were all there. I also encountered caramel and the scent of ocean air. When I drew the aroma into my mouth, there was salted caramel.

 

Palate: The whisky possessed a velvety texture and was accompanied by a punch of alcohol that made the tip of my tongue sizzle. The front of my palate ran into an interesting combination of pink grapefruit, vanilla, and brine. Notes of caramel, honey, and fresh leather were at the middle, and the back consisted of white pepper, oak spice, and lemon zest.

 

Finish: Lemon, tangerine, and pink grapefruit teamed up with salted caramel and leather, and oak—grapefruit held to the very end. The duration lasted 2:16, making for a very long sipping experience.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Triple Eight Distillery is located along the Atlantic Ocean, which exposes its whiskeys to maritime conditions.

 

I was fascinated by this single malt’s beginning and end with citrus components. The terroir was impactful. I can see how it would appeal to fans of unpeated Highland Scotches; it ticked all the right boxes for me. Taking the proof into account, Triple Eight 10-Year-Old is a bit pricey but still worth the cost, earning my Bottle rating.

 

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Triple Eight Sauternes Cask 11-Year Massachusetts Single Malt

 

• Whiskey Type: American Single Malt
• Distiller: Triple Eight Distillery (MA)
• Age: 11 years
• Mashbill: 100% Maris Otter Malt from East Anglia, U.K.
• Cooperage: 53-gallon French oak ex-Sauternes
• Alcohol Content: 60.5% ABV (121°)
• Price per 750mL: $180.00
• Non-Chill Filtered, Naturally Colored
• 229 bottle yield
• Scotch-like Type: Highland

 

Appearance: As this whiskey was aged in a wine cask, it came as no surprise that it would be darker in color. I’d describe it as gingerbread. The liquid formed a medium-thick rim with thick, crazed tears.

 

Nose: When I began my sniffing journey, I discovered notes of golden raisins, mead, and figs. I continued to explore the aroma, curious to see if there would be additional sensations; however, nothing materialized. I pulled the air through my lips and tasted pears.

 

Palate: The mouthfeel was oily, yet carried some depth. There was no palate shock. Flavors of raisins, figs, and honey were on the front. Next came roasted almonds, cocoa, and toffee. The back featured salted caramel and white grapefruit.

 

Finish: The white grapefruit washed over the other notes, but quickly receded, leaving behind golden raisins, figs, dark chocolate, and mead. It lasted 1:36, placing it somewhere in the medium to long venue.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Triple Eight Sauternes Cask is the oldest expression that Lost Lantern has released. Eleven years in wood for an American Single Malt is an eternity; this is a class of whiskey that matures quickly, with some being perfectly fine at six months, and at six years, it would be considered almost elderly.

 

This whiskey is not over-oaked, although it did fully embrace the wine influence. What was missing was the bold toastiness commonly associated with French oak. That’s an observation, not a demerit. It is reminiscent of what an unpeated Highland Scotch can be.

 

At $180.00, we’re talking a whole other universe as it pertains to cost. I enjoyed this, I really did. I’m not convinced that I would pay the asking price. The fairest rating would be a Bar. I know that’s challenging for single-cask whiskeys, so if you’re feeling lucky, pull the trigger.  

 

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Triple Eight Peated Massachusetts Single Malt

 

 

• Whiskey Type: American Single Malt
• Distiller: Triple Eight Distillery (MA)
• Age: 6 years, 6 months
• Mashbill: 100% Highland peat–smoked two-row spring barley
• Cooperage: 53-gallon former Bourbon barrel
• Alcohol Content: 58% ABV (116°)
• Price per 750mL: $120.00
• Non-Chill Filtered, Naturally Colored
• 196 bottle yield
• Scotch-like Type: Islands

 

Appearance: The bright, yellow-gold color was inviting. A thicker rim formed, releasing a combination of husky, fast tears and tightly packed, thin, slow ones. It happens, but it’s not overly common.

 

Nose: Ah, yes, peat – heavenly peat. Some folks find it off-putting, but I’m here to tell you that it is an acquired thing that, once you’re hooked, you crave it. It was smoky, blending with the bold ocean air. Beneath those were vanilla bean, raisins, cherries, and almonds. As I took the vapor through my lips, I found rich, salted caramel.

 

Palate: Soft and creamy, this peated malt effortlessly rolled across my tongue and down my throat. Unexpectedly, there was a shock of smoky peat. With the next sip, I found salted caramel, vanilla, and smoke on the front of my palate. The middle offered golden raisins, blanched almonds, and fruit leather. Tastes of apples, citrus, and oak were on the back of my palate.  

 

Finish: The smoke, oak, citrus, and fruit leather stuck in my mouth and throat. The peatiness held beyond the fruity notes, yet didn’t outlast the oak, which hung on my tongue. According to my stopwatch, the finish lasted 2:29, which is quite long.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Peated American Single Malt whiskeys aren’t unheard of, but unpeated expressions vastly outnumber them. I consider any of them (good or bad) to be a treat simply because I run into them sporadically.

 

As I stated in the nosing, peat is an acquired taste and grows on you once that happens. Peat is a highly localized resource; each peat bog is unique. There can be a saltwater bogginess, or ash, or smoke, or char, or even smoked meats.

 

When Lost Lantern mentioned that this will appeal to Islands whisky fans, it is essential to note that “Islands” is not a legal Scotch category. The Islands, sans Islay, belong to the Highland Region. Frankly, I saw this more as an Islay whiskey akin to the Caol Ila distillery.

 

I really, really, really enjoyed this whiskey. It is one of those where the retail price becomes less of a factor. It is stunning, and I would buy this one all day long; hence, my Bottle rating.

 

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Warfield Idaho Single Malt

 

 

• Whiskey Type: American Single Malt
• Distiller: Warfield Distillery (ID)
• Age: 4 years
• Mashbill: 100% organic malted barley
• Cooperage: 53-gallon former Bourbon barrel
• Alcohol Content: 67.7% ABV (135.4°)
• Price per 750mL: $100.00
• Non-Chill Filtered, Naturally Colored
• 196 bottle yield
• Scotch-like Type: Lowland or Speyside

Appearance: In my Glencairn glass, the hay-colored whiskey formed a medium rim with tightly packed, thick, fast legs.

 

Nose: Considering the proof, I gave this whiskey additional time to acclimate. From there, my olfactory sense picked out lemon curd, vanilla custard, and a brief whiff of anise. I pulled the air through my lips and found vanilla bean.  

 

Palate: Warfield’s mouthfeel was thin and slick, and, surprisingly, lacked heat or a palate shock! Instead, the front of my palate found flavors of lemon peel, vanilla, and caramel. My mid-palate revealed notes of oak and cinnamon, while the back palate featured notes of walnut, malt, and pipe tobacco.

 

Finish: The finish included pipe tobacco, malt, and lemon peel. It was level, with only the slightest hint of cinnamon spice. Per my stopwatch, the finish lasted 1:48, making it a longer one.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Warfield Distillery utilizes traditional Forsyths Scottish pot stills and operates as a high-altitude distillery. Its whiskey was very Scotch-like, more so than any of the others in this collection. It acted much like a Lowland whisky and was an uncomplicated pour. I didn’t make a connection to the Speyside region.

 

This Idaho Single Malt drank way, way under its stated proof. Give this to me blind, and I may say it was 100° - it was unbelievable! It was light, tasty, and lemony. Would I spend $100.00 on it? I don’t believe so; I’d love to see this about $20.00 less. As such, it earns my Bar rating.

 

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McCarthy’s 10-Year Peated Oregon Single Malt

 

 

• Whiskey Type: American Single Malt
• Distiller: Clear Creek Distilling (OR)
• Age: 10 years
• Mashbill: 100% peated malted barley
• Cooperage: 400-liter fourth-fill Oregon (Garryana) oak cask
• Alcohol Content: 59.3% ABV (118.6°)
• Price per 750mL: $150.00
• Non-Chill Filtered, Naturally Colored
• 250 bottle yield
• Scotch-like Type: Islay

 

Appearance: McCarthy’s appeared brassy, forming a medium rim with a sheer curtain of tears.

 

Nose: The aroma was rich with barbequed meats and smoke. There were also grilled pineapples, apples, vanilla, and a bit of brine. As I inhaled the air into my mouth, I came across dense, vanilla custard.

 

Palate: A silky mouthfeel gave way to a peaty, almost creosote-like palate shock. As I continued to explore, I found leather, tobacco leaf, and brisket on the front of my palate. Midway through, I tasted flavors of boysenberries, blueberries, and sweet vanilla. The back included notes of campfire smoke, clove, and a hint of ash.

 

Finish: Stick some smoked brisket on a steady campfire, grab some berry-flavored sauce, and it would perfectly describe what’s in my mouth and throat. It was even chewy. The duration was 1:48, making it a relatively long one.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: McCarthy’s is one of the original American Single Malt brands. Lost Lantern’s release is the first 10-year-old whisky the brand has ever released. If you’ve not had the standard McCarthy’s, check out my February review; it is a stunning pour.

 

Until today, I hadn't experienced a cask strength version of McCarthy’s, and damn, this is one impressive pour! The smoked meats, the berries, the clove – wow! If you’re a fan of heavily peated Islay Scotches (think Port Charlotte), then Lost Lantern’s McCarthy’s expression will blow your mind. It is one of those experience whiskeys that you don’t really care what it costs. Sometimes, I wish I had something beyond a Bottle rating, because Lost Lantern’s would take it.

 

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American Vatted Malt Remix

 

 

• Whiskey Type: Blended American Malt
• Distiller: 11 distilleries:
• Andalusia Whiskey Co (TX)
• Balcones Distilling (TX)
• Cedar Ridge Distilling Co (IA)
• Copperworks (WA)
• McCarthy’s (OR)
• Santa Fe Spirits (NM)
• Triple Eight Distillery (MA)
• Virginia Distilling Co (VA)
• Westland Whiskey (WA)
• Westward Whiskey (OR)
• Whiskey Del Bac (AZ)
• Age: 2 years (component whiskeys between 2 and 8 years)
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley
• Cooperage: Undisclosed
• Alcohol Content: 55.4% (110.8°)
• Price per 750mL: $100.00
• 800 bottle yield

 

Appearance: American Vatted Malt Remix was the color of honey. A thin rim produced thick, crazed tears.

 

Nose: There was a big blast of ripe apricots, dates, raisins, and apple pie filling, along with a muted, floral quality. The air in my mouth tasted of honeysuckle.

 

Palate: The blend’s texture was dense and creamy. There was a clove palate shock. With the next sip, I encountered honey, apples, and dried apricots on the front. Midway through were plums, fresh leather, and malt. I detected notes of clove, oak tannins, and pecans on the back of my palate.   

 

Finish: Clove and oak kept things spicy, countered by honey, apricots, and raisins. Just as the oak was heading out the door, cinnamon came out of nowhere, becoming big and bold. The duration ran 3:13, making it very long.   

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: According to Lost Lantern, American Vatted Malt – Remix “is the widest-ranging blend of American Single Malts ever created, a symbolic bridge between Scotland’s vatted malt tradition and America’s emerging style.” I have no reason to cast doubt on the claim.

 

I loved how the fruity and spicy notes melded and complemented each other. The finish was outstanding; that cinnamon threw me for a loop. If you appreciate blends (and if you don’t, you are cheating yourself out of some excellent whiskeys), American Vatted Malt – Remix will wow you – it did me. I’d easily spend $100.00 on it with no regrets. It deserves my Bottle rating.

 

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American Vatted Malt Reissue

 

• Whiskey Type: Blended American Malt
• Distiller: 6 distilleries:
• Balcones Distilling (TX)
• Copperworks (WA)
• Santa Fe Spirits (NM)
• Triple Eight Distillery (MA)
• Virginia Distilling Co (VA)
• Westward Whiskey (OR)
• Age: 2 years (component whiskeys between 2 and 7 years)
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley
• Cooperage: Undisclosed
• Alcohol Content: 52.5% (105°)
• Price per 750mL: $90.00
• 500 bottle yield
• Non-Chill Filtered

 

Appearance: This blended whiskey presented as a deep copper color. It produced a thick rim with heavy, widely spaced tears.

 

Nose: Fruity aromas of plum, raisin, and orange peel married caramel, which seemed to suggest the use of sherry casks. When I took the vapor into my mouth, I detected notes of citrus and milk chocolate.

 

Palate: A medium-bodied, quite oily texture ran across my tongue and throat, and it lacked any palate shock. On the front, I tasted milk chocolate, malt, and molasses. The middle consisted of salted caramel, apples, and cinnamon. Orange zest, charred oak, and nutmeg were on the back of my palate.

 

Finish: American Vatted Malt – Reissue featured flavors of barbecue smoke and barrel char, which eventually yielded to notes of nutmeg and salted caramel. Black pepper owned the entirety of the finish, refusing to give up for what seemed like several minutes after the others faded. In reality, the duration lasted far shorter, ringing in at 2:04. It was still long.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: American Vatted Malt – Reissue is a re-release of Lost Lantern’s debut whiskey, Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1, which I reviewed in June of 2021. Interestingly, this year’s version is $30.00 less expensive than the initial release, while maintaining the alcohol content. That’s not something you see every day.

 

I found American Vatted Malt - Reissue to have plenty of depth, and it drank way under its stated proof; it is an unusual blend, in a great way. It earned my Bottle rating at $120.00, and for $90.00, it seems like a no-brainer as well. It is definitely worth picking up.

 

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Final Thoughts: I have been a long-time fan of American Single Malts, and it has been an exciting journey to see the category evolve from distillers with innovative ideas to a legally recognized category of whiskey.

 

Lost Lantern marketed this as a Scotch Lovers’ Collection. My toe-dipping experience into the Wonderful World of Whiskey was with Scotch, specifically Dewar’s White Label. One of the things I appreciate about American Single Malts is that while many distillers give an appreciative nod to Scotch Single Malts, they’re not trying to mimic them. American Single Malt Whiskey is a distinct style, characterized by its unique terroir and characteristics. I love Scotch whisky for being Scotch, Irish whiskey for being Irish, and American whiskey for being – you guessed it – American.

 

I tip my hat to Lost Lantern for hopefully opening the minds of Scotch fans who may be unfamiliar with American Single Malt Whiskeys, and encourage Lost Lantern to continue these types of adventures.

 

As for my favorites, it is pretty obvious that the two peated expressions won out. The McCarthy’s and Triple Eight were so different, I’m not sure I could tell you which I preferred. They’re definitely the top dogs.

 

The American Vatted Malt Remix was an awe-inspiring blend, but that shouldn’t discount the greatness of Reissue.

 

I preferred the 10-year Triple Eight to the 11, and while it brought up the rear, there’s nothing in the world wrong with the Warfield. I’m damned curious what both of these distilleries have to offer.

 

For what it is worth, this may be my favorite “collection” from Lost Lantern. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.