Lost Lantern Fall 2026 Collection: George Dickel Review

Courtesy of Lost Lantern

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 held close to the vest. However, that gets exciting when distilleries lay most or 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 2026 Collection will be available starting Wednesday, October 21, 2026. These whiskeys are all Tennessee Whiskey, Bourbon, Rye, or Wheat Whiskey distilled by Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (a/k/a George Dickel Distillery). 

“Our mission has always been to shine a light on wonderful whiskies from all across the country. From the beginning, we’ve always said we’d be open to working with a large, well-known heritage distillery, as long as we had something to add to the conversation about that distillery and could work with them the same way we work with small distilleries: working directly with their team, tasting every barrel before we select it, and being fully transparent about the source right on the label. We had that opportunity with George Dickel.” - Adam Polonski, Head of Whiskey Sourcing for Lost Lantern 

“These are whiskies that we didn’t even know George Dickel made until we visited and started working with Nicole [Austin]. Our George Dickel Collection is the ultimate whiskey nerd’s take on one of the giants of American whiskey.” – Nora Ganley-Roper

 

You may be asking yourself, “What’s the difference between Tennessee whiskeys and others?” The defining factor is what’s called the Lincoln County Process (LCP). Before the new-make is placed in the barrel, it drips through charcoal from burnt maple. That charcoal filtering process mellows the new-make. It does not mean that Tennessee Whiskey is not Bourbon, Tennessee Rye is not Rye, etc.

 

The Fall 2026 Collection is available through its online store, Seelbach’s, and select retailers in California, New York, Maryland, Illinois, and at the Lost Lantern Tasting Room in Vergennes, Vermont.

 

And now, for some housekeeping stuff: I must thank Lost Lantern for providing me with samples of each in exchange for my no-strings-attached, honest review of its Fall 2026 Collection, and to avoid unnecessary repetition:

• All whiskeys were distilled by Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.;
• All are non-chill filtered, naturally colored, and cask strength;
• I used a fresh Glencairn glass for each whiskey;
• I drank each whiskey neat;
• I waited 15 minutes for each to acclimate before nosing;
• I took several days to put this review together to avoid palate fatigue.

 

Let’s #DrinkCurious!

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey 18 Years Old

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Whiskey
• Age:  18 years
• Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
• Cooperage: Single cask, new, 53-gallon charred oak
• Alcohol Content: 41.7% ABV (83.4°)
• Price per 750mL: $249.99
• 110+ bottle yield

 

Appearance: This ancient whiskey was the color of raw honey. It had a thin rim but produced thick, widely spaced, syrupy tears.

 

Nose: The first two notes that pretty much jumped from the glass were brown sugar and leather. Next came black cherries, strawberries, and fried plantains, followed by vanilla, caramel, and milk chocolate. When I pulled the air through my lips, I found vanilla cream.

 

Palate: The first sip revealed a velvety mouthfeel and an almost gentle smack of tobacco. With more sips, I noticed brown sugar, toffee, and leather on the front, while the mid-palate offered cherries, fried plantains, and vanilla cream. I tasted sweet oak, shredded tobacco, and roasted almonds.

 

Finish: The roasted almonds morphed into honey-roasted nuts; brown sugar and toffee competed for attention while fried plantains and creamy vanilla desperately tried to distract from the sweet oak and tobacco notes. A smidge of nutmeg and drier oak gave it some oomph as the moisture was sucked from my mouth. The finish was long and rambling, lasting 2:04.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: My God, this was such an easy sipper. Yeah, part of that is due to its low proof (and it is ridiculous for an 18-year-old American whiskey at barrel proof to be this low). I could get wordy, but in a nutshell, George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey 18 Years Old is one of those you must experience to believe; it possesses a ton of character and depth that only older whiskeys can feature.

 

Is it expensive? Yes. Will you care? Nope. Grab a Bottle; it is worth keeping in your liquor cabinet, hidden behind others so nobody else finds it.

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey 11 Years Old

 

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Whiskey
• Age:  11 years
• Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
• Cooperage: Single cask, new, 53-gallon charred oak
• Alcohol Content: 51.8% ABV (103.6°)
• Price per 750mL: $79.99
• 160+ bottle yield

 

Appearance: The brown-amber whiskey produced a thin rim with tightly packed, pencil-thin, slow tears.  

 

Nose: The aroma began with milk chocolate and caramel. Cherries, brown sugar, cinnamon, and freshly shredded tobacco came next. Inhaling the vapor through my lips yielded orange peel and brown sugar.

 

Palate: My first sip delivered a somewhat slick mouthfeel and a dose of cinnamon. On the front of my palate, I tasted coffee, cinnamon, and milk chocolate. The mid-palate featured caramel, toffee, and roasted almonds, leading to dry oak, old leather, and clove on the back.

 

Finish: Dark chocolate, cinnamon Red Hots, dry oak, clove, tobacco leaf, and old leather remained in my mouth. The finish was medium-to-long and rolled for 1:11 before suddenly vanishing.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The 11-year-old expression was spicier than I expected, especially after exploring the 18-year-old version, and more Bourbon-esque than Tennessee Whiskey-ish. It made me curious what it might have become without the LCP. Mind you, what was happening in my mouth was lovely; I was just caught off guard. It also drank about a dozen points above its stated proof. You’ll want to take your time sipping it.

 

For an 11-year-old, cask-strength, unusual Tennessee Whiskey, the price is almost a bargain. This whiskey earns every little bit of my Bottle rating.   

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey 10 Years Old “Groovy Staves”

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Whiskey
• Age:  10 years
• Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
• Cooperage: Single cask, new, 53-gallon charred oak with deep grooves
• Alcohol Content: 55% ABV (110°)
• Price per 750mL: $119.99
• 160 bottle yield

 

Appearance: I observed a whiskey that was dark and reddish-brown; something that was between rust and burnt sienna on a color palette. A medium rim discharged fat droplets and very thin legs.

 

Nose: As I started sniffing, my olfactory sense plucked notes of dark chocolate, aged leather, and sweet oak. I tried repeatedly to find other qualities, but came up empty. I pulled the air into my mouth and tasted a soft, barely discernible hint of brown sugar. 

 

Palate: The first sip offered a silky texture and a candy-like sweetness. The front was pure maple sugar. There was browned butter on the mid-palate, followed by sweet oak on the back.

 

Finish: After I swallowed, I finally found something spicy: black pepper. It began as a kiss, ramped up in intensity, then fell off a cliff. At 44 seconds, it was a quick duration. 

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: “Groovy Staves” refers to the unusual cask Cascade Hollow used for aging this Tennessee Whiskey. Before any charring or toasting occurred, each stave had grooves cut into them which, in turn, meant more surface interaction between the whiskey and oak. That is one reason it had such a dark color.

 

Drinking it was another story. I was admittedly excited about the grooved staves and the impact they should have imparted. However, it lacked depth and variety. It was, simply put, nothing beyond a sweet whisper. For $120.00, I want more; much more than what this whiskey offered. I’m afraid it earns my Bust rating.  

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

George Dickel Bourbon Whiskey 10 Years Old (Not Charcoal Mellowed)

 

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Bourbon
• Age:  10 years
• Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
• Cooperage: Single cask, new, 53-gallon charred oak
• Alcohol Content: 58.6% ABV (117.2°)
• Price per 750mL: $99.99
• 120+ bottle yield

 

Appearance: George Dickel’s Bourbon had a classic amber-orange appearance. A fragile rim created crowded, medium-thick tears that moved at a snail’s pace. 

 

Nose: Charred oak and caramel were easily identified. As I continued dabbling in the aroma, I also picked out bananas, brown sugar, and maraschino cherries. I drew the air into my mouth and discovered rich vanilla cream.

 

Palate: My first sip delivered immediate butterscotch and an oily texture. With the next sip, I could separate the zones. On the front, I tasted vanilla, toasted coconut, and caramel; fresh leather, bananas, and milk chocolate bathed my mid-palate. The back included charred oak, cinnamon, and a mineral quality. 

 

Finish: The best way to describe what was left behind was bananas foster. It even captured the rummy note! It moseyed its way across the flatlands before finally fading at 1:45, making for a long duration.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: I found George Dickel’s Bourbon to be such a fun sipping experience. Everything seemed well-balanced and made me feel like I was a kid again. This whiskey was well-balanced, flavorful, and just made me smile. Would I pay $100 for it? In a heartbeat. No rating other than a Bottle should be considered.

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

George Dickel Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey 7 Years Old

 

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Rye
• Age:  7 years
• Mashbill: 84% rye, 8% corn, 8% malted barley
• Cooperage: Single cask, new, 53-gallon charred oak
• Alcohol Content: 59% ABV (118°)
• Price per 750mL: $89.99
• 150+ bottle yield

 

Appearance: The golden amber liquid formed a medium-thin rim that fell in a wavy curtain.

 

Nose: As I was waiting for the oxidation process, the air was filled with a fragrant mintiness. Once I brought the glass beneath my nostrils and inhaled, mint was still the first smell that I encountered; it was joined by oak, eucalyptus, rye spice, cinnamon, and vanilla. Pulling the vapor through my lips exposed me to cherries and mint.

 

Palate: A creamy mouthfeel gave way to a generous dose of freshly baked dark rye bread. With the second sip, I found vanilla, rye bread, and new leather on the front of my palate. The middle offered cinnamon, nutmeg, and pipe tobacco, while the back included mellow oak, clove, and cinnamon.

 

Finish: Cherries, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, pipe tobacco, and rye spices melded into a flat finish. At 1:22, I’d call it a medium duration.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: In another first, George Dickel’s Tennessee Rye has never been publicly released; the George Dickel Rye you’re used to is from MGP. The only time the Tennessee Rye has been available before now is with its Leopold Bros. collaboration.

 

In some ways, the 7-Year-Old Straight Rye was a master class in what American Rye should taste like. At the same time, I don’t recall ever tasting a Rye like it. What a conundrum! I found it a stellar pour, with no faults. It drank like a Rye twice its age and a handful of points below the stated proof. Bravo!

 

Oh yeah, my Bottle rating is perfectly appropriate.

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

Wild Woodland George Dickel Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey

 

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Rye
• Age:  7 years
• Mashbill: 84% rye, 8% corn, 8% malted barley
• Cooperage: 5 casks, new, 53-gallon charred oak
• Alcohol Content: 59.2% ABV (118.4°)
• Price per 750mL: $79.99
• 664 bottle yield

 

Appearance: The blend had a honey amber color. It formed a medium rim, with tiny droplets that slowly worked their way down the glass and back into the pool.

 

Nose: Oh good Lord. The aroma included notes of peanut butter, vanilla, caramel, marzipan, cherries, and oak. Did I pour from the correct sample? On what planet is this a Rye whiskey? When I took the vapor into my mouth, I tasted more peanut butter. Peanut butter? In a Rye? Really?

 

Palate: There was no peanut butter on the first sip. It was minty and oily. On the front of my palate, the mint dominated, along with eucalyptus and rye spice, while the middle honed in on marzipan, cherries, and leather. The back carried notes of oak, bold cinnamon, and vanilla cream. 

 

Finish: Vanilla cream, sweet oak, cherries, leather, roasted almonds, and mint remained on my tongue and in my throat. The finish was short and rolling, lasting only 38 seconds.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Like the Straight Rye, Wild Woodland is also Dickel’s very own distillate, and it was damned strange. That’s a compliment. Even after polishing off the entire sample, I’m still not sure what that freaky ride was all about. How do I properly describe that nose? The flavors in my mouth – they were disjointed but somehow made sense. My only complaint was the finish, which was far too short.

 

Wild Woodland is a whiskey for the thinking person. It’s definitely not one you want to drink casually, because you’ll miss what makes this blend awesome. At only $80.00, you’ll go bonkers. The Bottle rating makes total sense.  

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

George Dickel Tennessee Light Whiskey 8 Years Old

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Light Whiskey
• Age:  8 years
• Mashbill: 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley
• Cooperage: Single cask, used 53-gallon barrel
• Alcohol Content: 57.7% ABV (115.4°)
• Price per 750mL: $79.99
• 190+ bottle yield

 

Appearance: While mostly looking like liquid caramel, there was a bit of a hue of honey. The thin rim collapsed immediately; the tears flowed so fast I had trouble catching them.

 

Nose: The nose was simple: I smelled fresh cornbread, vanilla, and honey. As I brought the aroma into my mouth, I tasted sweet corn.

 

Palate: The buttery mouthfeel coated the entirety of my mouth. There was also a complete lack of heat from the alcohol. I tasted sweet corn and vanilla cream on the front of my palate. The mid-palate offered caramel and butterscotch, while the back included a kiss of oak and black pepper.

 

Finish: Lasting 1:38, butterscotch was the alpha in this sipping experience. Sweet corn, caramel, and black pepper tried to grab my attention. But, dang, that butterscotch. Yum!

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: The special thing about this Light Whiskey is that it has never been released by George Dickel! Moreover, Light Whiskey is a fascinating beast. I’ve never had one that went through the LCP before, making this virgin territory.

 

While this whiskey wasn’t the most complicated I’ve tried, it was captivating, and I’d go so far as to say it was fun. That’s the first time I’ve used that adjective when describing any Light Whiskey. It drank perhaps 20 points below its stated proof, which means that it is incredibly dangerous. I can easily imagine someone drinking a few glasses and believing they’re okay until they stand up.

 

Why hasn’t Cascade Hollow released this? For everything holy, I loved this pour, and it takes my Bottle rating.

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

Fabled Forest George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey

 

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Whiskey
• Age:  11 to 18 years
• Mashbill: 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley
• Cooperage: 7 casks, new, 53-gallon charred oak
• Alcohol Content: 46.6% ABV (93.2°)
• Price per 750mL: $99.99
• 815 bottle yield

 

Appearance: Fabled Forest was the color of butterscotch. It formed a thin rim with a wavy curtain of tears.

 

Nose: There was a bouquet of fruit on the nose, including cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and apricots. Beneath those, I found caramel and brown sugar. When I pulled the air through my lips, I tasted thick, rich caramel.

 

Palate: Fabled Forest’s texture was thin and silky; the liquid slid across my tongue and down my throat. I observed a bold, oaky sensation. On a second sip, I found black cherries, blueberries, and apricots on the front of my palate. The middle featured toffee, brown sugar, and nutmeg, while flavors of mellowed oak, leather, and caramel hit the back of my palate.   

 

Finish: Soft and even-keeled, the finish included cherries, blueberries, apricots, oak, and brown sugar. There was a quick kiss of caramel at the very end. There were no waves or troughs; it simply glided in and out. The short-to-medium duration lasted 48 seconds.  

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: While this blend carries an 11-year age statement, about 25% of it is from 18-year-old stocks. The first sip felt much warmer than the rest. From there, I found it very well-balanced, with fruit and mild spice.

 

I enjoyed what was in my glass and found so much to appreciate with Fabled Forest. It is well worth picking up a Bottle.   

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

George Dickel Tennessee Wheat Whiskey 7 Years Old

 

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Wheat Whiskey
• Age:  7 years
• Mashbill: 100% wheat
• Cooperage: Single cask, new, 53-gallon charred oak
• Alcohol Content: 58.2% ABV (116.4°)
• Price per 750mL: $89.99
• 150+ bottle yield

 

Appearance: The Wheat Whiskey had a deep, dark amber appearance, and its medium rim formed thick, slow, medium-spaced tears.

 

Nose: Baking spices were the main feature, with nutmeg, vanilla bean, cardamom, along with milk chocolate and oak. Milk chocolate was easy to identify when I inhaled through my lips.

 

Palate: Talk about a buttery mouthfeel! It coated everywhere and left the inside of my cheeks and my tongue slick. There was zero alcohol burn. I mean, there was nothing! On the front, I encountered vanilla, toasted coconut, and starfruit, while the middle brought sweet oak, powdered cinnamon, and a bit of rum. On the back of my palate, I tasted pepper, mild clove, and the return of vanilla.

 

Finish: I found caramel, coconut, sweet oak, rum, and cinnamon on the finish, which lasted 1:40. Orange zest appeared out of nowhere and disappeared almost as fast. It lacked any intensity.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Wheat Whiskey is a unique category. Many people confuse it with wheated Bourbons. Distilled wheat is tasteless; the flavors from a 100% wheat mash come 100% from the barrel and climate. In Bourbon, it adds a creamy mouthfeel and tends to highlight vanilla.

 

The whiskey drank nowhere near its stated proof. If I were blindfolded, I might have guessed 94° or so; that’s just unbelievable.

 

I’ve had a lot of 100% Wheat Whiskeys over the years, and I don’t recall one bringing such a smile to my face as Lost Lantern’s has. It is $90.00 well spent. There is so much to enjoy here and absolutely nothing to hate. If you’ve not yet figured it out, that’s a Bottle rating!

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

Golden Grove George Dickel Tennessee Straight Wheat Whiskey

 

courtesy of Lost Lantern

 

• Whiskey Type: Tennessee Wheat Whiskey
• Age:  4 to 8 years
• Mashbill: 100% wheat
• Cooperage: 6 casks, new, 53-gallon charred oak
• Alcohol Content: 60% ABV (120°)
• Price per 750mL: $79.99
• 677 bottle yield

 

Appearance: Golden Grove was the epitome of an orange-amber color. A massive rim jettisoned wavy tears that raced down the side of my glass.

 

Nose: The aroma consisted of ripe bananas, milk chocolate, vanilla, nutmeg, and sweet oak. Inside my mouth, the air tasted of bananas.

 

Palate: I took my first sip and found a rich, creamy mouthfeel and a minty palate shock. I took another sip. This time, caramel, toffee, and vanilla hit first. My mid-palate ran into strawberries, bananas, and apple fritters (what the heck?). Oak, tobacco, and fresh leather hogged the spotlight on the back.

 

Finish: Fresh leather, strawberries, bananas, vanilla, and oak demanded my attention. Caramel and toffee needed a lifeguard. It slowly intensified but never got “hot.” It lasted 1:10, placing it squarely in medium territory.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: Like the 7-Year-Old Wheat Whiskey, there was plenty to relish with Golden Grove. Truth be told, as much as I enjoyed the former, I liked the latter better. It drank at its stated proof and was well balanced. It is worth your attention and my Bottle rating.

 

◊◊◊◊◊

 

Final Thoughts: If there is one thing I can always count on Lost Lantern to do, it is to take me on a journey similar to visiting a theme park. With the Fall 2026 Collection, it just happened to concentrate on a single distillery.

 

Some people poo-poo George Dickel, claiming it all tastes like Flintstones vitamins (meaning an overly mineral quality). I’ve had many Dickel expressions over the years, and I’m here to tell you that some of what the distillery produces has it, but many do not. Almost all of what I tasted over the last handful of days fell into the latter category; the exception being its Bourbon.

 

I can’t say that I’ve ever had a Tennessee Light Whiskey or Wheat Whiskey. These were both excellent and really showed off what the LCP can do!

 

This adventure was a lot of fun. In order, I’d choose:

 

• 11-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
• 10-Year Bourbon
• 8-Year-Old Light Whiskey
• 18-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
• Wild Woodland
• 7-Year-Old Straight Rye
• Golden Grove
• 7-Year-Old Wheat Whiskey
• Fabled Forest
• Groovy Staves

 

I want to say one last thing to George Dickel: RELEASE YOUR STOCKS OF LIGHT WHISKEY AND RYE!

 

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.