Lost Lantern has garnered attention with its groundbreaking release, "United States of Bourbon," which blends bourbon from all 50 states to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. This ambitious project challenges the traditional notion that bourbon must come exclusively from Kentucky. Instead, it showcases a diverse range of flavor profiles that reflect the unique characteristics of bourbon produced nationwide.

The release includes a cask-strength and a 100-proof version, along with a special "1776" edition, which focuses on bourbon from the original 13 colonies. This marks a historic moment as it’s the first time a bourbon blend from all 50 states has been commercially produced.

Lost Lantern’s co-founders, Adam Polonski and Nora Ganley-Roper, shared insights into the conceptualization and execution of this project. They noted that while sourcing whiskey from across the country is a logistical challenge, their independence as a bottler allows for greater transparency. They proudly label each component on the bottle, giving credit to the distilleries that contributed.

The endeavor began five years ago, during which the team collected barrels from various states to create a comprehensive blend. When they finally decided to pursue the 50-state blend in earnest in 2024, the challenge escalated. Polonski embarked on road trips to ensure quality distilleries would participate. The acceptance of these distilleries was critical, as the project could only move forward with unanimous participation.

Creating a final blend that was cohesive yet reflective of various regional nuances required extensive tasting and iteration. Ganley-Roper dedicated two weeks purely to sampling and evaluating potential components. The aim was to ensure that the flavors would resonate with a wide audience—while still celebrating the complexity of bourbon.

In crafting the 1776 edition, Ganley-Roper encountered its unique challenges. The aim was to capture the essence of what bourbon tasted like along the East Coast, often resulting in a profile that emphasizes grain notes over the typical oak influence.

The final product lists all 50 distilleries in the order of their statehood, enhancing its patriotic significance. The cask-strength version, bottled at 61.5% ABV, presents a rich amber appearance and features tasting notes of caramel, baked apple, vanilla, and various spices, culminating in a complex and inviting finish.

The "United States of Bourbon" series not only honors a significant anniversary but also exemplifies how collaboration can yield remarkable results. It illustrates that, just as in bourbon blending, different elements can come together to create a stronger, more cohesive whole. These ongoing annual releases promise to keep the conversation around bourbon vibrant and inclusive for years to come.