Lost Lantern Gentle Giant Balcones Distilling Texas Single Malt is a marriage of five and a half casks that create a wonderfully savory and bold whiskey-tasting experience. This is a good American single malt with a mash bill of 100% malted barley and a proof of 115.2.
Sample provided by Lost Lantern with no expectations
Nose
I must admit that I was caught off guard by the nose of Lost Lantern Gentle Giant Balcones Distilling Texas Single Malt. It is very mild, combining very soft peat and light fruit aromas. The smell has a mild smokiness combined with a sweet honey undercurrent. A youthful oak aroma is also mixed in with the other notes.
Palate
Initially, the palate is a stark contrast to the mild nose. It is bold, aggressive, and balanced with honey sweetness while maintaining a creamy malt character. The smokiness comes through in the mid-palate and beyond. It drinks remarkably close to its 115.2 proof - maybe a little higher There is also a dry mustiness to the palate that must come from the oak. As of this writing, I am relatively new to the single malt scene and am getting used to the single malt’s unique profile when compared with bourbons and ryes.
Finish
The finish is relatively lengthy, with some honey sweetness hanging on, accompanied by mild smoked toasted oak.