Lost Lantern Fabled Forest George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey

Lost Lantern typically scours the map for emerging craft producers, but they recently took a deliberate, highly anticipated detour into the historic warehouses of Tullahoma. Gaining unprecedented access to Cascade Hollow, the team constructed a blend from seven very specific casks. Roughly a quarter of this whiskey rested in oak for eighteen full years. The remaining barrels hit eleven years. Extended aging in these rickhouses routinely causes the barrel proof to plummet. That explains the gentle strength.

Tennessee whiskey operates on a distinct wavelength. The Lincoln County process heavily dictates the underlying structure before the spirit ever touches wood. Fabled Forest captures that exact regional DNA while pushing the maturation boundaries far beyond standard shelf releases, somehow maintaining absolute balance without drying out the palate. Tannins stay incredibly tightly integrated. The signature mineral character doesn't overpower, instead sitting firmly behind waves of dense fruit.

• Aged 11 to 18 years in single-story rickhouses
• Bottled at a natural cask strength of 93.2 proof
• Yielded a total of just 815 bottles

High-aged independent bottlings often prioritize sheer horsepower. This blend opts for nuanced restraint. Dense black cherry and seasoned leather dominate the profile rather than raw ethanol heat, proving that extreme age doesn't always necessitate an aggressive, mouth-scorching proof. Massive evaporation losses simply amplified the core flavors. You will not find rough edges here.

Nose: Somewhat sweet orange peel jumps out of the glass, closely followed by seasoned oak and crushed minerals. A distinct hit of allspice grounds the brighter top notes.

Palate: Fresh baked bread and dark brown sugar provide a hefty, weighty texture on the tongue. Black pepper spice crackles around the edges while heavy black cherry anchors the mid-palate.

Finish: The sweeter elements slowly dissipate into a lingering sugary grit. Leather and dry minerals stick around for a few solid minutes.

Pair this whiskey with a smoked brisket or heavily charred ribeye. The intense savory fats easily absorb the spirit's inherent mineral notes. Brown sugar glazes on barbecue ribs will perfectly amplify the dark cherry character. It's a tremendous match for rich, hearty foods. Finish the evening with a dark chocolate torte.