490. The Hazmat Flight: Tasting Lost Lantern's Highest Proof Releases

Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Bourbon Road! This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are broadcasting from the Corner Rickhouse at the Frankfort Bourbon Society. They are joined by a very special recurring guest and friend of the show, Drew Hannish. Drew is the creator of Whiskey Lore, a seasoned whiskey historian, and the author of the new travel guide Experiencing American Whiskey. Drew drops in while traveling to the James B. Beam Institute Industry Conference to share his elite palate and incredible whiskey knowledge with the guys.

The theme of the day is cross-country craft whiskey, thanks to the incredible team at Lost Lantern. Founders Adam Polonski and Nora Ganley-Roper have sent over their highly anticipated 2026 Spring Collection. Known for sourcing exceptional casks from under-the-radar craft distilleries across the United States, Lost Lantern has curated a lineup that pits high-proof monsters against nuanced, lower-proof gems.

It wouldn't be a true Bourbon Road episode without an epic tasting mat. The guys travel across the map, hitting four different states and a special seven-state blend, experiencing some of the highest proofs ever poured on the show!

On the Tasting Mat:

• Montgomery Distillery Montana Straight Bourbon: Distilled in Missoula, Montana, this 4-year-old single barrel clocks in at 104.6 proof. With a wheated mash bill of 70% corn, 20% wheat, and 10% malted barley, it offers a bright, dry, and mineral-forward profile. The guys pull out intriguing notes of stone fruit, green banana, and a lingering underlying sweetness shaped by the cold Montana climate.

• Broad Branch Distillery North Carolina Straight Rye: Heading to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this 8-year-old release marks Lost Lantern's first "hazmat" rye, coming in at a scorching 141.6 proof. Made from 100% prairie rye and aged in a Char 4 barrel, it drinks surprisingly smooth for its octane. The hosts rave about its dessert-like nose, finding notes of dark chocolate, mint, and burnt orange that perfectly mimic eating Thin Mints and Samoas Girl Scout cookies.

• Dread River Distilling Company Alabama Straight Bourbon: Distilled in Birmingham, Alabama, this 6-year-old wheated bourbon (60% white corn, 30% winter wheat, 10% malted barley) sits at another hazmat level of 141.8 proof. Named after a mythic underground river, this dark, rich pour delivers a "warm river of flavor." The crew finds deep, syrupy notes of dark cherry, molasses, cola, and a smoky baking spice that coats the palate.

• Days to File Idaho Straight Bourbon: An incredibly rare 10-year-old bourbon sourced from a now-closed distillery in Shelley, Idaho. Boasting a massive 154.4 proof, it utilizes a unique mash bill of 76% corn, 11% triticale, and 13% malted barley. It is an unapologetic, intensely hot pour that challenges the palate with aggressive heat and concentrated oak.

• Lost Lantern Far-Flung Bourbon 4: To showcase the magic of blending, Adam Polonski combined straight bourbons from seven distilleries across seven states (MD, SC, MS, AZ, TX, IL, WI). Bottled at 120.7 proof, it is a beautifully balanced masterpiece. The guys pick out complex layers of licorice, lemon zest, leather, chocolate, and cherry cola.

To wrap up the show, Todd attempts his own "Blendageddon" by mixing the first few high-proof pours together in his glass. Does his makeshift blend rival the masterful touch of the Lost Lantern team, or does it become a disjointed hot mess? Tune in to hear the final verdict, listen to the guys rank their favorites, and join the conversation as they explore the wild frontier of American craft whiskey!