Bubble gum | Flintstone vitamins | Sugar | Toasted cinnamon | Sweet oak

Caramel | Cinnamon frosting | Toffee | Honey-sugar drizzle

Caramel | Cinnamon bun | Toasted oak | Mixed pepper spice | Grain | Ethanol | Watery mint

For Lost Lantern’s latest single distillery series, the company partnered with Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. While that name will ring a bell to whiskey enthusiasts, the more common name that most know Cascade Hollow Distilling by is George Dickel. Jack Daniel’s may be the name that pops into most consumers' heads when they think about Tennessee whiskey; however, George Dickel is usually just a short step behind as the second one that comes to mind.

Because MGP produces most of the light whiskey on the market and makes it from a 99% corn, 1% malted barley mashbill, many mistakenly think that is a requirement of light whiskey. According to the TTB, light whiskey does not have a specific mashbill requirement, but has to be distilled at 160 to 190 proof, which is higher than the 160 proof limit for bourbon and rye. Light whiskey can also be aged in used or uncharred new oak barrels, unlike bourbon and rye, which must be aged in new, charred oak.

Despite the mashbill difference, George Dickel Tennessee Light Whiskey shares many flavor similarities with MGP light whiskey. Its flavors are sweet and dessert-forward, with near-nonexistent oak influence. It has some spice, mainly in the finish, but it's more peppery than rye spice. Overall, the whiskey’s flavors are crisp and clean, making them easy to distinguish. Perhaps because it's younger than the ultra-aged MGP light whiskey on the market, it features more grain and ethanol in its sip, a likely result of not having had as much time to mellow in the barrels. It’s not off-putting, but those familiar with the dominating dessert-like flavors in older light whiskey may be disappointed.

Few producers offer an alternative to the MGP light whiskey on the market. Those that have are much younger and on the harsh side, lacking the flavor profile to counter the higher proof light whiskeys tend to be released at. As a light whiskey enthusiast, it's utterly fascinating to taste George Dickel’s version in the category. Since the company hasn’t officially released an in-house light whiskey product, this is a sneak peek at what they have cooking. They're likely waiting for their stock to mellow out some more and develop the stronger, dessert-like flavors light whiskey enthusiasts love about the style. Thanks to this release, we’ll have an A/B comparison if Cascade Hollow ever officially releases their own.

The whiskey in review is one of 100 bottles.