Caramel | Stewed apples | Dark chocolate | Golden raisins | A hint of passion fruit

Cola | Barrel char | Cocoa powder | Black cherry | Vanilla | Caramel | Surprisingly mellow

Oak spice | Barrel char | Cigar | Lingering oak spice

Blending bourbons from different distilleries isn’t new, but making a point to name names and shine a spotlight on the curation process is. The difference between what Barrell Bourbon does and what Lost Lantern (and a few others) are doing is purposely vetting distilleries that are known for their own distillate, that usually don’t sell their distillate to others for blending, and making a big deal about blending these unlikely bourbons together. Think of it this way, what if someone sourced Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Wild Turkey, and Jim Beam bourbons, blended them, and unleashed it on the market with full disclosure of its components. It’s likely not every distillery would be open to such a concept and allow someone other than their own master distiller or master blender so much creative freedom.

This is probably a good reason why we haven't seen a blended release from major Kentucky distilleries like the example above. But Lost Lantern’s inclusion of Frey Ranch, Watershed, Boulder Spirits, and Still Austin is noteworthy as they are some of the most up-and-coming, quickly-making-a name-for-themselves craft distilleries on the market. The aptly named, Far Flung Bourbon, is an alchemy of familiar flavors that creates new and interesting interactions with one another. The result is a bourbon you think you know, and in the next sip, tastes completely new.

The flavors on display aren’t revolutionary in any way, but it's the combining of the individual distillery’s unique calling card traits that stand out the most. The Frey Ranch, Watershed, Boulder Spirits bourbon seems to provide the rich base for this release. As on display in their individual single barrel releases, rich flavors of cola, barrel char, cocoa powder, and black cherry are the most pronounced. Still Austin, I presume, is helping to lighten the overall richness of the blend adding a bit of youth to brighten it.

Combining the four bourbons together may not have created something that is better than the sum of its parts, but instead created something new and one of a kind. You could try and do your own Far Flung DIY project, but bear in mind not all of the bourbons included are offered at the same proof point and age (remember the stated age is the youngest bourbon in the blend), and Lost Lantern is also given unique access to many of the included distilleries' barrels to choose from. As a fan of many of these included distilleries, I enjoyed the opportunity to experience them in a new way. Being a lover of whiskey is about the experience, the appreciation, and the love. A project like Lost Lantern's Far Flung Bourbon nicely captures all of that in a single release.

Far Flung Bourbon is a 582 bottle release.