Distillery: Long Island Spirits—Long Island, NY
Proof: 90.0 (45.0% ABV)
Age: Not Less Than Four Years
Mashbill: 60% Corn, 33% Winter Rye, 7% Malted Barley
MSRP: Undisclosed. Online price ranges from $29 to $49
Lost Lantern Starlight Honey Finished Indiana Straight Bourbon: Honeyed Complexity in a Cask Strength Bourbon
Lost Lantern Whiskey’s releases have steadily carved a niche in the world of American whiskey for showcasing distinctive, transparently sourced single casks from some of the best craft distilleries across the country. Their Spring 2025 Collection continues that mission, and one standout among the lineup is a collaboration with Starlight Distillery in southern Indiana.
This expression starts with a 4-year-old straight bourbon distilled at Starlight—a family-owned distillery with deep agricultural roots through Huber’s Orchard & Winery, which has operated since 1843. What makes this release unique is its three-month finish in barrels that previously held local barrel-aged honey.
Only 265 bottles were produced, bottled at 110 proof. It’s a bold pour that walks the line between traditional bourbon character and a layers of sweetness from the honey cask finish.
Lost Lantern Starlight Honey Finished Indiana Straight Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 2/5
The Nose opens like a Spring afternoon when the pollen is yellow & thick on the cars, the bees are buzzing, and hay fever season is in full bloom. That’s an accurate word picture but one which doesn’t generate an endearment for this expression. Notes of wildflowers, burnt honey and Bradford Pear blossoms. The higher proof reveals subtle notes of cracked grain and soft clove.
Palate – 2.5/5
On the first sip, the texture is viscous, almost syrupy type quality. Flavors of toasted cereal and citrus peel come forward quickly, followed by a warm wave of honeyed sweetness that is deeply interwoven in the flavors. There’s surprising peppery notes mid-Palate, giving a complexity to the bourbon.
Finish – 3.5/5
The Finish is long and gently warming, with notes of honeycomb, dried flowers, vanilla and oak. There’s just enough tannin to add some tanginess, but it fades cleanly into sweetness. It’s the kind of Finish that leaves an impression.
Value – 2.5/5
At $80, this cask strength, honey-finished single barrel release reflects the limited availability and high degree of transparency offered by both Lost Lantern and Starlight. Given the small batch size (265 bottles) and the thoughtful use of estate honey barrels, this is a bottle that could be said is both authentic and distinctive.
Lost Lantern Starlight Honey Finished Indiana Straight Bourbon Review: The Verdict
The honey cask influence puts a unique twist on the bourbon but doesn’t elevate it.
This pour will appeal to those who enjoy unusually flavorful cask finishes but it will not appeal to a bourbon purist or someone who seeks that serves to enhance the original flavors.
Verdict – 2.6/5
We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.
Scoring System:
- Platinum – 4.5 – 5
- Gold – 4 – 4.5
- Silver – 3 – 4
- Bronze – <3
Mike Long is a staff writer at Bourbon Inspector and has an Executive Bourbon Steward designation from the Stave and Thief Society. He’s a former “wine guy” who discovered his love for bourbon years back at a spur-of-the-moment bourbon tasting he attended. He also loves traveling throughout America with his wife of over 37 years, Debby.