Distillery: Iron Root Republic Distillery – Denison, Texas
Proof: 117.8 (58.9% ABV)
Age: Five Years
Mashbill: 60% Yellow Dent Corn, 30% Bloody Butcher Corn, 5% Floriani Corn, 5% Elbon Rye
MSRP: $100
Double-barreled. Slow-proofed. Built on Heirloom Corn and Texas Sun.
Lost Lantern’s collaboration with Ironroot Republic showcases one of Texas’s most distinctive craft distilling operations. The most sought-after cask in Lost Lantern’s inaugural release came from Ironroot Republic—a corn whiskey that quickly developed a cult following. This fifth anniversary single cask serves as Lost Lantern’s tribute to that original release.
This double-barrel bourbon was crafted from a blend of heirloom corns—yellow dent, Bloody Butcher, and Floriani Flint. Aged three years before being rebarreled for one additional year in a fresh cask. Unlike many Texas bourbons that push proof and punch, this one lands at a tempered 108 proof—still bold, yet unexpectedly refined.
Lost Lantern Anniversary Cask | Ironroot Republic Texas Straight Bourbon Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.1/5
Corn husk. Fresh cut oak. Cinnamon. Sweet pipe tobacco.
Strengths: Opens sharp followed by restrained sweetness. A faint smoky char and tobacco notes interspersed with dry spice.
Why It’s Not Higher: The sharpness feels slightly aggressive.
Rating Justification: Balanced between grain forward and Texas-driven boldness. Lacks a layer of softness that might elevate it further.
Palate – 4.0/5
Brown sugar. Grilled corn. Dried chili powder.
Strengths: Distinctly Texan in heat and character. Chewy texture. Touch of smoky sweetness. Mid-Palate builds with spice and savory warmth.
Why It’s Not Higher: The spice turns sharp, pushing heat toward the back of the throat, a familiar Texas snap that divides drinkers.
Rating Justification: Full-bodied. Its assertiveness could be a challenge to some.
Finish – 3.9/5
Toasted oak. Dry leather. Cayenne warmth.
Strengths: The Finish hits hard and hangs long, offering a true Texas signature.
Why It’s Not Higher: The heat dominates after mid-Palate, muting any sweetness or nuance in favor of intensity.
Rating Justification: A polarizing Finish that will thrill some and fatigue others.
Value – 4.0/5
At $100, this release delivers a genuinely distinctive experience. The combination of heirloom grains, double-barrel maturation, and slow proofing reflects a high level of craftsmanship. And yet, its bold, divisive heat may limit its appeal to some. Enthusiasts who appreciate high-grain intensity and regional character will find it a good pour; casual drinkers may find it too assertive for the price.
Lost Lantern Anniversary Cask | Ironroot Republic Texas Straight Bourbon Review: The Verdict
This Lost Lantern–Ironroot collaboration is bold, grain-driven, and unmistakably Texan. It carries the intensity of the region’s climate yet avoids the overwhelming funk that can mark many Texas whiskeys. It’s a conversation whiskey that asks the drinker to decide: Do you like this kind of power? Shop now.
Verdict – 4.0/5
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.