Distillery: Finger Lakes Distilling—Seneca Lake, NY
Proof: 91.8 (45.9% ABV)
Age: Six years plus three months in Pommeau Cask
Mashbill: 80% Rye, 15% Corn, 5% Malted Barley
MSRP: $100
Apples, Spice, and a New York Rye with Vineyard Influence
As part of its Spring 2025 Collection, Lost Lantern continues to spotlight standout craft distilleries through single cask expressions that reflect place, process, and personality. One of the more distinctive bottles in this latest series is a collaboration with Finger Lakes Distilling in Upstate New York—a rye whiskey finished in Pommeau barrels.
For those who (like me) are unfamiliar, Pommeau is a French-inspired fortified apple wine made by blending fresh apple juice with apple brandy, then aging it in oak. Typically sweet and rich, Pommeau imparts deep orchard fruit notes—particularly apple, warm spice, and a light acidity.
Lost Lantern Finger Lakes Distilling Pommeau Finished New York Straight Rye Review: Tasting Notes
Nose – 4.5/5
A burst of spiced apple cider leads the way—baked apple, cinnamon stick, and a dash of nutmeg. There’s a note of plums and light oak char. The Pommeau cask influence seems to belay the herbal notes that are normally present on a straight rye whiskey.
Palate – 4.5/5
The first sip reveals a thick, silky and rounded texture, with flavors of cooked apples, dark honey, along with a touch of black pepper. Mid-Palate brings in baking spice, soft brown sugar, and just a trace of green apple tartness that keeps the flavor bright. There’s complexity here, but it’s wonderfully embraced as the sweetness and spice play off each other.
Finish – 4/5
The Finish is medium in length and lands gently, with lingering notes of caramel apple, vanilla bean, and rye grain. A faint cider vinegar tang adds a unique punctuation mark at the end, obviously paying tribute to the cask finish.
Value – 3.5/5
At $100, this bottle sits in the premium single cask space—but with only 205 bottles produced and a Finish that is rare, the price is defensible and reasonable. For drinkers interested in unconventional cask finishes or rye expressions that move beyond traditional oak, this release offers a highly rewarding experience. The apple-driven flavor profile and balanced proof point makes for a satisfying sipper.
Lost Lantern Finger Lakes Distilling Pommeau Finished New York Straight Rye Review: The Verdict
In a world of many unique Secondary Finishing, this Lost Lantern single cask is compelling. The Pommeau cask finish adds an elegance and fruit-driven complexity, enhancing the rye instead of covering it. It’s a well-executed release that showcases Finger Lakes Distilling’s skill and Lost Lantern’s ability to identify truly unique barrels worth bottling.
For fans of rye whiskey—or those who simply enjoy a fruit-forward twist done right—this bottle belongs in your rotation.
Verdict – 4.1/5
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.