In rural Vermont, a new whiskey has emerged as a unique tribute to America’s 250th anniversary, blending 50 bourbons sourced from each state. Lost Lantern, an independent bottler founded by Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski, released United States of Bourbon after an extensive eight-month journey visiting over 60 distilleries across 32 states.

The project began in 2018, when the couple left their careers in Manhattan—Polonski a drinks writer and editor, Ganley-Roper a sales manager for Astor Wines & Spirits—to explore the country’s whiskey landscape. Their travels, which included 20 national park stops and numerous hotel stays, allowed them to build relationships with distillers and collect barrels representing the diversity of American bourbon.

Unlike typical bourbon releases that highlight age or grain composition, United States of Bourbon is defined by geography and provenance. Polonski personally visited multiple distilleries in each state to select the barrels for the blend, capturing the distinct flavor profiles shaped by varying regional climates and terrains. The final product features explicit recognition of all 50 distilleries on its label.

The endeavor comes amid a downturn in the American whiskey industry, which has seen a slowdown in recent years despite the growth in craft distilleries—from about 1,835 in 2018 to more than 2,200 today, according to the American Craft Spirits Association. Other distilleries have also marked the nation’s semiquincentennial with commemorative releases, including Maker’s Mark, Heaven Hill, Horse Soldier Bourbon, and Tenmile Distillery, each offering variations that honor American history and independence.

Lost Lantern’s model draws from Scotland’s tradition of independent bottling, where merchants purchase barrels from distilleries and release them under their own labels. Since 2020, the couple has released 126 whiskeys, honing a deep understanding of how geography affects flavor. Polonski described southeastern bourbons as rich and viscous, Midwestern versions as softer, Texas bourbons as bold and oak-driven, and Northeastern spirits as more delicate.

The blending process for United States of Bourbon took about a month and involved careful balancing. Ganley-Roper explained that the blend started with milder bourbons as a base, enhanced by more intense expressions akin to seasoning a meal. The couple has produced two main expressions—a 100-proof version priced at $80 and a cask-strength version at $100—both intended for annual re-release. Additionally, a limited 1776 Edition, blending bourbons from the original 13 states, was released as a one-time offering at $200.

Securing barrels was not without challenges; some distilleries had limited supply or preferred to market their own products, while navigating the logistics of travel across rural and rugged landscapes tested the couple’s urban sensibilities. Despite these obstacles, Ganley-Roper and Polonski succeeded in creating a whiskey that embodies the diversity and craftsmanship of American bourbon.

Industry experts offered mixed views. Bill Thomas, owner of Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C., noted the crowded craft whiskey market might limit the blend’s appeal to collectors, describing U.S.B. as “story-driven” but cautioning about market saturation. Conversely, Ryan Maloney of Julio’s Liquors in Massachusetts saw broader potential, emphasizing the authenticity and effort behind the project and anticipating interest among both history enthusiasts and bourbon aficionados.

Lost Lantern’s United States of Bourbon stands as a testament to the evolving American whiskey scene, celebrating regional character and national heritage in a single bottle.