NORA GANLEY-ROPER AND ADAM POLONSKI
Cofounders Lost Lantern
Age : 39 ( both ) First Industry Job : Nora : Wine & Spirits Consultant at Astor Wines & Spirits in NY ; Adam : Assistant editor at Market Watch magazine Favorite Drink : Nora : a German-style lager or a glass of chablis ; Adam : a Vermont hazy IPA
Since founding Lost Lantern in 2020 , Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski have revolutionized independent bottling in the American whiskey industry . They introduced an unprecedented level of transparency , clearly labeling the origin of every whiskey while telling their partners ’ stories with every release .
Lost Lantern initially had a small pool of distilleries to work with , but the company ’ s commitment to quality , authenticity , and the cofounders ’ now-proven palate has shifted the industry ’ s perspective . Today , distilleries nationwide reach out to have Lost Lantern showcase their whiskey through single cask or blend releases .
They opened a tasting room and blending and bottling facility in late 2023 in Vergennes , VT , where they can now engage directly with consumers .
Lost Lantern also entered the three-tier space and outside of its initial direct-to-consumer model : The whiskey is now distributed in California , Massachusetts , New York and Vermont .
Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski took a leap of faith to launch Lost Lantern just four years ago , in the midst of the pandemic . “ We had all of our plans in place for a while but when the pandemic hit , we had to pivot and find a new way to get our whiskey out into the world ,” says Ganley-Roper . “ It was a rough couple of months but we made it happen and look at us now !”
It hasn ' t always been easy , Polonski notes , especially for him as a journalist and not a born entrepreneur .
“ But our sheer belief in the idea and vision for Lost Lantern helped me push myself to grow and become more adaptable to the daily challenges entrepreneurs face .”
HARSHA BETHI
Owner Beverage King
Age : 31 First Industry Job : Family business Favorite Drink : Not much of a drinker outside of work
Harsha Bethi is a young , successful beverage alcohol retailer in Connecticut . Already he has two growing stores under his Beverage King brand , and is known in the state for his store pick single barrels and exemplary charity work that ties into his extremely popular whiskey program .
Bethi acquired Beverage King after graduating from college . “ I took some time off to help out , and when the [ Beverage King ] store — located next to one of my other businesses — went up for sale , we decided to purchase it ,” he says . “ At the time , I didn ’ t fully realize the amount of work and effort that goes into running a liquor store .”
Bethi operates in a large market in the city of Norwalk , and in a state where new laws pose further issues .
“ My biggest challenge is remaining competitive and relevant in Connecticut ’ s ever-evolving liquor market ,” he says . “ On my street alone , there are eight of Norwalk ’ s 36 liquor stores , including Total Wine just minutes away . With new marijuana dispensaries opening across town , we ’ re working hard to retain our customers and navigate the odds stacked against us .”
When asked about personal goals , Bethi has this to say : “ Haha , if you ask my wife , she ' ll tell you I don ’ t set enough goals in life . She might have a point — I ’ m not one to set a long list of daily goals and get upset if I don ’ t hit every one . I tend to thrive under pressure . Growing up , both my parents worked multiple jobs just to put my sister and me through school , so coming from nothing and building what we have now is , in a way , my ultimate goal : to never go back to that .
“ My fear of not succeeding and not wanting my kids to experience the struggles I did growing up is what motivates me to keep pushing forward . So , in a sense , my fear of failure is the driving force behind everything I do .”
20 2025 BEVERAGE INFORMATION GROUP 40 UNDER 40