Season 5 age, component, and cask type:
26% – 10 yr Rye – Ex-bourbon
26% – 12 yr Rye – Used American oak
2% – 20 yr Rye – Hungarian oak
17% – 14 yr Corn – Used American oak
29% – 16 yr Corn – New American oak
Barrel finishes:
Barrel #5977 Cognac 37.00%
Barrel #5961 Sauternes 18.00%
Barrel #5981 Sauternes 20.00%
Barrel #5964 Ruby Port 20.00%
Barrel #5979 Ex-Bourbon Maple Syrup 5.00%
Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested for about 20 minutes.
Distilled In Canada: Blended at cask strength. No additives, non-chill filtered.
Proof: 111.1.
Age: 10 to 20 years.
Grain Ratio: 53% Rye/45% Corn/2% Malted Barley.
Price: $149.00.
Appearance: Copper.
Nose
Toffee, chocolate, red berries, cherries, maple, floral, green tea, vanilla bean, orange peel, cinnamon red hots, and toasted hazelnuts. There’s a considerable amount of spiciness, but with some swirling, time, and patience, you’re rewarded with a complex and delicious range of flavors.
Palate
The nose is similar to the palate with toffee, red berries, green tea, maple, orange peel, floral, cinnamon spice, and toasted hazelnuts. While the palate isn’t as rich or complex as the nose, it’s still very tasty. There’s also a creamy mouthfeel and a surprisingly well-balanced spice that creates a nice contrast to the sweeter flavors, while making this an enjoyable sipper. I especially like how the rye whiskey shines through without being overpowered by the additional finishes.
Finish
Cinnamon spice continues with berries, cherries, rye bread, floral, and oak. As the finish continues, it becomes drier, with pipe tobacco developing, bringing with it notes of berries, spice, and vanilla. As this very long and complex finish ends, you’re left with an old, musty oak note and a bit of dryness, with no bitterness.
Conclusion
What’s unique about the Found North Season 005 Single Barrel releases is its high rye grain ratio, which we haven’t seen since Season 001, or in a flagship release since Batch 003. This is a refreshing departure from the recent Found North flagship releases, especially if you’re a fan of Canadian rye whisky (which I am). I think the folks at The Prime Barrel did a great job putting this blend together, but for the price, it’s not a release I’d risk purchasing unless I knew it was up my alley. If this Found North Single Barrel Private Blend speaks to you, it’s available on The Prime Barrel website.
Rating: 7.8/10.
The notes taken for this review come from a 2-ounce sample bottle provided by The Prime Barrel at no cost and without any stipulations. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
