Age, components, and cask type:
15 year corn in new American oak.
22 year corn in New American oak.
20 year corn in ex-bourbon.
22 year corn in Ex-bourbon.
20 year rye in ex-bourbon.
Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested for about 20 minutes.
Distilled In Canada: Blended at cask strength and bottled by Found North Whisky. No additives, non-chill filtered.
Proof: 116.2.
Finishes: : Sauternes, Cognac, and air-dried American oak casks.
Grain Ratio: 91% Corn/8% Rye/1% Malted Barley.
Price: $159.99.
Appearance: Golden caramel.
Nose
Werther’s caramel, honey, milk chocolate-covered raisins, lemon peel, Bartlett pears, green grapes, vanilla beans, green tea, delicate wood smoke, cedar, a moderate amount of cinnamon spice, and a subtle musty mushroom-like earthiness. This is a delicate yet complex profile that leans toward the sweet and fruity with silky milk chocolate, but there’s also a savory, slightly smoky, earthy quality underneath. The balance is excellent with very little proof heat.
Palate
With a viscous mouthfeel, the nose moves to the palate, with sweet caramel, butterscotch, and chocolate, with vanilla and a lemon citrus brightness. Alongside are fruit flavors of pears and baked apples, with underlying green tea and moderate cinnamon spice. I love the overall balance, especially the lack of much proof heat, making this a very enjoyable sipper. As expected, it took more than a few pours for Goldfinch to open up and land on the flavors that were most consistent with this profile. It’s a deceptively complex blend that evolved and improved over time.
Finish
Spice lingers with caramel, butterscotch, cacao, raisins, lemon peel, orchard fruit, white grapes, vanilla beans, matcha tea, toasted oak, subtle wood smoke, soft leather, and delicate pipe tobacco. Staying consistent with the rest of this profile, the finish is delicate and complex, but also long and well-balanced.
Conclusion
How much you love Goldfinch might depend on how much you love a Sauternes finished whisky. I’m a fan, and if you’re in the mood for a sweet, desert-y pour, a Sauternes finished whisky like Goldfinch will scratch that itch. Although the sweeter Sauternes flavors are the star, the underlying whisky still shines through, along with the Cognac and new American oak finishes. Compared to other High Altitude releases like Peregrine 2024, Goldfinch’s profile is sweeter and more delicate, yet it still offers a good amount of complexity, creating a delicious, well-crafted whisky that stands on its own merits.
Rating: 8.7/10.
The notes taken for this review come from a retail bottle I purchased and a 100ml sample bottle that Found North provided me 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.
