Building on their excellent reputation of batched expressions using older Canadian whiskey comes a new re-casked “single barrel” creation from Found North. As with other Found North batches, the single barrel program uses “well aged Canadian whiskies to create an initial blend, then re-casks that blend into several different kinds of barrels using different oak types and different char levels to create varying flavor profiles and a distinct style for each single barrel”. The initial blend created for these various barrels are called a “Season”. This review was created from Season 1 in December 2021 and was re-casked in January 2022 into 18 barrels. Season 1 used three different whiskies to create a blend optimized for re-casking.
Found North’s website goes on to say, “We maximized the rye spice and bright fruits, while layering in a viscous foundation”. Which consists of 50% 12 year rye “which provided the main part of this blend, contributing zesty citrus, verdant straw and herbaceous spice”. 20% 19 year old rye “aged in Speyside scotch casks which developed richer fruit notes of green apple, sugar-coated strawberries and cantaloupe”. 30% 21 year old corn “that saw 13 years of ex-bourbon and a further 8+ years of new American oak. This provided an oily depth to the palate and had a rounding effect on the lively younger rye”. Season 1 was the basis for this barrel (004) which was then additionally aged in a Sauternes wine cask for 6 months. Let’s get to it.
Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested about 15 minutes.
Distillery: Canadian rye barrels procured and additionally finished by Found North.
Proof: 113.8
Age: A blend of 12 to 21 year Canadian whiskeys. Finished in Sauternes for 6 Months.
Mash bill: 66% Rye/ 30% Corn/ 4% Malted Barley.
Barrel #: 004, Season 1.
Price: $99.
Appearance: Golden amber.
Nose
Oh wow this nose is fantastic right from the get-go! Rye bread rules with an amazing mix of toffee, honey and butterscotch with fruity notes of peaches, apricot, mixed berries, cherry and mango. Continuing this party in my nose comes orange marmalade, ginger and dill. Hanging underneath is a nice touch of baking spice and oak. The overall flavor profile is deliciously complex. The fruity notes keep me busy taking turns which is dominant. Sometimes it’s pitted fruits, other times its strawberries and other times I get some cherry. There is a lot going on. I love that rye is still the boss with just the right amount Sauternes influence done to perfection. This is incredible.
Palate
Oily viscous mouthfeel. Nose continues on to the palate with rye bread, toffee, butterscotch, mixed berries, peaches, apricot and cherry. Mid sip joins in with orange citrus, dill and a touch of ginger and oak. Meanwhile, baking spices ramp up gently covering the palate lingering through the finish. This is so freaking delicious, complex and easily drinkable neat.
Finish
Baking spice lingers in the cheeks and back palate. Soft oak tannins linger with berries, peaches, apricot, orange peel and dill for an enjoyably long finish. There is no bitterness with a bit of dryness at the end.
Conclusion
I’m not a big fan of wine finished whiskey but Sauternes is usually the exception, especially when it’s done well like this. I’ve tried a couple of other Found North batches so I’m familiar with how well their other blended expressions are. I was hoping this bottle would stack up and happy to report it has exceeded my expectations. This Found North Sauternes finished barrel is nothing short of exceptional, not to mention the best Sauternes finished whiskey expression I’ve ever had. Even if you’re a recent follower of Found North like me, you might have noticed that they are on an upward trajectory. The folks Found North have been knocking it out of the park and I’m looking forward to what they do next.
Rating: 8.7/10
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.
