Found North Cask Strength Whisky Batch 007

To describe how Found North batches are created, it helps to understand the fundamental differences between Canadian and American whiskey. On “My Bourbon Journey” Nick Taylor says, “The most fundamental difference between Canadian and American whiskey is that American whiskey has a mash bill that determines the grain ratio during fermentation, where you are processing the grain. Canada went a completely different way. They said, we can cultivate enzymes and therefore we don’t need to put malted barley into everything and now we can process these grains individually. We can distill them as individual grains. So they make 100% corn, 100 % rye, and 100% barley. They distill it, age it, and blend it all together.” This is why Found North uses the term “grain ratio” rather than “mash bill”.

I had some questions for Nick that he was happy to answer.

Me: It’s interesting how just 4% more rye makes a big difference in spice between batches 006 & 007. Is it the elevated rye creating this or something else within the components used in this batch?

Nick: On our bottle, we say “grain” and you will often hear us saying “grain ratio” instead of mash bill because our blends (and our listed percentages) are actually liquid ratios. SO, a 4% increase in rye for us would be like increasing the rye by about 8% if it was a bourbon mash bill. We often get comments about how spicy the rye tastes despite the low rye content, but in truth, 16% rye by liquid ratio would be more like 30% rye in a bourbon mash bill”.

Me: *Mind Blown*

Me: Was batch 006 designed for a “wider audience”?

Nick: We didn’t think about it that way. Our approach to blending is more about chasing a particular flavor or aspect of one of the component whiskies we are using and then we try to create structure around it. It is possible that Batch 006 drinks a little more like a bourbon and people tend towards whiskies and flavors they are more familiar with. So maybe it has a broader appeal because of that? On the other hand, Batch 006 drinks a little hotter than 007 despite 007 being a little higher in proof. 007 has a bit cleaner body and finish. We’ve already seen a lot of preference for 006 and a lot of preference for 007 from customers, so I think it is more just preferential.

Me: I’m confused about the pair of 22-year corn components. On the website, it says that one was aged in ex-bourbon and the other in New American oak. This can be interpreted as meaning one of them spent its life in ex-bourbon and the other spent its life in New American oak. I thought that this 22-year corn component was aged in ex-bourbon for 13 years and New American oak for 9 years? Or maybe one was and one wasn’t or both 13/9?

Nick: One of the 22yrs spent its whole life in ex-bourbon and the other is the 13/9. We put “New American Oak” in there without further specifying because it often causes more confusion. You can’t imagine how many emails I get where people say, “How is it an 18 year old whisky if one of the whiskies is 13 years old and another is 9?”

Me: Where does the malted barley grain component come from? I understood that each grain was from 100% components before you blend it, but malted barley is not listed as a separate component. Is the malted barley coming from one of the other components? If so, which one?

Nick: The 1% barley comes from the rye components. While Canadians use cultivated enzymes (and actually most bourbon distilleries do too), some distilleries will still add a small amount of barley to their ryes for the naturally occurring enzymes.

Me: What is the approximate proof of batch 007 at Manager’s Proof?

Nick: A touch over 130 proof. Like 130.2.

The four components that makeup Batch 007 are :
One 24-Year Corn Whisky aged in ex-bourbon barrels.
Two 22-year Corn Whisky’s. One is aged in ex-bourbon for 22 years. The other is aged in an ex-bourbon barrel for 13 years and New American oak for 9 years.
One 18-year Rye Whisky aged in Hungarian oak.

Taken: Approximately 2 oz. in a Glencairn glass with 0.6 mls (12 drops) of water added to achieve what Found North calls Manager’s Proof for batch 007 and rested for 15 minutes.

Distilled In Canada: Blended at cask strength and bottled by Found North Whisky. No additives, non-chill filtered.

Proof: 131.8.

Age: 18 years.

Batch #: 007.

Grain Ratio: 83% Corn/16% Rye/1% Malted Barley.

MSRP: $150.00.

Appearance: Golden caramel.

Nose

Rye bread, crème brûlée, musty oak, milk chocolate, red grapes, apricot, berries, vanilla bean, orange peel, dill, sage, hazelnut, and allspice. What I love about this batch from the get-go is how the rye spice jumps out of the glass. The mature age of the oak brings out a mustiness that is a bit smoky, which gives this whisky a very mature character. This is a very complex nose that evolves over time with sweet caramel, fruit, vanilla, and oak becoming more distinct. With no water added, the rye component is more intense yet balanced with herbal notes of sage, clove, and some ginger. At half Manager’s Proof (5-6 drops) the berries become more like strawberries and the apricot is more like pear.

Palate

With a creamy and viscous mouthfeel, the nose moves to the palate with rye bread, crème brûlée, chocolate, mixed berries, dates, vanilla bean, sage, hazelnuts, and oak. A well-balanced allspice enters the sip and sticks to the whole palate. The balance is fantastic and drinks below its proof, even without added water. At Manager’s proof, there is more stone fruit, chocolate, and sweetened caramel compared to no water added. I love the richness, complexity, and flavors of this whisky.

Finish

Allspice continues with toffee, berries, vanilla, and sage with musty oak. As allspice slowly fades, oak tannins change to subtle tobacco. The finish is still very enjoyable at Manager’s Proof, but as expected, has a bigger impact on the intensity and length of the finish. With no water added and even at half Manager’s Proof, the finish is much stronger and longer.

Conclusion

Like many of you, my preference is cask strength to experience whiskey in its purest form from barrel to glass. Another benefit is the flexibility cask strength provides when adding water to slightly change or enhance the whisky’s flavor profile, depending on your personal taste and mood. I don’t usually add water to my whiskey but there are times when I’ve found it beneficial. Batch 007 is one of those times. After a lot of experimentation, I can see why Found North suggested a Manager’s Proof to get the best results from this batch. I’ve tasted batch 007 at Manager’s Proof, with no water added, and splitting the difference. I found that splitting the difference at five or six drops was my preference. This brought out the chocolate, strawberry, and pear notes while keeping the rye spice intact with a long finish.

I’ve tried almost every batch Found North has released and I love the progress they’ve made. Based on the description and other reviews, I was expecting to prefer batch 006 over 007. As soon as I put my nose to the glass, I was won over. But at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference. I get how Canadian whisky isn’t everybody’s jam, but if you’re looking or willing to try something different, I highly recommend Found North. Batch 007 is a complex, well aged, and fantastic whisky.

Rating: 9/10.

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.