Found North 17 Year Old Cask Strength Rye Whisky Batch 003

The Found North Batch 003 rye whisky was built around an 18 year old rye aged in ex-tequila barrels, blended then with an additional 18 year rye aged in ex-Speyside scotch casks. A delicate 21 year old corn component aged in used American oak was then added. The baking spice and brown sugar notes come from a 17 year rye and a 25 year corn, both aged in Hungarian oak.

The 2,792 bottle outrun came out to be a 17-25 year old marriage at 55.1% ABV with a final mash bill of 64% rye, 32% corn, and 4% malted barley. It definitely smells like rye on the nose, but there’s a candied ginger component on the nose that picks up on the palate as well. It’s surprisingly light in color, but don’t let that fool you: it’s packed with all sorts of pepper, spice, richness, and character. There’s a lovely sweetness as well that settles in beautifully on the third and fourth sip. Sipping neat without water, the first two sips are all power, then the graham cracker and vanilla notes start settling in with lovely grace.