Whenever we make a new whisky for our High Altitude Collection, we focus on matching the initial blend profile to the planned cask regimen. In the case of Goldfinch First Flight, our primary finishing cask was Sauternes.
It is difficult to enhance flavors through further maturation if those flavors are not present in the initial blend. The core blend of Goldfinch provided a textural underpinning and a foundation of fruit notes that transformed with the Sauternes influence, blossoming into a rich creamy mouthfeel with bright citrus and white fruits.
We used five different components in the initial blend:
- 15 year corn in new American oak
- 22 year corn in new American oak
- 20 year corn in used American oak
- 22 year corn in used American oak
- 20 year rye in used American oak
The used American oak casks provided the blend a base level of fruit. The new American oak casks provided balancing wood sugars and tannin. The low rye content kept the baking spices in check, preventing them from suffocating the elegant fruit quality.
Two thirds of the core blend was finished in Sauternes casks. The remainder was evenly split between Cognac casks and air-dried, heavy toast, char level 1, new American oak from Kelvin. The Cognac casks compliment the Sauternes by adding another layer of orchard fruit. The Kelvin barrels also compliment the Sauternes by providing an additional layer of vanilla and caramel to thicken the textural profile of the whisky.
59.5% ABV | 119.0 Proof
LOOK NORTH
Our mission is to make profound Canadian whisky. Using our access to mature stocks from a variety of grains, we blend whiskies that meld the heritage of Canadian distilling with the creativity of the modern age.
Found North Whisky
Our goal is to make whisky so delicious and resonant that it shines a light on northern whisky-making. We blend Canadian whisky because its entire purpose from distillation through maturation is to produce quality components for the blender. As blenders, we have access to a diverse range of old, well-made whiskies from which we can further mature and blend the whisky that we want to drink right now.
Blending defines Canadian whisky—yet, unlike many large Canadian whisky brands, our goal isn’t to make a smooth and easy-drinking product for the mass market. We’re inspired by rich, complex, and tongue-tingling whiskies that quicken the senses and enliven the taste buds. We don’t use coloring or additives and we release non-chill filtered batches at cask strength.
With every batch we create, our bond with Canadian whisky grows stronger and our senses sharper. In blending, we are meticulous. We fret about single percentage points, because we believe the quality of Found North can inspire a new renaissance of Canadian enthusiasm.
First Quadrant: The landing has a sticky-sweet texture and flavor, with a warm, crackling grip and dense red orchard fruit that sustains into the second quadrant.
Second Quadrant: As the texture rounds out, the red fruit shifts into white fruit with subtle undertones of citrus. The richness and intensity of the white fruit compliment the emergence of baking spice and floral notes that sustain into the third quadrant.
Third Quadrant: The texture fully brightens into a round, creamy quality. A counterbalancing wood tannin develops alongside the baking spice, especially on the side-palate that pairs with wood aromas and vanillin towards the latter part of the third quadrant and the early part of the fourth quadrant.
Fourth Quadrant: The fruit fades while the wood quality presents a pairing of wood phenols and a custard texture. The mild tannin note balances the caramelized sugar quality on the back half of the finish.
Resolve: After the finish, red fruit returns with a cinnamon echo.
Overall Impression: Goldfinch starts out much darker and richer than expected given the primary finishing cask, but the middle two quadrants show a burst of white fruit and creamy vanillin before it reverts back into a heavier, richer conclusion.
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