A review of Found North Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey Finished in Sauternes Casks (Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits Pick - Atlanta) at 110.7 Proof. Mash Bill: 53% Rye, 45% Corn, 2% Malted Barley. Holy cow! This stuff is sinful.
Sauternes is a famous French dessert wine made from several grape varieties. What makes it unique is Botrytis cinerea, or "noble rot," a beneficial fungus that concentrates the grapes' sugars and flavors, producing a wine of remarkable richness and complexity.
At its core, this is a bourbon lover's rye, as the mash bill clearly suggests. Now imagine finishing a 12- to 20-year-old rye in Sauternes casks. That's exactly what you get here.
Nose
Honeysuckle, butterscotch, caramel, and a touch of marzipan. Strangely, and not something I typically associate with Sauternes, here's also a rich dark berry compote woven throughout.
Palate
Honey, butterscotch, and a gentle peach marmalade note lead the way. Mild rye spice mingles with ginger and baked apple. The mouthfeel is thick and coating. This is a dense, richly textured rye that leans heavily into sweetness. I'm glad it's a rye because the spice helps temper that sweetness, though only slightly.
Finish
The rye finally takes center stage, turning decidedly spice-forward. It's a wonderful contrast to the sweet, decadent palate and provides excellent balance.
Finale
If you're in the mood for a whiskey that embraces the sweeter end of the spectrum while delivering outstanding complexity and a luxuriously creamy mouthfeel, this is it. This is a very good whiskey. My only caveat is that it may be a little too sweet for some palates. The Sauternes finish really leans into the honeyed, dessert-like qualities of the whiskey, and with that high corn content adding even more natural sweetness, there are moments when it borders on decadent. Thankfully, the rye spice provides some contrast and keeps it from becoming completely overwhelmed by the sweetness, particularly on the finish. Still, if you prefer your rye whiskey dry, spicy, and more traditional in profile, this one may push a little too far into dessert territory. Just keep that in mind.