T8KE x FOUND NORTH: The Eleventh Hour 19 Year Exclusive

Found North x T8KE 19yr “The Eleventh Hour” Exclusive

This release features an assortment of very high age components split between corn and rye releases. Among these age statements there are 6 components in a very complicated blend that I can attest has taken the Found North team many months to complete. There are several finishing casks between new oak and two wine finishes in the bunch and I would be hard pressed to believe you’ve seen one of them before. 

This release marries old whiskeys, new oak, Manzanilla sherry casks and Constantia wine casks. Manzanilla is one of my favorite sherries – it’s drier and not syrupy, instead it’s vibrant, a tiny bit nutty, a touch fruit driven and very refreshing. I drink Manzanilla with spicy noodles most of the time. It just works. 

Constantia is of South African origin, a fortified dessert wine much like Sauternes that is in this case produced from South African Chenin Blanc grapes. It’s sweet, viscous. decadent and high in acid which makes it a phenomenal pairing to Manzanilla and new oak. At north of 120 proof this blend hauls ass. There’s a reason the FN table at the festival was a hot topic all day long. They actually ran out. I couldn’t believe it. If you liked last years, you’re in for a treat this year. 

Very rarely do I suggest the ways in which to drink your whiskey. This whiskey is big, powerful, complex and downright delicious neat. Get a dram and add 3 drops of water to your glen. This dram totally changes, more orchard fruit pops up and the oak softens a touch and it brightens. It’s like you have two bottles in one. The difference is remarkable and delicious. 

My final word regarding this release is a word of thanks to the Found North team. For the second year in a row, they blended their pants off and produced something unreal in celebration of our partnership, friendship and to all who enjoy the festival. The iconic colorway is back and we didn’t fuck around. 

  • Distilled: Canada
  • Aged In: Canada & United States
  • Bottled In: United States (Found North)
  • Age:  19 Year Age Statement
  • Components:
    • 19 Year Corn, 20 Year Corn, 22 Year Corn, 24 Year Rye 
  • ABV: 123.6 Proof 
  • Retailer: SharedPour
  • Price: $229.99
  • T8ke’s Tasting Notes:
    • Nose: Gorgeous and bright, there’s notes of apples, peaches, pears, white grape, brioche french toast and honey right away. Pepper, ginger, spice pops up right behind it, pillowy and balanced with creamy dessert and flan. Ensnaring. 
    • Taste: Rich, buttery, viscous, syrupy palate that’s dense, layered and packed with character. Dense dessert, brioche, apricot, white grape and plum sits aside caramels, rye spice, deep, pleasant oak. Blackberry and blueberry compote returns with pepper and balancing spice. A couple drops of water brings out more orchard fruit, a vibrant plum and white grape. 
    • Finish: Long, decadent finish. cigar wrapper, apricot, brioche and gorgeous oak structure carries and carries. 
    • Overall: Possibly untoppable.