Review #163: Found North Batch T8ke-03 “Mixmaster”

Review #159: Found North Batch T8ke-03 “Mixmaster”

COST: $120 MSRP for 750mL bottle (I’m reviewing a sample)

AGE: A blend of the following whiskeys were partially finished in virgin oak and red wine casks independently and then re-blended for the final product:

• 12 yr Rye Whiskey
• 15 yr Corn Whiskey
• 19 yr Rye Whiskey
• 23 yr Corn whiskey

MASH BILL: 70% corn, 28% rye, 2% malted barley (derived)

PROOF: 123.2

This expression was the third of 3 unique releases from 2024 that u/T8ke made with Found North and offered through the r/Bourbon single barrel program. Batches T8ke-01 and T8ke-02 were released at the same time, and then T8ke-03 followed up later in the year. I was unsuccessful at getting a bottle myself, but thanks to a sample swap, I was able to check this batch out. It's been a while since I reviewed Found North T8ke-01 “Smokeless,” So, finally, let’s see how T8ke-03 “Mixmaster” compares.

APPEARANCE: Golden mahogany (1.6). Slow, oily looking legs leaving a nice film on the sides of the glass.

NOSE: Oak, chocolate, and caramel show up at first with notes of vanilla cake and frosting that weave in and out. There is a faint port wine note and a touch of plum that shows up with a good swirl. Warm rye spice, a touch of citrus and clove, and black pepper provide a nice contrast to the otherwise sweet nose.

PALATE: Viscous and creamy on the palate. An immediate rush of fruit sweetness with cherry, raspberry, and plum, all drizzled with honey. A very complex oak note starts to develop at mid-palate starting off as sweet oak and begins to turn spicier and bolder going into the finish. There’s a light hot cocoa note at mid-palate as well that turns more earthy going into the finish, taking on a dark chocolate or cacao nibs profile. A light touch of red pepper berries and saffron carry this into the finish.

FINISH: The finish is long and bold. Seasoned oak carries throughout, but a touch of cedar early on. Fresh peppercorn, a spicy red wine note like a Syrah or Tempranillo, smoky tobacco and chocolate ebb and flow while a plum note lightly dances around for a while. The finish starts out on the spicy side, but it ends on the sweeter side with the plum and wine notes and a hint of tobacco to bring it to a close.

RATING: 8.6/10

OVERALL: This pour has tons of barrel character and great red wine notes. The oak notes evolve throughout the sip really adding to the complexity. While I wouldn’t call this “smoky” by any means, there are a few pleasant smoky notes that show up that provide intrigue. There’s a mild proof heat that shows up throughout the sip, but more or less to be expected for a 123.2 proof whiskey. While I’ve not tried the FN T8ke-02, I do enjoy this FN T8ke-03 slightly more than the FN T8ke-01.

 

1 | Disgusting | ...I've not subjected myself to this level

2 | Poor | Balcones Lineage

3 | Bad | High West Double Rye, Jefferson's Ocean 28

4 | Sub-par | Weller's SR, Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select

5 | Good | Buffalo Trace, Sazerac Rye, Green River Wheated

6 | Very Good | Blanton's, Holladay Bourbons, Eagle Rare

7 | Great | Baker's 7yr SiB, BBCo Origin High Wheat, 1792 BiB

8 | Excellent | Most ECBP batches, JD SiB BiB, High West MWND Act 11

9 | Incredible | Woodford Reserve Batch Proof 121.2, BBC DS #7, Four Roses OESQ

10 | Perfect | Found North Batch 08