Francin Barley Whiskey

This is an incredibly delicious and highly-textured whiskey. This is 80% Francin Barley and 20% Pinot Noir brandy. This was barreled down into 4 re-purposed French oak wine barrels that were all charred to #2 level. We would put this up against, well, basically any whiskey out there. Truly. As with all the whiskeys we have bottled to date, this is one that is meant to be enjoyed on its own so as to savor the deep and distinct flavors and enjoy the rich, silky mouthfeel that gracefully washes over the 102 proof.

This was aged 30 months in re-purposed Pinot Noir barrels. We are specifically NOT doing the thing that’s quite trendy now to finish sprits in a wine barrel (or, god forbid, the other way around). These barrels have the heads removed and then are sanded down to remove all traces of wine. Wine only penetrates about 3\8th inch into oak staves so this is quite possible. The barrel is then re-toasted to wine barrel specifications. It is then charred to whiskey barrel levels. The two barrels this whiskey were in were #3 char. Because of the intensity of the flavor of the grain, the use of only the apex material in the distillation, the textural component the brandy brings to the whiskey and the quality of the distillation (and distiller) this whiskey showed remarkable character and complexity at just 2 years in barrel which is why we decided to bottle it at that point.

This is 80% grain distillate of Francin Barley mixed with 20% of the Pinot Noir Brandy. It went into barrel at 118 proof and many trials of watering it to lower levels led us to the conclusion that the most delicious version of this rare and beautiful whiskey was to proof it to 102 with reverse osmosis filtered water to ensure the purity of the whiskey and the lack of evaporation over time.

Francin Barley is a two-row Czech barley that was recently introduced into the northwest only since the turn of the century and has found growing success between The Gorge and the Wallowa Mountains in the northeast corner of Oregon. This barley has traditionally been used in pilsner and lager style beers and is prized for its clarity and range of flavors.

The flavor profile of and to put into words that nearly everyone can wrap their head around. This is as if the best and most delicious snickerdoodle cookie had been magically transformed into whiskey. Richness, texture, sweetness and, of course, cinnamon all swirl together to give this whiskey incredibly appealing flavors, immense texture and a finish that lingers well over the top of the 102 proof ABV. This is a rare, beautiful whiskey that will cross the boundaries of any number of people who enjoy whiskey, Scotch, Bourbon or any other designation of distilled grain.

105 cases bottled.

$125/bottle