Woodinville Co-Founder Orlin Sorensen Unearthed a 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey the First Founder’s Find a Whiskey “Too Good Not to Share”.
Woodinville Whiskey recently introduced its first sourced whiskey, Woodinville Founder’s Find, as part of its annual Harvest Release. Speaking of the whiskey’s origin story, Co-Founder Orlin Sorenson said:
Working on new whiskey innovation projects with Moët Hennessy, our parent company, introduced me to the world of sourced whiskey. One bourbon I encountered really called out to me and, when Brett and I tasted it together, we knew it was something special.
– Woodinville Whiskey Co-founder and CEO, Orlin Sorensen
The first bottling in the Founder’s Find line of rare and unusual whiskeys is a 12-year-old whiskey from Tennessee, blended six years into aging with a small dose (4%) of 15-year-old Indiana bourbon. Its viscous body, incredible depth, and mile-long finish comes not only from the liquid but from the uncommon way it’s been aged: in a reconditioned barrel, a process by which used barrels are scraped clean and freshly toasted and charred. Years ago, a group of renowned distillers proposed the use of these barrels and began experimenting, only to be rebuffed by lawmakers. Which is how Orlin uncovered this forgotten barrel in the back corner of a legendary rickhouse, patiently waiting for someone to notice and appreciate it.
Confident they’d happened upon something extraordinary, Orlin and Brett entered Woodinville Founder’s Find in the 2024 San Francisco Spirit Awards Competition, where it earned Double Gold medals. The esteemed judges also selected it as one of four finalists for “Best in Class” in the American Blended Whiskey category. The judges’ tasting notes were: “this whiskey boasts an aromatic nose with notes of dried fruit, spice, and a hint of caramel. The palate is smooth and well-rounded with flavors of rye spice, vanilla, and a touch of oak.”
Woodinville Founder’s Find also earned Double Platinum in FredMinnick’s 2024 ASCOT Awards, and it was propelled to the top in a blind tasting by a panel of judges. Out of 900 entries it was a finalist for “Best in Show” and, while not the ultimate winner, Fred selected it as his personal vote for #1 Best in Show Whiskey.
The first 500 numbered bottles of Founder’s Find (107 proof) were released exclusively at the distillery’s Harvest Release on October 19 for $129.99 per bottle. The Harvest Release also featured Woodinville Bourbon Sauternes Finish. Both Harvest Release whiskeys will be available online at a later date.
Woodinville will continue to craft its own whiskey using grains from the fourth-generation Omlin Family Farm in Quincy, WA. Those handcrafted whiskeys will now be joined by the first handpicked Woodinville Founder’s Find. Details on this release will go out first to Woodinville’s email list. Interested consumers should sign up at woodinvillewhiskeyco.com.
About Woodinville Whiskey Company
Woodinville Whiskey Company is a craft distillery founded by two longtime friends and residents of the Woodinville area, Orlin Sorensen and Brett Carlile under the mentorship of an industry icon, the late David Pickerell, former Master Distiller for Maker’s Mark. Woodinville is Washington state’s largest craft distillery. It was reported in Forbes that Woodinville Whiskey “may just be the best craft whiskey in America.”
The distillery and tasting room in Woodinville is home to exclusive new launches like its annual Harvest Release in the fall. Private tours led by a distiller are available, when scheduled in advance. The distillery is open daily.
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