A Rare 25-Year Canadian Whiskey From Proof & Wood

We've long been fans of Proof & Wood. Based in Washington, DC, they've built their reputation around sourcing and blending, and over the years we've offered a number of their straight bourbons and ryes, including some that have ended up among our favorite barrels of the year.

In recent years, we've also seen them lean into more unique and experimental releases. We've had everything from double-oaked bourbon that spent nearly half its life in secondary oak to, most recently, their Tumblin' Dice Rye finished in Orange Liqueur barrels. Today, we're revisiting a whiskey we haven't seen on Seelbach's in several years, now with a new name, a new label, and a few more years under its belt.

Introducing Proof & Wood Northern Lightning, a 25-year-old Canadian Whiskey bottled at a staggering 160 proof.

We first offered this whiskey when it was 21 years old. Like that original release, Northern Lightning is a blend of Canadian corn, rye, and malt whiskey distilled in 2000 or earlier and barreled in 2000. This release, however, is a very different beast. While the previous bottling came in at a more approachable 104 proof, Northern Lightning clocks in at 80% ABV. That's not something you come across every day, especially in a whiskey with a quarter-century of age behind it.

We also don't have many bottles of it, so if proof and age are two things you chase, here's your chance.

While there’s certainly a bit of proof on the nose at first, what surprises me beyond that is a bouquet of crisp green apple, fresh pear, honeysuckle, warm brioche, and dry, sweet oak.

There’s no denying this pour packs a punch. As the palate acclimates, layers begin to reveal themselves, from peach sorbet and tiramisu to candied tangerine and antique oak. Some of those delicate florals and crisp fruit notes from the nose carry through, now joined by touches of honey. Don’t be afraid to add a splash or two of water here. It helps tame the bite without sacrificing the depth of flavor.

The mouthfeel is lusciously creamy yet silky, gradually growing drier, maltier, and oakier as the upfront sweetness begins to fade. Still, it leaves behind a lingering tingle of hot honey and white pepper across the tongue and sides of the mouth.