McKenzie Wheated Double Oaked Bourbon and 9-yr Rye

When it comes to true craft distilling, Finger Lakes Distilling stands firmly among the best. Located on the southeastern edge of Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region, this is a distillery that lets the whiskey do the talking. Their focus has always been simple: source local grain, make the best whiskey they can, and skip the noise. The result is whiskey with a sense of place that quietly earns respect rather than demanding attention.

Finger Lakes Distilling pulls its corn, rye, and barley from farms surrounding the distillery, fully embracing the agricultural richness of the region. The distillery itself is inspired by traditional Scottish whisky designs, and the views overlooking Seneca Lake from the distillery deck are as memorable as the whiskey coming out of the barrels. It is also one of the earliest craft whiskey distilleries in New York, founded in 2007 by Brian McKenzie, with the McKenzie brand becoming what they are best known for today.

They have shown up in some meaningful places over the years. You may recognize Finger Lakes Distilling from the Lost Lantern Collection, or as one of the blending components used by Pursuit Spirits. But they also hold a special place in Seelbach’s history. Back in August of 2018, one of the very first craft barrel picks I ever did under the Bourbonr name was a McKenzie barrel. That pick, along with one other, helped change how I viewed craft whiskey altogether. Since then, we have released several McKenzie selections, and it felt like the right time to return.

One detail that often goes overlooked in whiskey making is barrel entry proof. Finger Lakes Distilling enters their whiskey into the barrel at 100 proof, far lower than the industry standard of 125. That higher water content allows more of the wood sugars created during charring to break down over time, contributing a natural sweetness and a different balance of flavors as the whiskey ages.

Selected by our friends at Breaking Bourbon, we are excited to offer two standout barrels from Finger Lakes Distilling. The first is a 6-year double oaked wheated bourbon. Breaking Bourbon has long been a fan of McKenzie’s wheated bourbon, and after visiting the distillery earlier this year and tasting through a range of aging barrels, this selection was an easy choice. The extra time in a second barrel brings richer, more layered flavors without losing its softness.

Caramel and cinnamon are joined by light citrus and a hint of roasted malt.
 
On the palate, ripe pear, vanilla cream, and white pepper are delivered with a rich, creamy mouthfeel. 
 
A hint of sticky bun on the backend spills over into the finish, which brings waves of caramel and brown sugar complemented by whispers of baking spices and seasoned oak.
 

And then there is the rye. Nine years old. Distilled from two grains. This one surprises. Sweet undertones run throughout, with a candied raisin note emerging mid-palate. Spices weave through the sweetness in a way that feels complete and intentional. It is a rye that reminds you why patience and thoughtful production still matter.

The aroma is surprisingly sweet, with brown sugar, apple butter, vanilla syrup, and candied raisin up front. 
 
The sip brings rich brown sugar, more defined candied raisin, and caramel chews accented by an undercurrent of baking spices. Peppery seasoned oak picks up during the transition from palate to finish, which gives way to clove, leather, and a hint of apricot. 
 
The finish is long, with warm lingering spice atop a tapering sweet base.
 

These are the kinds of barrels that reinforce why Finger Lakes Distilling continues to earn its reputation, quietly and consistently, one great whiskey at a time.