Found North Hell Diver 17 Year 2025 Release

A little background

Found North Hell Diver 17 Year 2025 Release is a meticulously crafted Canadian whisky from Found North, a brand renowned for its innovative High Altitude method of blending, finishing, and reblending to create complex and distinctive flavor profiles. This limited release, with an outturn of 6,228 bottles, showcases a blend of 17, 20, and 24-year-old corn and 22-year-old rye whiskies, composed of 86% corn, 13% rye, and 1% malted barley. The whisky undergoes a seven-month finishing period in Pedro Ximénez sherry, Cognac, and new American oak casks, resulting in a harmonious and robust expression bottled at 56.2% ABV (112.4 proof). True to Found North’s philosophy, Hell Diver 2025 is non-chill filtered, free of additives, and presents its natural color, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to quality and exploration in whisky-making.

Priced at approximately $165–$170, this release builds on the legacy of its predecessor, Hell Diver First Flight, with a refined blend designed to balance the intense sweet and dry notes of Pedro Ximénez casks while incorporating Cognac casks to enhance orchard fruit flavors and temper oak tannins. Found North’s iterative approach ensures each batch evolves, with the 20-year-old corn providing a viscous backbone that supports the intricate cask interplay. Hell Diver 2025 reflects the brand’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of Canadian whisky, offering enthusiasts a bold and layered sipping experience.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Gold

Nose

Cherry, plum, strawberry, peach, cinnamon, honey, leather, oak, and spice.

Palate

Dark fruits (raspberry, cherry, strawberry), vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, clove, walnuts, and oak.

Finish

Continued fruits (raspberry, strawberry, and cherry), baking spice (clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon), maple syrup, baking chocolate, and a lingering cognac flavor.

In closing

Found North Hell Diver 17 Year 2025 Release is a triumph of innovative blending, delivering an exceptionally complex and balanced whisky that captivates with its vibrant dark and stone fruit profile, interwoven with warm spices, caramel, and earthy oak. The nose entices with cherry, plum, and cinnamon, while the palate unfolds with juicy raspberry, chocolate, and toasted nuts, culminating in a long, evolving finish of red fruits and cognac-driven dryness. At 112.4 proof, its smooth, viscous mouthfeel is a testament to Found North’s High Altitude method, making it a contemplative sipper that shines with a splash of water. However, the $165–$170 price tag and lottery-only availability may limit its accessibility, positioning it as a special-occasion indulgence rather than an everyday dram. For enthusiasts chasing a masterclass in Canadian whisky, Hell Diver 2025 is a must-try, showcasing the brand’s bold vision and untapped potential in the whisky world.

NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Found North. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.