Brother Justus Whiskey Company, a Minneapolis-based and award-winning craft distillery, announced the limited release of the newest and third expression of its annual Founder’s Reserve Whiskey series, made from 100 percent American malted barley. The first and second expressions, released in 2023 and 2024 respectively, were met with numerous industry and consumer accolades. This third Founder’s expression intentionally showcases the unique flavors and textures that form from the distillery’s fresh approach to single malt production — from ingredients, to fermentation, and aging.
“Our Founder’s Reserve series allows us to explore the broad horizons of flavor that simple Minnesota water, malt, and oak can produce together, beyond the profiles of our core products,” said Phil Steger, Brother Justus founder and CEO. “This third release is special because it shows off the fresh and vibrant fruit notes resulting from our all-pale ale malted barley mash, using our distinctive approach to American Single Malt Whiskey. That approach brings together expressions and harmonies of malt and oak — our 100 percent pale ale malted barley mash, fermented seven days to generate fresh, bright fruit and biscuity malt notes, distilled at higher proof to eliminate heavier, oilier, spicier flavors from gumming up the final profile, and then aged in new, charred, slow-growth Minnesota white oak to create pure, bright caramel and fruity hard candy character.”
Each release in the Founder’s Reserve series is unique, distinct from the distillery’s core products and previous special releases. Like the others, this third expression is crafted from only 100 percent Minnesota pale ale malted barley, cold-grown native Minnesota White Oak, and water from the limestone-bedded Headwaters of the Mississippi River, which originates in Minnesota’s northern forests and lakes. Founder’s Reserve 3 is bottled at cask strength and is comprised of specially reserved whiskey, two-thirds of which were aged three years and 100 days in new, medium char 30-gallon casks, and the other third aged one year and 150 days in new, medium char five-gallon casks.
Details:
Nose: Fresh orange, candied cherry, light caramel. Palate: Candied orange peel, cherry vanilla cream, lemon drizzle cake. Finish: Toasted hazelnut and faint whisper of campfire smoke
Brother Justus Founder’s Reserve 3 (2025) is available online (shipping to most states), at their Distillery and Cocktail Room in Minneapolis, and is soon to be available in liquor stores in Minnesota.
Brother Justus Founder’s Reserve 2 (2024) is still available for purchase (very limited); Founder’s Reserve 1 (2023) is sold out.