This unique blend of New and Old World whiskies is the brainchild of Keeper’s Heart founder David Perkins, who also founded High West Distillery, and his master distiller and blender, Brian Nation, who previously was head distiller at Midleton Distillery and worked on Jameson and Redbreast Irish whiskies. Keeper’s Heart is produced at their O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. in Minnesota. Though their base distillates are presently sourced, the distillery is moving toward distilling and releasing their own whiskies in the near future.
Keeper’s Heart Irish + American Whiskey is a blend of two Irish whiskies sourced from Ireland Great Northern Distilling and one (formerly) MGP (Ross & Squibb Distillery) sourced rye whisky: 53% Irish whiskies and 47% rye. The two Irish whiskies are a pot still made from 50/50 malted and unmalted barley and a 90% corn and 10% malted barley grain whisky. The rye is a 95% rye/5% malted barley mash bill. The pot still and Irish grain whiskies are aged four years in refill American White Oak ex-bourbon barrels. The rye is aged over four years in American White Oak barrels with #4 char on the staves and #2 char on the heads. The finished blended whisky is bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV).
This review is based on multiple spaced-out tasting sessions using Glencairn and Denver & Liely Bourbon glasses.
COLOR: Bright yellow gold
NOSE: Bright, led by floral & honeysuckle notes, candied ginger, citrus, vanilla, light baking spices, sweet cereal grains, honeyed malt, white orchard fruits (green apple & pear), light mint, salted butter, rye spice & black pepper in the background.
PALATE: Clear mix of Irish malt & grain whiskies with a spicy rye – Flavors led by creamy honeyed cereals & malt followed by robust black pepper & rye spice, baking spices, & some oak tannin bitterness followed by return of creamy, sweet cereals & malt mixed with white orchard fruits, citrusy vanilla, caramel, & candied ginger. Prominent rye spice, black pepper, & oak tannins balance out the sweetness of the malt/cereals & fruits.
FINISH: 5-6 seconds – Charred oak note/lightly smoky, spices & sweetness, & some oak tannins.
MOUTHFEEL: Surprisingly creamy/oily & viscous for the proof point
VALUE: Unique & delicious cask blend that captures the essence of Irish whiskies & a spicy rye whisky
ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? Yes – I tried this out first with a 50 ml mini bottle & then decided to buy a full-sized bottle.
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