Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by O’Shaughnessy Distilling. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
“We believe that the spirit of family is the strongest positive force in the world and we are committed to creating the moments that bring people together.” Quite a fine and optimistic sentiment to build a brand on. O’Shaughnessy Distilling brings us Keeper’s Heart Irish + American Whiskey, a blend of Irish grain whiskey, Irish pot-stilled barley whiskey and American rye whiskey.
The distillery is housed in a former potato processing plant in a gritty part of Minneapolis. Founded by two local cousins (Michael and Patrick), the brand attracted experienced Irish Master Distiller Brian Nation.
Nation cut his whiskey chops first working five years as an environmental engineer for Irish Distillers. After catching the fascination, he trained up into distilling and went on to make liquids for iconic brands: Midleton, Redbreast, Jameson, Powers. He saw moving to the states to distill Keeper’s Heart as a great adventure for his family.
Nation got the opportunity to participate in designing the distillery, accommodating double or triple pot distillation, alongside column stills. Determining which characteristics of Irish and American tradition would shine through, he also put his stamp on the flavor of the brand.
The whole idea of Keeper’s Heart is to marry the traditions of Ireland and the USA,. The two styles are disparate in approach but similar in aim.
An eventual goal of the brand is to work those two techniques on the same spirit. A key trait of Irish whiskey, of course, is triple distillation. How would one preserve the varied congeners of the American styles through so much processing? Very, very carefully. Nation plans to pull the hybrid liquid off the pot still at a lower proof, maybe as low as 80.
The first iteration of this idea will be available to members of the Keeper’s Heart Cask Society in the form of a pot distilled American whiskey. This expression will use a mash of malted and umalted barley, be distilled three times in copper pot stills and matured in virgin American oak casks.
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Back to today’s whiskey! The tasting array was unique, supplying all three component whiskeys individually and the final blend. What a treat to get to taste everything as the blender did. Tasting conducted in a classic Glencairn.
Tasting Notes: Keeper’s Heart Irish + American Whiskey
Vital Stats: A blend of Irish whiskeys and American rye whiskeys. 86 proof/43% alcohol. Aged “over four years.” Priced around $35.
Appearance: This liquid is a very clear, light amber that coats the glass and streaks it with thick tears. The other two components are practically star bright, so all the color comes from the rye whiskey.
Nose: The nose is heavy with the cereal sweetness of the Irish pot still whiskey with some cigar-box spice and vanilla extract from the American side. Overall the aroma is pretty subtle and needs to be coaxed out of the glass.
Palate: Me oh my, this is hot for 43% alcohol. It’s hard to taste flavors. Nothing much surfaces after adding a couple drops of water, but it does taste washed out.
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