David Perkins, founder of High West Distillery, has joined the O’Shaughnessy Distilling team in the role of “liquid collaborator and advisor,” where he will work closely with O’Shaughnessy’s master distiller, Brian Nation, as the two explore and create new innovations in whiskey.
Nation is responsible for notable world whiskies such as Redbreast, Midleton and Jameson, a role he left last year. Nation joined the O’Shaughnessy Distilling family to embark on a new journey, and challenge, he said … to marry the best of Irish and American whiskey-making traditions.
Perkins, meanwhile, spent the first 14 years of his career in biotechnology. In 2004, he decided to pursue his passion for whiskey and founded High West Distillery, creating several innovative whiskeys that have won top ratings and accolades.
Their combined knowledge and whiskey making expertise will bring together two iconic styles of whiskeys as they experiment with unique distilling, finishing and ageing techniques under the banner of the Keeper’s Heart brand.
“Brian and David are blending together their extraordinary talents, to create truly unique flavor profiles in whiskey,” said Patrick O’Shaughnessy, co-founder of O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company, in a prepared statement. “They are two brilliant whiskey makers who thrive on pushing boundaries of whiskey making while embodying the mission and values of our company, centered on bringing people together for unique shared experiences around a world class whiskey portfolio.”
Perkins said he enjoys looking for ways to create new and different whiskeys, “and working alongside an experienced master distiller like Brian Nation and the full team at O’Shaughnessy is a bucket list opportunity to reimagine the boundaries of whiskey.”
Nation said that he, too, is “incredibly excited to be working with David Perkins. Our talents will come together to blend the best of Irish and American whiskey and result in something truly special.”
Keeper’s Heart will be available this summer along with the opening of the O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company’s distillery in Minneapolis. Keeper’s Heart offers a unique membership program, Cask Society, which provides whiskey fans with the opportunity to purchase a one-of-a-kind barrel.
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