(Photo: Keeper's Heart)
On Tuesday, Keeper's Heart Whiskey expanded its portfolio with a 21-year statement finished in Tokaji dessert wine barrels. Well-regarded for its synthesis of Irish and American whiskey techniques, the Minnesota brand has opted for a splash of Hungary to juice up its latest bottling.
The new Irish single malt was selected by Jameson alum and master distiller Brian Nation from rare stocks of Cooley Distillery Whiskey. After maturing for over two decades, the spirit was finished in ex-wine barrels said to imbue notes of toffee, dark chocolate, vanilla and ripe peaches, and bottled at 48.5% ABV.
Tokaji is an umbrella term used to describe white wine varieties grown and produced in the Tokaj region of Hungary and southeastern Slovakia. Two grape types — Hárslevelű and Furmint — make up the lion's share of the area's output. Staying true to centuries-old technique, grapes are left on the vine long enough to develop the coveted "noble rot" before being fermented.
"Having always been a lover of Tokaji dessert wine, it was exciting and fun to have the opportunity to use a Tokaji cask barrel to craft something truly unique," Nation remarked in a news release. "This is just the beginning, and I'm looking forward to continuing this series of special releases that showcase the very best of our craft."
The release, the first in a yearly series slated to explore unique barrel finishes, lines up with the halfway mark to St. Patrick's Day. Fans can find bottles available for pre-order later this month at $999.
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Though Keeper's Heart may be in the business of bottling Irish single malts, the brand is based out of the O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and boasts a roster stacked with proven talent. Its master distiller is an alum of famed brands including Jameson, Redbreast and Midleton, while its "liquid collaborator and advisor," David Perkins, founded High West.
Were we to recommend two bottles that reflect that brand's ethos, we'd go with Keeper's Heart 10 YO Irish Single Malt and Irish + American 110 Proof. The Single Malt in particular is easily our favorite release from the distiller, brimming with bright notes of caramel, raspberry, raisin bread and toffee.
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