Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon

Nose: An unfortunate and overwhelming paint thinner note leads off, cereal grain, green rye, ethanol, mint/menthol, something bitter or sour smelling, but then the ethanol numbs my nose and nothing... Palate: Sweet and simple, vanilla, caramel, corn, mild pot still spice layered over anonymous fruit notes, earthy, maybe a dash of anonymous wood. With time, deep in the background some tropical fruits make themselves known, the kind you'd associate with single pot still. Finish: Menthol, rye, drying, tannic, slightly bitter, caramel, earth, very light heat. I usually like Irish whiskey and I usually like bourbon, so I was curious about the concept here. Also, I still identify as Minnesotan, so I had to give this a shot. The idea is good, but the execution is lacking. Keeper's Heart says this is a blend of Irish pot still whiskey, Irish grain whiskey, and bourbon. But I haven't seen any ratios or source distilleries, both of which would have immense impacts on the final product. It's hard to guess at what this really is then, but it feels like it leans heavily to the Irish grain, likely the cheapest of the bunch. (To their credit, they claim even that grain whiskey is at least 4 years old - so it really could be even cheaper.) There are some Irish single pot still notes in there, but far in the background and not enough to impress. It has to be a very small amount in the blend. Beyond that, the cross of bourbon flavors and Irish flavors just feels muddled. Both are there, but not in a way that elevates either. The bourbon parts are surprisingly demure, given that bourbon - and especially cheap bourbon - is usually pretty assertive. Without knowing what the actual parts are, it still seems to fall short of the sum of its parts. Long story short, it may be a good idea, but it's mediocre juice in the bottle. Just take a good bourbon and a good Irish single pot still and pour them together in your glass - it's likely better than this.

This is one of my preferred bottles of whiskey. Of course, I'm a big fan of Irish whiskey, so take that with a grain of salt. This particular expression has a very distinct flavor that I feel I could identify anywhere! The cask strength is excellent, as is the standard bourbon blend. It has a strong sweetness and caramel flavor, primarily due to the bourbon component, which I'd describe as a mediocre bourbon note, nothing remarkable. However, this blend is superb, and it truly excels because it's a triple pot still. I visited the distillery, took the tour, and participated in a few tastings; the staff were fantastic and incredibly informative/knowledgeable. It's worth purchasing, even just to support a moderately sized distillery with a unique and creative direction. Give them another five years, and they'll be producing some amazing aged whiskey! I'll update this review after trying it in different settings!

Glass: Old fashioned at a bar. Color: Light-medium amber. Nose: Floral with some vanilla notes. Palate: Bourbon flavors are subdued by the Irish barley flavors. Finish: Medium length with medium heat. Splash: No new flavors are revealed. Overall: 6/10 - The nose has some promise, but the Irish whiskey completely overpowers any bourbon notes. Might be good in a cocktail or to introduce bourbon drinkers to Irish whiskey.

Nose: subtle fruity, herbal, with the sweetness of sugar cookie dough. Palate: underlying vanilla pudding, white oak, and peppery spice. Finish: white oak and pepper. I appreciated the underlying pudding sensation combined with dominant oak and spice. It had a nice, extended finish. Not overly complex, but enjoyable. Purchased on sale for $25 around St. Patrick’s Day; I'm pleased with the value. The bourbon characteristics are notably subdued compared to the Irish notes.

A remarkably distinctive spirit. The nose presents a blend of vanilla and sweet pineapple. The taste carries hints of butterscotch. However, sweetness and popcorn-like notes are dominant. There are also notes of oranges and something akin to mint cigarette flavors. It's a straightforward spirit but very unique. Worth trying, but not a life-changing experience.

Apple, perfume, grain, red hots, sweet. I generally dislike Irish whiskey, and the initial palate reminds me of that style before the bourbon influence arrives with a sweet wash. It's not outstanding, but it's acceptable.