Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon

N: 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... P: 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. F: 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 at the concept here. Also, I still identify as Minnesotan, so had to give this a shot. The idea is good, but the execution is lacking. Keeper's Heart says this 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 final product. 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. 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's may be a good idea, but a mediocre juice in the bottle. Just take a good bourbon and a good Irish single pot still and pour them together in your glass - likely better than this. ____________ Please come join an unofficial Distiller community on Discord (now one whole year old!): https://discord.gg/4nfePCdyKM. We chat spirits (and other things) in real time while being a great resource to each other for recommendations, finding deals, and generally enjoying the journey together. (If the link is expired - it shouldn't be - please post a comment and I will gladly and usually quickly provide a new one.)

This is one of my favorite bottles of whiskey, however I am a big fan of irish whiskey so take that as you will. KH has a very distinct flavor and I feel like I could recognize it anywhere! The cask strength is great, as is the standard burbon mix. Strong sweetness and caramel, but mainly because of the burbon component, of which I would say is a mediocre burbon note, nothing to write home about here. However, this mix is excelent, and it really shines being that it is a triple pot still. Took the tour and did a couple tastings at the distillery, the folks were great and super informative/knowledgeable. Worth the buy, even simply to suport a semi-small distillery with a unique and creative vision. Give em’ 5 more years and they will be cranking out some amazing aged whiskey! Will update as I try 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 ar 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.

N: light fruity, herbal, sugar cookie dough sweetness P: underlying vanilla pudding, white oak, peppery spice F: white oak and pepper Enjoyed the underlying pudding feel with the oak and spice dominant. Nice longer finish. Not overly complex but enjoyable. Got it on sale for St Patrick’s Day ($25), happy with the purchase. Bourbon flavors are definitely dialed down vs the Irish notes.

An incredibly unique one. Nose is a mix of vanilla and sweet pineapple. Taste has undertones of butterscotch. But sweetness and popcorn like notes dominate. Oranges and almost like mint cigarette notes. Its a simple one but very different. Worth a try but nothing life changing.

Apple, perfume, grain, red hots, sweet. I don’t like Irish and the palette initially remind me of that before the bourbon influence comes in and is a sweet wash. It’s not very good, but fine.