Minnesota-based Keeper’s Coronary heart constructed its early status by mixing Irish and American whiskeys, or as the corporate says, “melding Irish and American whiskey traditions.” They adopted up some early consideration with a number of extra easy releases, together with a 10 yr outdated Irish single malt we referred to as “restrained however elegant.”

Underneath the steering of Brian Nation — former Grasp Distiller of Eire’s historic Jameson Midleton Distillery — Keeper’s Coronary heart is rolling out the primary in what they are saying will probably be a yearly collection of luxurious expressions. First up is a 21 yr outdated Irish single malt, initially sourced from Cooley Distillery and completed in Tokaji barrels at Keeper’s Coronary heart HQ. (For reference, Tokaji is a category of Hungarian candy wines from the Tokaj wine area.)

It’s bottled at 48.5 p.c abv with a price ticket to suit the posh classification: a cool $999. Let’s see the way it tastes!

The nostril kicks off with sandalwood, onerous apple cider, cigar field, and light-weight pine cleaning soap. Seabreeze salinity wafts in progressively, together with numerous cooked fruits: peach, inexperienced grape, persimmon, and brandy-soaked golden raisins. The wooden affect, fruit aromas, and minerality coalesce for a reasonably charming first act. And it’s not possible to disregard that aspect of onerous cider, lending the nostril a near-effervescent high quality.

Savory, tannic, and oak-forward parts lead on the nostril. The primary sip is way more fruit ahead, however in no way overpoweringly candy. (I used to be a little bit further vigilant in that regard given the excessive sugar content material of Tokaji wine.) Dried apples, cooked peaches, and pears in syrup present some basic fruit parts up entrance. By the midpalate, these transition to extra tropical flavors, principally guava, dragon fruit, and Pinkglow pineapple. Salinity kicks in shortly thereafter, paired with a creamy and cooling sensation akin to melting peppermint into white chocolate.

The again finish is heavy on oak and — as soon as once more — sandalwood. It’s a fast transition from right here to the end, extra abrupt than anticipated given an nearly luxuriously lengthy and sophisticated midpalate. Lingering notes of dry apple and pear cider by no means stray removed from an oaky core, and I couldn’t assist however think about a dry, oak-aged white wine — considerably acceptable, given the ending cask.

97 proof.

A- / $999 (700 ml) / keepersheartwhiskey.com

Keeper’s Coronary heart Irish Single Malt Completed in Tokaji Barrels 21 Years Outdated

$999