Caramel | Malt | Nutty undertone | Citrus | Light

Vanilla | Caramel | Earthy base | Fresh cut grass | Baking spices | Stone fruit | Sweet

Light cocoa | Caramel | Baking spices | Smoke | Medium length

Keeper’s Heart Whiskey was created by cousins Patrick and Michael O’Shaughnessy, along with Michael’s father Gerry. The three founders created O’Shaughnessy Distillery, which was built in an old potato factory in their hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota and features three copper pot stills. They also acquired aged Irish whiskey stocks, and brought master distiller Brian Nation in, who spent the last seven years distilling Irish whiskey for Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Spot, and Powers Irish Whiskey.

Irish + Bourbon combines two unlikely whiskey styles. The blend percentages are undisclosed, but whether due to a higher portion or the composition of the bourbon used, it feels like the Irish whiskey component lays the dominant base with complementary sweet notes of caramel and vanilla mingling in, presumably arising from the bourbon component. While the overall concept is equally unique as it is head-scratching, it actually comes together fairly well and suggests there’s a place for this type of combination that’s worth further exploration. At $35, it’s a solid deal for a unique tasting whiskey, though its presumed reliance on its Irish component may be a stretch for more traditional bourbon drinkers.