Keeper’s Heart 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt Finished in Tokaji Barrels Review

Keeper’s Heart
Irish Single Malt
Aged 21 Years
Finished in Tokaji Barrels
97 proof
SRP: $999
Review

Please enjoy our Keeper’s Heart 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt Finished in Tokaji Barrels review!

21 Year Old Irish Single Malt From Cooley Distillery

For his latest endeavor, Brian Nation, Master Distiller for Keeper’s Heart has hand-selected exceptionally old and rare casks of Irish Single Malt whiskey from the old Cooley distillery in Ireland to create a series of limited luxury whiskeys. Each cask will feature a unique finish. The first in the series is this Tokaji Barrel finished 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt. Only 130 bottles of this limited release are available.

What is Tokaji?

According to the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s website, “Hailing from Hungary’s Tokaj region—one of the world’s first officially classified wine regions—these sweet, golden-hued wines have graced the tables of kings and inspired poets for centuries.” “What makes Tokaji truly special is its unique production process. Grapes affected by noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) shrivel on the vine, concentrating their sugars and flavours. The result? Wines that combine intense sweetness with vibrant acidity, creating a balance that has captivated wine lovers for generations.”

So, what does it taste like, you’re probably wondering?

Tasting Notes – Keeper’s Heart 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt Finished in Tokaji Barrels Review

Let’s taste it:

🎨Color: Light to medium tan

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn

👉🏻Nose: Sweet pears and peaches; sweet, yet mildly tart tangerines; light sweet honey; dried apricots later on; very subtle toasted oak; alcohol appropriate for the proof
👉🏻Taste: Sweet peaches & pears, dried apricots, mildly tart citrus, light toasted oak, honey, pale caramel
👉🏻Finish: Lingering citrus & dried apricots; sweet peaches; increasingly dry later on; white pepper spice; mild dry oak; long

The nose of Keeper’s Heart 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt Finished in Tokaji Barrels starts off full, sweet and fruit forward. There’s a subtle note of tart, yet sweet, tangerine citrus, as well, and additional sweetness contributed by light honey. There is very subtle toasted oak in background, and the alcohol vapor is appropriate for the proof.

The taste brings more sweet peaches, honey, pale caramel, dried apricots and mildly tart orange citrus, with the dried apricots becoming more tangy as time goes on. Subtle toasted oak is present later on, and continuing into the finish.

Orange & tangerine citrus, sweet pears and peaches continue into the finish, and linger. The finish later turns increasingly dry, with some developing white pepper spice and mild dry oak. It is long, with a lasting deep warmth.

Conclusion

Keeper’s Heart 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt Whiskey Finished in Tokaji Barrels is quite an enjoyable pour — and how could it not be, given that it’s a rare 21-year-old single malt from Cooley Distillery? I enjoy the intense fruit in the nose, and the transition to drier, spicier flavors in the finish. In spite of the dryness and spice, the fruits do linger to the very end, as well. The flavors overall are quite full, making this a pour to savor. Have you tried any of the Keeper’s Heart whiskeys? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Keeper’s Heart 21 Year Old Irish Single Malt Finished in Tokaji Barrels review! Would you like to read about some other whiskeys from this distillery? Then check out our Keeper’s Heart Irish + American 110 Proof Whiskey Review and our Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon Cask Strength Review. Also, if you would like to learn more about Irish Whiskey, read our article: What is Irish Whiskey?

This sample was graciously provided by the brand for my review. I appreciate it!

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!