The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is delighted to announce the highly anticipated launch of The Devil’s Keep 2023. This limited-edition release represents a continuation of The Devil’s Keep legacy, solidifying its position as the epitome of luxury Irish whiskey. With only 333 bottles available worldwide, this ultra-rare release is set to captivate whiskey enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Maturation Mastery
The Devil’s Keep 2023 is a testament to the artistry and devotion that encapsulates The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. CEO, Jay Bradley’s unique approach. Each bottle goes on a unique journey of maturation, beginning in hand-selected 200L Bourbon-Soaked American Oak barrels. The whiskey then evolves through a meticulously managed process, ageing in three-quarter filled, Tawny port French Oak casks of 225L, allowing the oxygen above the whiskey to round out the mouthfeel. Next, it is aged in three different sizes of Pedro Ximénez Sherry American Oak barrels (64L, 128L, and 250L), adding a unique depth of flavour and three different intensities of chocolate notes, by using three different wood-to-spirit ratios.
On sampling the whiskey at this point in the process, Bradley felt the flavour needed some smokier notes, so he moved it into custom made, heavily toasted Hungarian Virgin Oak casks of 250L, caramelising the wood sugars and adding notes of oak, toasted maple syrup, pecans, and a wisp of campfire. Finally, a finishing touch in Pedro Ximenez Sherry American Oak barrels of 64L added a final depth and nuance of flavour to this exceptional liquid. This unique process and the craftsmanship involved is the reason why the brand is called The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.
Although the Devil’s Keep 2023 was aged to perfection a couple of months ago, Bradley and his team held off on releasing it until today, paying homage to its predecessor, The Devil’s Keep inaugural edition, which was released on this day in 2020, and went on to win multiple prestigious awards, including the World’s Best Irish Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards 2022, and a coveted gold medal at The Spirits Business Luxury Masters the same year.
The 2023 edition continues the legacy of its predecessor; aged to perfection, its maturation journey results in truly remarkable flavours, including notes of vanilla, pecans, caramel, toasted maple syrup, and gentle campfire notes. A discovery in a Portuguese bodega led to the incorporation of the rare French Oak barrels, which contribute to the whiskey’s luxurious smoothness, complexity, and flavour, while the virgin Hungarian oak barrels add enticing layers of rich vanilla, wild honey, and toasted maple syrup.
Extraordinary Attention to Detail
Each bottle of The Devil’s Keep 2023 is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, presented in a custom locked case, secured by a bespoke brass Japanese style lock. The obsidian whiskey stones chill the liquid while ensuring that no dilution occurs, preserving the whiskey’s full-bodied character. An atomiser containing the essence of the angel’s share, expertly crafted by perfumer Sarah McCartney, evokes the intoxicating aroma of a maturing whiskey warehouse. Additionally, a jar of Ireland’s malted barley from the same malting house used over two decades ago, serves as a reminder of the whiskey’s origins.
The Art and Science of Maturation
Bradley’s flavour profile, and taste preference which, among other things, has allowed him to create such hugely successful whiskeys, could be described as low tannin and full of flavour, to lean on a winemaking vernacular. The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. creates whiskeys for connoisseurs who love drinking whiskey, not those who want an impressive bottle gathering dust on a shelf. The focus is always on making his whiskeys the best they can possibly be, cost comes second. This gives him an opportunity to bring a level of craftsmanship not often seen in whiskey making to the process – by constantly tasting batches, assessing, and reassessing the flavour to be able to tweak it when needed, using techniques he’s pioneered in the industry by leaning on his culinary background.
Pioneering Ireland’s Whiskey Renaissance
The launch of The Devil’s Keep 2023 comes just two months after The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. was awarded three coveted medals at both The Drinks Business Autumn Blind Tasting, and The Spirits Business Luxury Masters. At the former, The Donn won the MASTER MEDAL in the Autumn Tasting’s Irish Whiskey category, and the The Donn & The Taoscán both won a GOLD MEDAL in the Luxury Masters’ Irish Whisky Single Malt – Ultra Premium category.
The Devil’s Keep 2023 is a testament to Ireland’s whiskey heritage and its bright future. The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is championing the renaissance of Irish whiskey, with its pioneering approach to barrel-craft, and unfaltering attention to detail. The Devil’s Keep 2023 will offer whiskey connoisseurs an exceptional experience of luxury and refinement.
To discover more, visit craftirishwhiskey.com
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All imagery courtesy of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.