For Minnesota-based O’Shaughnessy Distillery Co., this St. Patrick’s Day marks a double celebration. It’s the primary vacation the distillery is open below the authority of Brian Nation–former Grasp Distiller at Jameson–and the second anniversary of the distillery breaking floor.
To commemorate the event, the distillery launched a themed marketing campaign titled, “Almost Everyone is Excited About Keeper’s Heart,” dedicating an apology to the individuals of Eire for relocating Nation to the U.S., inviting them to partake within the distillery’s celebration till their founding product, Keeper’s Coronary heart, ships throughout the pond.
Keeper’s Coronary heart Irish + American Whiskey
O’Shaughnessy Distillery Co.
“Eire is my residence,” Nation instructed Forbes. “That’s why it’s so vital to point out simply how a lot I care about my roots and invite each single individual in Eire to the distillery – for them to fall in love with Keeper’s Coronary heart the identical approach I did.”
Nation first realized of the model from a LinkedIn message despatched by co-founders and cousins, Michael and Patrick O’Shaughnessy, who just a few years earlier, conceptualized a whiskey that celebrated their Irish-American heritage after attending a household reunion. Upon receipt of their message, Nation took a name with Patrick and agreed to a drink the subsequent time he visited Eire.
“A lot to my shock, he confirmed up three days later. What was meant to be a fast drink became a five-hour-long dinner,” shared Nation.
At that dinner, the O’Shaughnessy’s shared their plan to develop a model from the bottom up–“creating a brand new approach of whiskey” in response to Nation–by a style profile that blended the perfect flavors of American and Irish whiskey, for individuals to take pleasure in at their choice–whether or not neat, on ice, in a cocktail or a blended drink. Although their pitch was spectacular, Nation stated it was the duo’s demeanor that actually bought him: “It felt extra like assembly up with previous mates than a first-time introduction. Their emphasis on household values and sharing moments with the individuals you’re keen on actually impressed me.”
So, after 23 years at Irish Distillers, seven of which he spent as Grasp Distiller for manufacturers like Jameson, Redbreast and Midleton Very Uncommon, Nation hopped the pond to Minnesota to hitch the O’Shaugnessy group as Grasp Distiller.
Beneath, Nation shares extra about O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co., launched in August 2021, and the way he hopes to win the hearts again of his hometown with the longer term tasting of Keeper’s Coronary heart.
Brian Nation, Grasp Distiller O’Shaughnessy Distillery Co.
O’Shaughnessy Distillery Co.
Jillian Dara: How does the spirit at O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. mirror what you stand for within the business?
Brian Nation: Household. The O’Shaughnessy household has welcomed me and my household, and along with the remainder of the group, we constructed the distillery from the bottom up. We see the distillery as our “household residence” that’s open to everybody. That is how I’m personally; I like assembly new individuals and alluring them for a great drink and nice dialog.
Dara: How do you propose to get O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. to face out in a crowded business?
Nation: Innovation. It’s what drew me to the idea, to start with, the chance to mix, experiment, and take a look at new issues. The thought of attending to develop a brand new whiskey fashion, and model, and a distillery from the bottom up has been a dream journey. I believe Keeper’s Coronary heart’s distinctive style and matched with acquainted faces from the distilling world and the pleasant and welcoming ambiance at our distillery makes O’Shaughnessy greater than a reputation, however a spot for everybody to take pleasure in, from any and in all places.
Dara: Why do you suppose now’s the time to launch new spirits like this?
Nation: Extra individuals are having fun with whiskey and Keeper’s Coronary heart Irish + American Whiskey is a really new fashion of whiskey. Whiskey drinkers these days love the flexibility to allow them to experiment with whiskey in numerous drinks and cocktails but in addition need to have the ability to take pleasure in it neat or on the rocks. We really feel that Keeper’s Coronary heart ticks all of these containers. Creating new whiskeys and experimenting with totally different methods make whiskey thrilling. Individuals gravitate in the direction of new and distinctive, whereas wanting a spirit that holds its personal.
Dara: What do you see as one of many largest challenges forward for one of these whiskey in America? What in regards to the largest alternative?
Nation: Educating customers about what units us other than different whiskeys and what it means to be an Irish and American whiskey requires further work however one thing we love doing as we’re so proud to inform our story – the class could be a problem to know and simply how the 2 kinds are blended. In that very same vein, I additionally consider that to be our largest alternative – carving out a totally new class for whiskey drinkers. The liquid celebrates the perfect elements of Irish and American whiskey.
Dara: What has been essentially the most difficult facet about adapting to life stateside? What in regards to the factor you miss most again in Eire?
Nation: Driving on the fallacious facet of the highway! In any other case, we’ve got been actually lucky and actually grateful as we’ve got been welcomed with open arms by our new neighbors and mates; they’ve accomplished every part attainable to make us a part of the neighborhood which is good for me and my household.
I’m trying ahead to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day right here and being a part of the festivities – this can be an enormous yr throughout for the festivities after the final two years of St. Patrick’s Day festivities have been muted or canceled resulting from Covid. It’s also a double celebration for us at Keeper’s Coronary heart because it marks the second anniversary of after we broke floor for the distillery. I miss my household and mates and conventional Irish meals – however trying ahead to having them right here within the Twin Cities as soon as the snow disappears.
This interview has been edited and condensed for readability.
