The Latest Annual Release of a phenomenal product.
Every St. Patrick’s Day, Talnua Distilling releases one of my personal favorite whiskies. The Olde Saint’s Keep is a special limited release where the distillery gets to showcase the immense skill and knowledge they have accrued over the years of operation. This releases continues that tradition of excellence, a beautiful whiskey that spent two and half years in new Oak before being moved to Former Pedro Ximenez and Px Solera Brandy casks for two years and three months more. This release has many different notes, is layered and complex, and is enjoyable for anyone with any level of appreciation for whiskey.
If you haven’t been, then next year be sure that you make it out to the distillery for St. Patrick’s Day. There is always plenty to check out – special cocktails, delicious food, live music and more.
In the Bottle:
Mashbill:
50% Malted Barley
50% Un-Malted Barley
Age:
2.5 Years in New American Oak Barrels
2 Years, 3 Months in former Pedro Ximenez (17 Year) and Px Solera Brandy (13 Year) Barrels.
Proof:
100 Proof (50% ABV)
In the Glass:
Color:
Golden Straw and amber, very clear but leaves great oily legs on the glass.
Without Water:
Nose:
Buttery Baked goods jump out on the nose right away, joined with some sweet ripe fruits. There are some hints of honey and oaky earthy notes. It’s inviting, and not overly sweet on the nose.
Palate:
Sweeter right away, a fresh baked almond or vanilla cookie, that moves quickly into a much more complex mid palate, with plenty of baking spices and some nuttiness. There’s a hint of dried fruit like raisin. Oily mouthfeel, and medium bodied.
Finish:
A long finish with a little bit of spice, cinnamon heat, and more nuttiness. The sweetness on the finish again gives almond off, and again is reminiscent of fresh baked almond cookie.
With Water:
Nose:
More sweetness comes through with a couple drops of water, vanilla notes come out more and there is still plenty of buttered sweet bread. The earthyness does fade a little bit, but is still present.
Palate:
Soft, velvety sweetness up front, but the baking spices hold strong on the mid palate. Still is oily and medium bodied, and a little more nutty quality as well. It’s got that dried fruit note as well still in there.
Finish:
Still very long, oily, and malty. The oaky tannins seemed to pop a little more, but still plenty of almond fresh cookie and a little bit of cinnamon with just a bit of that dried fruit.
Final Thoughts:
As Stated above, this is a bottle that I always look forward to. It’s one I can’t miss, and am happy to have got every release up to this point. The 2025 does not disappoint. Once again, the whiskey is approachable and extremely enjoyable, terrific as a dram on it’s own but the Old Fashioned they made with it during the celebration was ridiculous how tasty it was, and that is something that I think is often overlooked by some people – myself included. I love sipping these spirits neat or with an ice cube, but the flavors play so well in the cocktails that it takes me by surprise. It’s a testament not only to the quality of the spirit, but also to Talnua’s bartending staff. Their cocktail menu is constantly rotating, they are trying new things, and they always are, at a minimum, extremely fun and almost always something that I enjoy. I do think I’ve had one there that I would not order again, but I didn’t regret a single sip of it because it was such a unique cocktail.
The bottom line is, if you haven’t already, be sure to get down to Talnua Distillery, especially for their whiskey release parties. You may just find your next favorite bottle, and it may just be next years Olde Saint’s Keep.
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