Craft Irish Whiskey Co has unveiled The Devil’s Keep, the most expensive first release in Whiskey history. It’s also the oldest-ever triple-distilled Whiskey and the first bottle set an auction record last week.
Distilled back in 1991, The Devil’s Keep single malt Whisky begins life in ex-Bourbon American oak casks. From there, it is transferred to French oaker barrels, previously used to house Tawny Port. Finally, it is finished in virgin Hungarian oak.
“For many years Scotland has dominated whiskey through the sheer breadth and depth of its offering. They’ve offered everything from lower-shelf, mass-produced blends to mid-shelf, higher-quality household names, as well as top-shelf brands. Yet, there has always been a gap in the market for ultra-luxury whiskeys,” said Jay Bradley, Founder of Craft Irish Whiskey Co. “Born from a conversation with my late father, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has a single mission: to create the finest whiskeys Ireland has ever made and to redefine global perceptions of luxury, while building a legacy.”
Each bottle of Devil’s Keep Irish Whiskey is designed by Tiago Russo and comes stored in two custom-made cases secured by a custom Japanese-style lock. The cases also hold a carafe of pure Irish spring water, an “Angel’s Share” atomizer, a jar of malted barley sourced from the malting house as the single-malt, two custom-designed glasses, and obsidian whiskey stones.
Last week, the first bottle of The Devil’s Keep went up for auction and set a new world record for the highest price achieved for a maiden bottling. It sold for $60,000 (£46,000) at a charity sale in Texas, breaking the record set in August by Scottish distillery Nc’nean. The bottle of The Devil’s Keep from the Craft Irish Whiskey Co was sold to Jim Crane, owner of the Houston Astros.
“With more than two years of hard toil, countless revisions and changes to bring The Devil’s Keep to life, it was very fitting to donate our first bottle to a cause that is so close to my heart,” commented Bradley. “We’re also thrilled to be celebrating Ireland’s whiskey resurgence by officially launching the Devil’s Keep at the end of this month, which has been a crusade sparing no expense to source the rarest whiskey and the finest tawny port and virgin Hungarian oak barrels, to give the most sublime flavours – it truly is the culmination of our devotion, passion and craft.”
The proceeds from the sale of the bottle will go to a charity founded by Houston Astros player Carlos Correa that supports children affected by serious illnesses. Bradley’s own daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when she was just five months old, recovered, went into remission when she was five but battled through and is now 18.
The Devil’s Keep Irish Whiskey is officially available as of today (November 30) for the price of €10,000 (about $11,840). Only 333 bottles of the spirit will be made available worldwide and can be purchased via the Craft Irish Whiskey Co’s official website.