This ultra-rare release of luxury Irish whiskey, limited to 333 bottles, is a culmination of artistry and devotion that has spanned decades. The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition embarks on a maturation journey that weaves through hand-selected casks, each contributing to the tapestry of tastes that define this creation, revealing a unique tale of how Irish whiskey is made.

The Devil Is In The Detail – How Luxury Irish Whiskey Is Made

The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition is an Irish whiskey that exemplifies excellence and innovation; a limited edition bottling that pushes the boundaries of luxury whiskey’s flavour – while honouring the deep traditions of Irish whiskey production. 

Matured to perfection, it builds on the legacy of its acclaimed predecessor – The Devil’s Keep Inaugural Edition – which won multiple top prizes, including the award for The World’s Best Irish Single Malt at The World Whiskies Awards 2022. This newest editi0n, The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition, has already collected DOUBLE GOLD at the John Barleycorn Awards, in the very first awards ceremony it was entered into – evidence in and of itself that this is a single malt destined to transcend the extraordinary heights of its predecessor.

So, how did we manage to do this? 

In this exclusive behind-the-scenes look, we’ll answer that very question, exploring the journey of The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition from crafting to bottling to become a luxury single malt, showcasing the extraordinary process that has resulted in The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition being voted as one of the greatest Irish Single Malt whiskeys of all time.

The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition Whiskey Maturation Process

The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition is a masterpiece of maturation, meticulously shaped under the expert guidance of Jay Bradley, the Founder and CEO of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. 

Bradley values flavour above cost when it comes to creating an ultra-premium whiskey. Indeed, all of his methods, from modifying the cask size to the charring intensity of the barrels he uses, demonstrate his commitment to excellence and his zeal for crafting exceptional whiskeys.

The whisky’s maturation starts in 200-litre American Oak barrels, previously used to age bourbon – a particular wood chosen for its ability to impart rich and complex flavours such as vanilla, sweet spices, and caramel to the whiskey.

The whiskey is then transferred to Tawny Port French Oak casks of 225 litres, filled to three-quarters of their capacity, to influence the whiskey’s development. This deliberate approach allows oxygen to play a pivotal role, enhancing the whiskey’s mouthfeel. 

In fact, it was a serendipitous discovery in a Portuguese bodega by Bradley that actually led to the inclusion of rare French Oak barrels, endowing the whiskey with its smoothness and complexity. 

The whiskey subsequently transitions into Pedro Ximénez Sherry American Oak barrels in three sizes (64L, 128L, and 250L), each imparting a distinctive influence on the flavour profile, notably diverse chocolate notes due to varying wood-to-spirit ratios.

Acknowledging the need for smokier nuances, Bradley then steers the ageing process towards bespoke, heavily charred Hungarian Virgin Oak casks of 250L.

This phase is critical for caramelising the wood sugars and suffusing the whiskey with rich flavours such as oak, toasted maple syrup, pecans, and a hint of campfire. 

The final touch is achieved with Pedro Ximénez Sherry American Oak barrels of 64L, which contribute that intricate depth and subtlety to the whiskey.

It’s also important to note that part of the whiskey recipe is the malted barley from Ireland, which has been bought from the same source for over 20 years. This consistency in sourcing the barley is a significant aspect of how the whiskey is made and helps to keep the whiskey’s traditional and authentic taste.

It is this intricate maturation journey of The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition that encapsulates the ethos of innovation that the team at The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. works so hard to honour. Our dedication to quality is the reason why our ultra-premium whiskeys are celebrated and revered.

A Masterfully Assembled Collection

The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition is a masterpiece of maturation, meticulously shaped under the expert guidance of Jay Bradley, the Founder and CEO of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. 

Bradley values flavour above cost when it comes to creating an ultra-premium whiskey. Indeed, all of his methods, from modifying the cask size to the charring intensity of the barrels he uses, demonstrate his commitment to excellence and his zeal for crafting exceptional whiskeys.

The whisky’s maturation starts in 200-litre American Oak barrels, previously used to age bourbon – a particular wood chosen for its ability to impart rich and complex flavours such as vanilla, sweet spices, and caramel to the whiskey.

The whiskey is then transferred to Tawny port French Oak casks of 225 litres, filled to three-quarters of their capacity, to influence the whiskey’s development. This deliberate approach allows oxygen to play a pivotal role, enhancing the whiskey’s mouthfeel. 

In fact, it was a serendipitous discovery in a Portuguese bodega by Bradley that actually led to the inclusion of rare French Oak barrels, endowing the whiskey with its smoothness and complexity. 

The whiskey subsequently transitions into Pedro Ximénez Sherry American Oak barrels in three sizes (64L, 128L, and 250L), each imparting a distinctive influence on the flavour profile, notably diverse chocolate notes due to varying wood-to-spirit ratios.

Acknowledging the need for smokier nuances, Bradley then steers the ageing process towards bespoke, heavily charred Hungarian Virgin Oak casks of 250L.

This phase is critical for caramelising the wood sugars and suffusing the whiskey with rich flavours such as oak, toasted maple syrup, pecans, and a hint of campfire. 

The final touch is achieved with Pedro Ximénez Sherry American Oak barrels of 64L, which contribute that intricate depth and subtlety to the whiskey.

It’s also important to note that part of the whiskey recipe is the malted barley from Ireland, which has been bought from the same source for over 20 years. This consistency in sourcing the barley is a significant aspect of how the whiskey is made and helps to keep the whiskey’s traditional and authentic taste.

It is this intricate maturation journey of The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition that encapsulates the ethos of innovation that the team at The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. works so hard to honour. Our dedication to quality is the reason why our ultra-premium whiskeys are celebrated and revered.

Award Winning Irish Whiskey

In the past year, The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. has been the recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including taking home ‘Best Irish Whiskey’ and ‘Best Single Malt Irish Whiskey’ at ‘The Olympics of Whisky’ for The Taoscán. 

It’s nevertheless a significant honour to have been awarded DOUBLE GOLD for The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition at the distinguished John BarleyCorn Awards. It signals the strong likelihood of The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition securing multiple top honours in the whiskey world over the next year.

For both whiskey enthusiasts and newcomers, there’s no question about it – The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition is an absolute must-try.

With The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition, we aimed to redefine the pinnacle of Irish whiskey, surpassing global expectations and going beyond the zenith of what was considered possible. 

Driven by relentless ambition and determination to elevate Irish whiskey to unprecedented levels, we’ve successfully forged a limited edition Irish single malt that’s now the pride of the spirits industry – and revered as a treasure in the spirits community. 

It’s our desire that every individual who possesses a bottle can feel the excitement and euphoria that helped inspire its creation. Our mission is to offer our clients groundbreaking whiskey experiences that establish a new standard across the whiskey industry and guide the future of whiskey excellence. Having secured double gold already for The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition, we are realising this achievement.

However, our journey doesn’t end here. The launch of The Devil’s Keep 2023 Edition has elevated our aspirations, pushing us to surpass what was once thought impossible. 

We extend our sincere thanks to our clientele and to all of you reading this for being integral to our mission of redefining the pinnacle of ultra-premium whiskey.