MINNEAPOLIS — Red Locks Irish Whiskey is distilled at Great Northern Distillery in County Louth, Ireland but the brand is managed locally in Minnesota by three Irish natives: Kieran Folliard, Cathy O'Connor, and Gerry Diver.
It's a blend of whiskey made in column stills and copper pot stills.
They are aged in ex-sherry, ex-American rye, ex-bourbon casks and virgin oak casks - virgin oak in particular is very unusual for an Irish whiskey.
Red Locks Irish Whiskey took home two awards in the first round of this year's prestigious World Whiskies Awards, an event sponsored by Whisky Magazine, including the win in the category for Blended Irish Whiskey, 12 years and under.
Kieral and Cathy joined KARE 11 Saturday to mix up a few cocktails for us.
RECIPE: Irish Mule
2 oz. Red Locks Irish Whiskey
4 – 6 oz. ginger beer, to taste
Squeeze of lime
Mint sprig
Fill a mule mug with ice, add Red Locks, and top with ginger beer. Add lime, stir, and garnish with mint.
RECIPE: Red Locks Irish Coffee
2 tsp. simple syrup (1:1) (to make your own batch, dissolve 1 cup granulated sugar in 1 cup hot water)
1.5 oz. Red Locks Irish Whiskey
4 oz. coffee
Whipped Cream
Pour simple syrup and Red Locks in an Irish coffee glass, top with coffee and stir. Top with whipped cream.
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