Stoli Group’s Kentucky Owl Bourbon has joined forces with Irish whiskey bonder Louise McGuane to launch a limited-edition Bourbon to coincide with St Patrick’s Day. The expression, which aims to celebrate “the long-standing ties that connect Irish and Kentucky whiskey-making”, has been created by McGuane - founder of JJ Corry Irish Whiskey - and Kentucky Owl master blender John Rhea. The blend combines Kentucky Straight Bourbons aged for between four and 11 years, said to result in flavours of rich caramel and vanilla from older Bourbons, spice and fruit from higher-rye whiskeys, and sweetness and citrus from wheated Bourbons. The barrels used for the blend will now be transported to Ireland, where McGuane will fill them with Irish whiskey for future releases. Bottled at 50% abv, Kentucky Owl St Patrick’s Limited Edition Bourbon will have limited retail distribution imminently across the US, priced at US$135 for a 75cl bottle. St Patrick's Day, 17 March, falls on a Thursday this year. “This blend tastes like the Kentucky Owl products whiskey drinkers love, with an echo of big and bold juicy fruit flavours so familiar in Irish whiskey,” said McGuane. Stoli Group acquired Kentucky Owl in 2017. The company was founded in 1879, but went out of business during Prohibition, before being resurrected by a descendant in 2014. “I joined Stoli Group to do Mission: Impossible!” - Click here for Just Drinks' interview with Stoli Group CEO Damian McKinney