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While Minnesota is home to many incredible local craft beers, a new, authentic local Irish whiskey is set to make its debut here soon too.

As you might have heard by now, I'm a BIG fan of Minnesota's many local craft breweries. (And if you are too, you don't want to miss Rochester On Tap, the largest craft beer festival in southeast Minnesota, coming to Mayo Civic Center in October!)

But after touring the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, Kentucky during a trip to Nashville a few years ago, I've also become a fan of various whiskies, and am learning more about them and the distillation process it takes to produce a good whiskey.

Which is why my eyes perked up when I read about this new, authentic Irish whiskey that will soon be available here in Minnesota. So, how is it that a Minnesota whiskey can also be an authentic Irish whiskey?

That's because this new whiskey is actually being distilled over in Ireland, but by a well-known Minnesota entrepreneur. According to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, Twin Cities business owner Kieran Folliard is behind the new Red Locks Irish Whiskey, which is set to be released in Minnesota later this fall.

Kieran was the guy who developed the Minnesota-based 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey ten years ago (which he then sold to Beam, Inc. in 2012.) He's also owned some well-known bars and restaurants in the Twin Cities, like Kieran's Irish Pub, The Local and The Liffey.

And now, Red Locks Irish Whiskey is his latest development. According to a post on his Instagram page, Folliard says the new spirit is actually being produced across the pond, as they say. "It'll be distilled and aged in Ireland and blended by the highly-acclaimed Noel Sweeney," he said, noting that it "Celebrates creativity and risk, and was inspired by the creative people that surround me every day in my work," his post said.

It will then be shipped here to Minnesota where it will be handled by Small Lot Wine, a small importer and distributor based in Minneapolis. It looks like we'll also be able to find it later this fall at Kieran's Kitchen in the Food Building in northeast Minneapolis. I'm looking forward to trying it!

In the meantime, though, if you're looking for some great Minnesota-based drinks, keep scrolling to check out 22 amazing local breweries-- all within an hour of Rochester!

Red Locks Irish Whiskey Minnesota
Red Locks/Instagram
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Delicious Beers Await at These 22 Breweries Within an Hour of Rochester

Craft breweries are incredibly popular right now and it doesn't seem like they'll be going anywhere. Right here in southeast Minnesota, there are 22 breweries all within an hour for Rochester and more are being added!

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