The very rare Midleton series

The Midleton Very Rare range, a prestigious collection of Irish blended whiskeys, is carefully crafted at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland. It was first introduced in 1984 by Master Distiller Barry Crockett. This range is renowned for its exceptional quality and limited annual releases. Each bottle in the range is a blend of Midleton’s finest and rarest whiskeys, carefully selected and aged to perfection. Here you will find a brief history of the Midleton distillery and tasting notes on the Very Rare bottlings. Midleton Very Rare is the latest addition to our ongoing Whisky of the highest class™

The Midleton distillery is one of Ireland’s longest-established whisky distilleries, producing some of the finest and most famous Irish whiskeys, including renowned brands such as Jameson, Redbreast, Powers and the renowned Midleton Very Rare series.

The original Old Midleton Distillery was founded in 1825. It quickly gained a reputation for quality and became one of Ireland’s largest distilleries. In response to the decline in Irish whiskey sales in the 20th century and industry-wide consolidation, Irish Distillers (ID) was formed in 1966. ID merged Jameson, Powers and Cork Distillers, eventually leading to the formation of the New Midleton Distillery in 1975.

The distillery uses a combination of large copper stills to produce traditional Irish pot still whiskey and a column still to produce lighter grain whiskey used in blends. Various types of casks are used for maturation, including ex-bourbon, sherry and other wine casks, to give the whiskeys different flavours.

Midleton Very Rare Whiskeys are characterised by limited production, expert selection, unique blends and considerable maturation. Approximately 500 to 2,500 cases are produced annually, with each bottle individually numbered and signed by the Master Distiller. The whiskeys in the blend are hand-picked by the Master Distiller from the distillery’s finest stocks, and each bottling is a unique blend of single pot still and single grain whiskeys aged between 12 and 35 years.

Midleton Very Rare 2023, NAS, 40% ABV, 750ml

The nose offers aromas of ripe and candied fruit, vanilla and floral undertones with hints of oak and honey. The palate is exceptionally smooth and fruity, with layers of sweet vanilla, caramel, green apple and tropical fruit, balanced by subtle cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and spicy oak spices. The finish is long, with lingering notes of cooked grain and soft oak.

Midleton Very Rare 2022, NAS, 40% ABV, 750ml

On the nose there are notes of ripe and candied red apples, sweet pears, chocolate, toasted hazelnuts and vanilla with hints of citrus, particularly mandarin. On the palate it is powerful and smooth, with aromas of orchard fruit, vanilla cream/crème brulé, orange peel and hints of spice, particularly cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of oak and spice.

Midleton Very Rare 2021, NAS, 40% ABV, 750ml

The nose is dominated by a cocktail of orchard fruits, citrus, tropical fruits, vanilla and floral notes with a hint of sweet cooked barley. This whisky is fruity, smooth and creamy on the palate. Its aromas include sweet citrus, banana, kiwi, mandarin, honey, marzipan, peach pie, coffee and light spices. The finish is medium long, with a sweet and slightly spicy aftertaste.

Midleton Very Rare 2020, NAS, 40% ABV, 750ml

The nose is dominated by strong aromas of vanilla, orchard fruit and a hint of spice with notes of fresh oak. The palate is bold and spicy, with vanilla, honey, white chocolate, marzipan, baked apples and pears, orange peel and a hint of cinnamon. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering oak and spice.

Midleton Very Rare 2019, NAS, 40% ABV, 750ml

The whisky is characterized by floral and fruity aromas with notes of fresh fruit, vanilla and a hint of oak. On the palate it is soft and silky, with aromas of tropical fruit, apples, pears, apricots, vanilla and light spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, rounded off by a hint of toasted oak. The finish is long and sweet, with a lingering fruity aftertaste.

Midleton Very Rare 2018, NAS, 40% ABV, 750ml

Rich aromas of ripe fruit, particularly green apple, herbal notes of anise/licorice, toffee and vanilla, with hints of spice and oak on the nose. The palate is smooth and complex, with aromas of honey, vanilla and dried fruit, complemented by hints of spice and oak. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of cooked grain, vanilla and a hint of oak.

Midleton Very Rare 2017, NAS, 40% ABV, 750ml

The nose offers bold aromas of ripe apple, kiwi, mango, a hint of coconut and notes of honey and vanilla custard. Other notes include toasted oak, floral notes of rose and jasmine and various wood spices. The palate is soft, silky and spicy, with aromas of vanilla, caramel, orchard fruits such as apple and pear, tart red berries and orange, rounded off by hints of oak, ginger and wood spices. The finish is long and sweet, with lingering notes of cooked grain and gentle oak.

Midleton Very Rare 2016, NAS, 40% ABV, 750ml

The nose of the whisky is fruity and aromatic, with notes of tropical fruit, vanilla and honey, with hints of oak and spice. On the palate it is soft and creamy, with aromas of vanilla, crème brûlée, honey, chocolate and ripe fruit, complemented by hints of spice and oak. The finish is long and elegant, with lingering notes of cooked grain, vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper and hints of oak.

What to drink? If you want a very fruity whisky, consider the 2018, 2019, 2021 or 2023 models. If you want something lighter, more floral and elegant, try the 2016, 2017 or 2019 models. On the other hand, if you want a more powerful whisky with a noticeable weight and viscosity on the palate, try the 2020 or 2022 models. Either way, you can’t go wrong. They are all great whiskies.

The Midleton Very Rare series is a testament to the art of Irish whiskey making and combines tradition, craftsmanship and innovation. Each edition uniquely embodies the best whiskeys from the Midleton Distillery and offers a complex and refined taste experience. The limited production and exceptional quality make this Whisky of the highest class™ extremely desirable for collectors and connoisseurs.