Description

2023 Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release Irish Whiskey (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 40%           Age: No Age Statement           Country: Ireland

Midleton Very Rare, a magnificent blend of the finest distillates hand-picked by the Master Distiller, Barry Crockett, is one of Ireland’s most exclusive whiskeys. Whiskeys from the old Midleton distillery have always been acknowledged as special.

Each bottle carries its own individual number and the signature of the Master Distiller. This annual release of a new vintage is a departure for the whiskeys of Irish Distillers where consistency from year to year is highly valued. The individual nature of the selection process for each vintage of Midleton Very Rare means that each year’s vintage provides its own character.

The 2023 Midleton edition celebrates the 40th vintage. Adorned with the signature of Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman who took over from Brian Nation in 2018, the blend is made up of single grain and single pot still whiskeys. The former are derived from a mashbill of no more than 30 percent malted barley with the rest usually being corn. The latter consists of malted and unmalted barley. This year the pot still components have been increased as O’Gorman wanted to highlight notes of spice, ripe fruit and citrus. The impact of the grain whiskey is said to be less pronounced, contributing background notes of vanilla and milk chocolate. Lightly charred ex-Bourbon casks are always used, but in 2023 there are fewer first fill casks in the mix, so the wood influence on the palate is pulled back. Bottled at 40% abv and presented in a wonderful wooden box.

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Ripe orchard fruits of nectarines, apples, and apricots combine with ginger, peppercorns and golden syrup. Soft floral notes with vanilla and oak and some honey sweetness.

Palate: Juicy and sweet, ripe fruits and a creamy texture then a fresh floral element leads to orange citrus and dried apricot. Additional complexity is added with charred oak and soft spices.

Finish: The finish is long and fruity with pot still spices and oak tannins with plenty of sweet barley notes.