PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Midleton Very Rare was created in 1984 by Master Distiller Barry Crockett as an example of excellence in Irish whiskey, and it has held that standing ever since. Every year, the Master Distiller hand-selects and blends the finest and rarest single pot still and single grain whiskeys available, and releases the result in a limited annual vintage. The 2024 release is a landmark: it marks the 40th anniversary of the series, with an anniversary gift box in a recyclable package, and it’s Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman’s fourth vintage.
O’Gorman drew from Midleton’s Warehouse A2, a traditional stone warehouse dating to the 1860s where only the most exceptional liquid is kept for maturation, to hand-pick rare single pot still and single grain whiskeys. They were matured in a mixture of first-fill ex-American whiskey oak barrels and a small number of refill barrels. This year’s twist is an increase in first-fill barrels, which contribute vanilla, toasted oak, and sweetness, along with an enhanced proportion of grain whiskey. The result, the distillery says, is “a liquid deliciously well-balanced between distillate character and wood contribution.” As O’Gorman explains: “While every year the Master Distiller adds their own unique touch to the final product, the profile and very essence of Midleton Very Rare remains the same.”
The official tasting notes describe a nose of “richly scented vanilla with delightful floral and herbal notes to the fore,” with “aromas of orchard fruits” gently building over time, “adding ripe apple and sweet pear,” plus hints of cinnamon, clove, fresh hay, toffee, and heather honey. The palate is “silky smooth and luscious at first with mouth-watering tropical fruit notes of peach and nectarine, combining effortlessly with the decadent tastes of crème brûlée, toffee-apple and chocolate dipped honeycomb,” with “delicate floral grain qualities and full-bodied pot still spices” blending “seamlessly with the charred oak influences.” The finish is “lasting,” with “the fruits and American oak” continuing “to softly linger until the very end.” It’s a soft, fruity, creamy Irish whiskey, bottled at 40% ABV, and a collectible bottle for anyone following the series, especially in its anniversary year.
Midleton Very Rare 2024 Vintage Release is produced by Irish Distillers at Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, under Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman. It is a blend of single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys from Warehouse A2, matured in first-fill and a small number of refill ex-American whiskey oak barrels, with more first-fill barrels and more grain than in previous years. Presented in a recyclable gift box marking the brand’s 40th anniversary. Bottled at 40% ABV / 80 proof, 700ml, in a limited annual release.
No independent critic scores are published for this release.
Midleton (official tasting notes):
“Nose: Richly scented vanilla with delightful floral and herbal notes to the fore, while aromas of orchard fruits gently build over time, adding ripe apple and sweet pear. Taste: Silky smooth and luscious at first with mouth-watering tropical fruit notes of peach and nectarine, combining effortlessly with the decadent tastes of crème brûlée, toffee-apple and chocolate dipped honeycomb. The delicate floral grain qualities and full-bodied pot still spices combine seamlessly with the charred oak influences, showcasing a wonderfully balanced yet complex and elegant whiskey. Finish: Lasting finish which sees the fruits and American oak continue to softly linger until the very end.”
Nose
Rich vanilla and floral and herbal notes, with ripe apple, sweet pear, cinnamon, clove, fresh hay, toffee, and heather honey.
Palate
Silky and full-bodied, with tropical peach and nectarine, crème brûlée, toffee apple, and chocolate-dipped honeycomb, with pot still spice and gentle charred oak.
Finish
Long and refined, with lingering fruit and soft American oak.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Blended Irish Whiskey — Single Pot Still & Single Grain, Vintage Release |
| ABV / Proof | 40% ABV / 80 Proof |
| Source | Warehouse A2, a stone warehouse dating to the 1860s |
| Maturation | First-fill and refill ex-American whiskey oak barrels |
| Distillery | Midleton Distillery — County Cork, Ireland |
| Master Distiller | Kevin O’Gorman (4th vintage) |
| Occasion | 40th anniversary of Midleton Very Rare (1984–2024) |
| Presentation | Recyclable gift box |
| Style / Identity | A creamy, fruit-forward vintage with more first-fill oak and grain whiskey than past releases |
| Aromas & Flavors | Vanilla, apple, pear, peach, nectarine, crème brûlée, toffee apple, honeycomb |
| Bottle Size | 700ml |
Enjoy neat, with a few drops of water to open the floral and fruit notes.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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