Irish Distillers, has announced the launch of a new “first-of-its-kind”
limited-edition Midleton Very Rare expression, which is said to showcase the
harmonious fusion of Irish and French luxury and craftsmanship.
Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais (48% ABV) is a blended Irish
whiskey, comprised of single grain and single pot still whiskeys that were laid
down to mature in American Bourbon barrels, between the 1980s and 2000s. The
whiskey was finished for three years in French Tronçais oak casks.
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| Midelton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais |
Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais, is the result of a collaboration that began in 2017. In search of the perfect cask to enhance and complement Midleton’s portfolio of exceptional whiskeys, Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman and his team from Midleton Distillery embarked on a cask procurement trip to France. Exploring the Tronçais forest, they discovered the rare and sought-after T5 oak cask, renowned for its fine grain and delicate flavours, which O’Gorman was convinced would add a new dimension to the subtle aromatics in the renowned Midleton Very Rare Irish whiskey family.
The Forêt de Tronçais forest, established in the 1600s to
sustainably supply oak for shipbuilding, holds historical significance and
continues to be managed with utmost care and respect, following a regular
forestry cycle that allows for natural regeneration and preservation of its
ecosystem.
This first expression from what will be an annual release, is
said to deliver notes of oak, pears, caramelised apples, orange zest, honeycomb,
toasted hazelnut, freshly roasted coffee beans and woodland spices on the nose.
Followed by notes of fresh peppermint, sage, orchard fruits, zesty orange, chocolate-dipped
honeycomb, sweet vanilla and wood spices on the palate.
Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais, comes presented in a
cabinet created by Manufacture Jacquemin, a third-generation traditional
woodcrafts business based in the Jura Mountains in Eastern France, is made from
fine oak from the Tronçais forest.
Commenting on the launch, Kevin O'Gorman, Master Distiller
at Midleton Distillery, said: "We may have created 'the Pinnacle of
Irish Whiskey' with Midleton Very Rare, but we are constantly driven by the
desire to push boundaries and create something new. Midleton Very Rare Forêt de
Tronçais represents our relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation while
staying true to the unmistakable Midleton character and DNA, as we introduce
some of the world’s finest oak to produce an outstanding and elegant Midleton
expression."
Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais, will be available
later this month from select specialist retailers, for a RRP of £4,400.
Posted by Steve Rush