Wednesday, February 28, 2024

MIDLETON CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH COMMEMORATIVE LIMITED EDITION

Irish Distillers, has announced the launch of a special limited-edition release, to mark the 40th anniversary of its Midleton Very Rare brand.

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition (53.1% ABV) is a blended Irish whiskey, comprised of single pot still and single grain whiskeys - spanning four decades in age, which was finished in a Ruby Port cask.

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition

This latest release was created to combine liquids originally laid down by each of the revered Midleton Master Distillers, Barry Crockett, Brian Nation and Kevin O’Gorman.

In 1984, Barry Crockett set out to craft the most outstanding Irish whiskey ever made with a passion fuelled by the rich distilling history of Midleton. Blending together the finest raw ingredients, the most advanced techniques and a dedicated team of craftspeople, he unveiled the very first Midleton Very Rare release.

Forty years on, to mark this historic occasion, a selection of three exceptional casks from each of the Master Distillers covering the era of Midleton Very Rare were chosen to create the Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition.

Each of casks, individually filled by each Master Distiller in their respective eras, contained a unique blend of the finest pot still and grain distillates dating back to the early 1980s. Bringing each unique liquid together to create an extraordinary blend, O’Gorman gave the whiskey its final and defining touch by finishing the blend in a Ruby Port cask for nine months.

Commenting on the launch, Kevin O’Gorman, Master Distiller, said: “As we celebrate four decades since the inaugural launch of Midleton Very Rare, we are excited to create yet another milestone in Midleton Distillery’s extraordinary history with the launch of Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition. This exquisite release brings influence from all three Master Distillers and not only helps us to preserve the knowledge of Midleton Distillery’s past Masters but builds on it by evolving the art of distillation and maturation with the addition of the ruby port cask. It has been a privilege to play a part in the creation of this pinnacle of Irish Whiskey and I look forward to continuing to evolve the Midleton Very Rare brand.”

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition, is now available from select specialist retailers and global travel retail outlets for a RRP of €20,000.

Irish Distillers, has also announced the launch of its latest Midleton Very Rare Vintage bottling. The  2024 release (40% ABV) is a blended Irish whiskey, comprised of single pot still and single grain whiskeys, matured in first fill ex-American oak barrels and a small number of refill ex-American oak barrels. RRP: €240.


Posted by Steve Rush