Irish whisky is something often thought of as commanding high prices in the retail sector, particularly when you look at amounts in the thousands of dollars. There are a few rare bottlings out there though which are seen as being possibilities in a zone normally haunted by exclusive Scotch, such as this new limited edition release from the Midleton Distillery that costs nearly $7,500.
The Midleton Very Rare Pearl Edition is so named because it celebrates the “30th anniversary of the expression heralded by many whisk(e)y experts as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey,” according to those who created it. It is a collaboration between Midleton’s master distiller, Brian Nation, and Barry Crockett, master distiller emeritus. Nation and Crockett personally selected a 1984 Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey and a 1981 grain whiskey respectively to blend. Both whiskies were matured in American oak barrels for at least 30 years.
As with any bottling costing as much as this one does, the Pearl Edition doesn’t skimp when it comes to the packaging. It is said that for each of the 117 bottles of this release
each presentation pack is bespoke; the Leadbetter family of glassblowers from Jerpoint Glass Studio, Co. Kilkenny, has shaped each bottle individually, which sits in a grand box fashioned from the mightiest Irish oak by some of Ireland’s most-skilled, wood craftspeople from Co. Wexford. The case houses a limited edition, celebratory booklet and a hand-blown miniature of Midleton Very Rare Pearl Edition to allow whiskey lovers to taste and share the whiskey without opening the full bottle.
Should you find yourself wanting a bottle of this it will be available in Ireland, UK, France, Germany and China starting this month.
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