Irish

Whiskey Review: Midleton Very Rare 2020

We review Midleton Very Rare 2020, the last vintage of this popular Irish whiskey that was put together by Brian Nation, former master distiller of the brand.

OVERALL RATING

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Midleton Very Rare 2020

Tasting Notes

About:

Made of whiskies aged 13-35 in lightly charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels. 80 proof. $199.
Appearance:
Yellow gold. Very impressive and unique bottle.
Nose:
The nose is very pleasant and not strong or overpowering. It’s sweet, crisp, and summery. I found notes of vanilla, hay, fresh green apple, and strawberries.
Palate:
I was a little disappointed that the nose was different than the palate. The taste is not as sweet as the smell. I would say it’s a little bit tangy and grain forward rather than sweet. It’s light and thin on mouthfeel. I found it grassy and spicy with a sticky sweet aftertaste. My mouth and throat tasted like spicy charred oak and orange peel with pepper and nutmeg.
Finish:
Comments:
Midleton Very Rare was thin on mouthfeel and mellow on flavor. It’s overall pleasant and smooth which I find very typical of an Irish whiskey. I wanted there to be a bit of a boost on the flavors to make it a little more memorable but it was still delicious served neat. The flavors change in your mouth from fruity to tangy to spicy. There’s a long finish with citrus and spices.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Melissa Jones

Melissa D. Jones is a traveler, blogger, photographer, storyteller, foodie, whiskey enthusiast, and creative entrepreneur. Her thirst for adventure and new experiences has led her to photograph all 50 states and 47 countries, a journey she chronicled in her travel book. When she's not exploring the globe, Melissa resides in Portland, Oregon, where she enjoys attending events, savoring whiskey, and hiking. She has sampled over 100 different whiskies, both locally and internationally.

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