Midleton Very Rare has released its 2026 Vintage in the United States, a blend of single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys crafted at Midleton Distillery. The annual release marks the sixth Vintage overseen by master distiller Kevin O’Gorman and carries a suggested retail price of $240 (£180).
“Each year, we hope to create a Midleton Very Rare Vintage that heroes the years of craftsmanship gone before while developing something rare, new and enticing for people to discover,” said O’Gorman.
The blend combines five distinct whiskey styles: three single pot still and two single grain.
What Will Whisky Look Like in 2027? Voices from Whisky Live Paris
READ THE STORYAmong them is a batch of grain whiskey made from a mash bill of barley and malted barley, a style also used in the 2025 Vintage. The brand says its inclusion adds depth to the aroma, with notes of butterscotch and toffee.
This year’s blend features a subtle increase in Midleton’s signature grain whiskey, bringing floral notes of rose petal and geranium. Older grain whiskeys matured in ex-Bourbon barrels contribute notes of crème brûlée and milk chocolate. O’Gorman also adjusted the three single pot still components, increasing the proportion of lighter pot still whiskeys to highlight citrus notes of lemon zest and orange peel.
O’Gorman added: “As the sixth Vintage Release under my guardianship, I wanted to explore the bounds of what is possible from our array of exceptional liquids, while remaining true to the unique style for which Midleton Very Rare has become known.”
Trending Content
According to the official notes from the brand, the nose offers citrus aromas of orange peel and lemon zest, with soft apricot and orchard fruits. The palate delivers luscious fruit notes accentuated by soft tannins, vanilla and cinnamon. The finish sees the pot still spices fade first, leaving fruit and oak to linger.
Bottled at 40% ABV, the 2026 Vintage is presented in a box with foil detailing and a new friction-closure design.
The whiskeys were matured in historic warehouses at Midleton, some dating back to the 1860s.
The 2024 and 2025 Vintages remain available nationwide, though availability may vary by market and retailer.
Midleton Very Rare debuted in 1984 and is produced by Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of French drinks group Pernod Ricard. The Midleton Distillery in County Cork is also home to Jameson, the world’s best-selling Irish whiskey.
