Irish Distillers recently announced the release of its Midleton Very Rare 2023.
A statement from the distiller notes that this is the third vintage crafted by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, and the 40th edition in the series.
Midleton Very Rare 2023 is a blend of aged single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys.
The story of Midleton Very Rare began more than 40 years ago when the master distillers of that time began setting aside small amounts of top-shelf whiskeys to allow future masters to create expressions for years to come.
Midleton Very Rare 2023 honors the traditions of the past while also paying homage to the future as the brand prioritizes sustainability and a commitment to the land from which it is created.
Officials with Midleton noted that for the first time, the new vintage will be presented in luxury recyclable secondary packaging, replacing the wooden cabinet used since 1990.
For the 2023 expression, O’Gorman and his team took their search for just the right components to Midleton’s famed ‘Warehouse A2,’ a traditional stone warehouse dating back to the 1860s.
Midleton Very Rare 2023 includes pot still whiskeys made at Midleton ranging from a lighter, delicate style to the more robust flavors of the traditional heavier style.
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O’Gorman said he increased the traditional pot still inclusion, elevating the spiciness and ripe fruit notes, while also increasing the lighter style to reveal more citrus and cereal tones.
He explained the fresh floral notes from the grain whiskey element, while significant, are more subtle in the 2023 expression compared with previous vintages, with additional hints of vanilla, toffee, honeycomb and milk chocolate also shining through from the grain whiskeys.
While the use of refill casks can play a vital role in the creation of all Midleton Very Rare vintages, they vary in each expression, and played a more prominent role in the 2023 vintage, the master distiller explained.
This peeling back of the wood contribution, complimented by a small reduction in grain whiskey, results in a balance between distillate character and wood contribution in this expression.
“Each year, it is a privilege and an honor to pour through the samples of exceptional liquids stored in the Midleton warehouses to create the next pinnacle of luxury Irish whiskey, and the 2023 vintage is no different,” O’Gorman said.
“The tradition and history of Midleton Distillery means I am lucky enough to sample some of the finest Irish whiskeys in existence. Finding the perfect blend of single pot still and single grain whiskeys for this year is a testament to those who have gone before me, while the presentation of the liquid in recyclable packaging is a step towards the future for this historic brand.”
Midleton Very Rare 2023 was bottled in January and clocks in at 40% ABV. It’s available in the U.S., Canada, Global Travel Retail, Europe, Australia, and Asia for a suggested retail price of €210, £200, $250.
For more information, check out www.midletonveryrare.com.
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