Midleton Very Rare 2023
Midleton · Midleton Distillery
The 2023 vintage continues the Midleton Very Rare tradition of showcasing the distillery's remarkable range of pot still and grain whiskeys. Master Blender Kevin O'Gorman's selection emphasizes restraint over intensity, creating a whiskey where every element has space to breathe. It rewards those who approach it slowly.
Kit Aromas
Nose
Delicate honeyed cereals open with fresh peach and vanilla. A subtle green cut grass note adds brightness, while floral rosewater lingers just beneath the surface. Time in the glass reveals gentle almond and a wisp of oak.
Palate
Silky and refined, with buttery grain character meeting stone fruit and a suggestion of cocoa. The mid-palate broadens into caramel and woody spice, balanced by a gentle ethereal quality that keeps the whiskey light on its feet.
Finish
Measured and elegant, trailing off with vanilla, peach, and a last touch of honey.
- Distillation
- Triple distilled in copper pot stills (pot still component); column distilled (grain component)
- Maturation
- Matured in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks
- Single Pot Still
- No
- Chill-Filtered
- Chill filtered
Food Pairing
Seared scallops with brown butter and hazelnuts
Blended each year by Midleton's master blender from a reserved selection of pot still and grain whiskeys drawn from the vast Midleton maturation warehouses in County Cork, the Very Rare series has been an annual expression of Irish whiskey craftsmanship since 1984.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Kilchoman Sanaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Kilchoman
Sanaig is one of Islay's best-kept affordable secrets. The marriage of sherry cask richness with Kilchoman's signature peat creates a whisky that feels more expensive than it is. A textbook example of balance under pressure.
Whitley Neill Quill Gin
Whitley Neill
Whitley Neill's Quill expression strips back the flavored gin trend and returns to fundamentals. Juniper dominates without being monolithic, and the botanical balance feels deliberate and well-calibrated. A London Dry that earns the name.
Clairin Ansyen Le Rocher 24 Mois Sherry Cask
Clairin
This is rum from the edge of convention. Haitian clairin is already one of the spirit world's most distinctive categories, and the sherry cask maturation adds a layer of richness without taming its wild character. It's challenging, rewarding, and utterly unique.
Rare Breed Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Kentucky Peerless
Peerless continues to prove that youth doesn't mean immaturity. This barrel proof expression delivers concentration and complexity that rival bourbons twice its age. A distillery punching well above its stated years.
Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition Irish Whiskey
Jameson
The Caskmates Stout Edition demonstrates how a finishing cask can rewrite a whiskey's personality without erasing its identity. It's approachable and affordable, but the stout barrel influence adds a genuine dimension of roasted complexity that rewards exploration.
Kilbeggan Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Cask Strength
Kilbeggan
Kilbeggan's cask strength pot still release punches with conviction, showcasing the raw power of Ireland's oldest licensed distillery. The high proof amplifies the classic pot still spiciness without overwhelming the fruit. Add water gradually to unlock layers — this one changes shape in the glass.
The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey
The Sexton
An exceptional value sherry-matured single malt — approachable enough for newcomers yet textured enough to reward attention. A genuine milestone in democratizing premium Irish single malt.
Hinch 10 Year Old Sherry Cask Finish Irish Whiskey
Hinch
Hinch proves that Northern Ireland's new wave of distilling can compete on quality, not just novelty. The sherry finish adds genuine dimension to an already well-aged blend, delivering complexity that punches above its price point. A sleeper worth tracking down.