One of the more coveted whiskeys to come out of Ireland each year has to be the annual Midleton Very Rare release. This whiskey, now in its 36th edition, is said to bring together into each bottling “only hand-selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys of exceptional quality and rarity within the Midleton inventory.” For the 2019 release the whiskeys in the mix were matured exclusively in lightly-charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels for between 13 and 34 years, marking it as the oldest collection of casks ever used to create this expression.
- Nose: Ripe fruit notes of sweet pear and apple that develop over time, adding a delicate touch of mango. Complimented by the charred American Oak, these flavours are further accentuated with additional sweet layers of brown sugar and vanilla, with a light dusting of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove spice.
- Taste: Luscious and silky texture with the orchard fruits and pot still spices coming to the fore while the grain’s soft floral notes gently linger in the background, allowing the oak to add dimensions of mild tannins and wood spice.
- Finish: The fruits and gentle spice slowly fade, giving way to the oak foundation that leaves a mild roasted coffee and nutty character to linger until the very end.