Midleton Very Rare
Encyclopedia
Midleton Very Rare is a premium blended Irish whiskey
, produced by Irish Distillers
at their distillery
, in the East Cork town of Midleton
, from which it gets its name. Midleton Very Rare is considered by many to be the finest of Irish blended whiskey as well as among the finest Irish whiskeys in general.
. A new vintage is released every year. Each bottle is individually numbered and signed by the Master blender
.
, all are triple distilled and have aged between 12 and 25 years in individually selected Bourbon or Sherry casks. As a new vintage is created each year, each differs slightly and has its own character.
Irish whiskey
Irish whiskey is whiskey made in Ireland.Key regulations defining Irish whiskey and its production are established by the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980, and are relatively simple...
, produced by Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers is a subsidiary of the French drinks conglomerate Pernod-Ricard S.A.. It was acquired in 1988 in a friendly takeover.-History:...
at their distillery
New Midleton Distillery
The Midleton distilleries complex is situated outside Midleton, Co. Cork, Ireland. It is owned by Pernod-Ricard. Located alongside is the Old Midleton Distillery which was established in the early 17th century.-History:...
, in the East Cork town of Midleton
Midleton
Midleton, historically Middleton , is a town in south-eastern County Cork, Ireland. It lies some 22 km east of Cork City on the Owenacurra River and the N25 road, which connects Cork to the port of Rosslare...
, from which it gets its name. Midleton Very Rare is considered by many to be the finest of Irish blended whiskey as well as among the finest Irish whiskeys in general.
History
It was launched in 1984 to celebrate the whiskeys produced in MidletonMidleton
Midleton, historically Middleton , is a town in south-eastern County Cork, Ireland. It lies some 22 km east of Cork City on the Owenacurra River and the N25 road, which connects Cork to the port of Rosslare...
. A new vintage is released every year. Each bottle is individually numbered and signed by the Master blender
Master blender
A master blender is an individual who decides on the composition of blended spirits. For example, in the Scotch whisky industry, master blenders choose which single malts and grain whiskies are combined to make particular blended whisky. An important objective is often to maintain consistency over...
.
Blend
As the name suggests, the whiskey is produced in limited quantities. Only 50 casks are released each year, it is therefore both expensive and collectible. The whiskeys used in the blend are handpicked by the Master blenderMaster blender
A master blender is an individual who decides on the composition of blended spirits. For example, in the Scotch whisky industry, master blenders choose which single malts and grain whiskies are combined to make particular blended whisky. An important objective is often to maintain consistency over...
, all are triple distilled and have aged between 12 and 25 years in individually selected Bourbon or Sherry casks. As a new vintage is created each year, each differs slightly and has its own character.
Reviews
Midleton Very Rare has received strong reviews from a number of sources. It was awarded a Double Gold rating (meaning unanimous gold medal from all judges) at the 2007 San Francisco World Spirits Competition after having won only Gold in 2005. It was a finalist in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011, where it earned a rating of 'Extraordinary - Ultimate Recommendation'. The prior year, the 2008 vintage was awarded the Chairman's Trophy (top prize for its class) in this same contest. It was also a finalist in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2011. It currently holds a rating of 93 on 'For Peat' Sake'.See also
- Irish whiskeyIrish whiskeyIrish whiskey is whiskey made in Ireland.Key regulations defining Irish whiskey and its production are established by the Irish Whiskey Act of 1980, and are relatively simple...
- Irish whiskey brands