Midleton Very Rare Blended Irish Whiskey 700ML is a prestigious annual-release Irish blend of single pot still and single grain whiskeys, bottled at 40% ABV. Awarded a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and a score of 96–100 points from Wine Enthusiast, this expression stands among the most decorated Irish whiskeys in production. Each year's bottling is drawn from fewer than 100 individually selected casks, making every vintage a singular creation from one of Ireland's most storied distilleries.Quick Facts: ABV: 40% | Origin: Midleton, East Cork, Ireland | Non-Age Statement (12–20 year components) | Distillery: New Midleton Distillery (Irish Distillers / Pernod Ricard)Production & HeritageMidleton Very Rare is produced at the New Midleton Distillery in the East Cork town of Midleton, operated by Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. The blend marries rare single pot still whiskeys with single grain whiskeys, all triple-distilled in traditional copper pot stills and matured for between twelve and twenty years in ex-bourbon American oak barrels. What distinguishes each vintage is the Master Distiller's personal hand: casks are selected one by one from nearly a million maturing at the distillery, and the resulting marriage of fewer than 100 casks is bottled, individually numbered, and signed by the Master Distiller. Each bottle ships in a wooden presentation case, reinforcing the collectible nature of the release.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with subtle honey and dried apricots, followed by layers of sandalwood, dried flowers, and golden syrup. Deeper exploration reveals freshly peeled ginger and hints of roasted coffee beans beneath the fruit-forward top notes.Taste: On entry, rich toffee and creamy vanilla coat the palate, giving way to butterscotch, milk chocolate, and summer fruits—think ripe peaches and strawberries. The mid-palate introduces classic pot still spice: crushed peppercorn, coriander seed, and fennel, all balanced by espresso, burnt sugar, and a distinct creaminess that ties the flavors together.Finish: Long and gently sweet, with lingering cinnamon, burnt orange, and a fading thread of vanilla pod. The pot still spice persists softly, giving the finish impressive structure without bitterness.How to Drink Midleton Very RareGiven the complexity of the blend and the age of its components, Midleton Very Rare is best appreciated neat or with a few drops of water to open the pot still spice and reveal secondary fruit notes. For those who enjoy it in cocktails, three options stand out. An Irish Old Fashioned lets the toffee and spice backbone shine against a touch of Demerara syrup and bitters. A Tipperary Cocktail—equal parts Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, and green Chartreuse—plays beautifully off the herbal and spice layers in the blend. A simple Whiskey Sour with fresh lemon juice highlights the underlying fruit character while preserving the whiskey's creamy texture.Best For Gifting a whiskey collector or enthusiast—the signed, numbered bottle in a wooden case makes a statement Marking a milestone anniversary, retirement, or career achievement Adding a vintage-dated bottle to an Irish whiskey collection After-dinner sipping alongside dessert at a formal gathering Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Midleton Very Rare taste like? Midleton Very Rare delivers rich toffee, creamy vanilla, and butterscotch up front, supported by pot still spice—peppercorn, ginger, and coriander—with a long, gently sweet finish accented by cinnamon and burnt orange.How does Midleton Very Rare compare to Yellow Spot 12 Year Old? Both are premium Irish pot still whiskeys, but Midleton Very Rare blends pot still with grain components aged up to twenty years, producing a creamier, more layered profile. Yellow Spot uses a combination of bourbon, sherry, and Malaga cask maturation, which gives it a more wine-influenced fruit and spice character at a lower price tier.Is Midleton Very Rare good for sipping neat? Yes—neat is the ideal serve. The triple-distilled pot still and grain whiskeys aged twelve to twenty years yield a level of complexity and smoothness that rewards slow, contemplative sipping.Where is Midleton Very Rare made? Midleton Very Rare is produced at the New Midleton Distillery in the town of Midleton, County Cork, Ireland. The distillery is operated by Irish Distillers, part of the Pernod Ricard group.What foods pair well with Midleton Very Rare? Dark chocolate truffles complement the toffee and espresso notes. Aged cheddar or Comté cheese echoes the butterscotch sweetness. Crème brûlée mirrors the burnt sugar and vanilla character. Smoked salmon with brown bread highlights the whiskey's creamy texture. Pecan pie or walnut tart reinforces the nutty, spice-driven finish.What sizes does Midleton Very Rare come in? The standard release is a 700ml bottle, which is the format most widely available internationally.Is Midleton Very Rare worth the price? Midleton Very Rare positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of Irish whiskey, justified by its limited annual production of fewer than 100 selected casks, individually numbered bottles, and consistent critical acclaim including a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and 96–100 points from Wine Enthusiast.Why Midleton Very Rare?Few Irish whiskeys carry the weight of a Master Distiller's personal signature on every bottle. Midleton Very Rare earns that gravity through a production process that is genuinely selective—each vintage pulls from fewer than 100 casks out of nearly a million maturing at the distillery, blending pot still whiskeys aged up to two decades with carefully matched grain components. The result is a whiskey that has earned a Double Gold at the SFWSC and near-perfect marks from Wine Enthusiast, placing it among the most critically acclaimed Irish expressions available. For collectors, each vintage-dated, numbered bottle represents a specific moment in Midleton's ongoing evolution—a bottle that will never be replicated.
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