Irish Distillers have just released this year's edition of Midleton Very Rare. It's the 30th anniversary of Midleton Very Rare but it's also significant because this is the first to bear the signature of Master Distiller Brian Nation. He succeeded to that role when Barry Crockett retired in 2013.
Master Distiller Brian Nation. Photo courtesy of Irish Distillers.
Midleton is a blend of pot still and grain whiskeys, matured in lightly-charred ex-bourbon American oak casks for between 15 and 22 years. I expect it will retail for about €150 in Ireland.
Rich, with vanilla sweetness on a layer of oak char from the influence of American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels. A soft floral note introduces the sweet spice of cinnamon, green pepper, and garden mint. Beautifully rounded with hints of green apple and banana.
Full, with the sweet spice of vanilla, cinnamon, and liquorice and the flinty note of barley grains. Ripe fruit combines with the charred oak, adding to the complexity.
Sweet spicy flavours that linger, fading slowly to leave the last word with the barley.