Midleton Very Rare 2021 Edition Irish Whiskey, 70cl, 40% ABV

The 2021 release of Midleton Very Rare.

Taking its name from the new distillery, this famous blend of whiskies was initially produced by Jameson's Master Distiller, Barry Crockett, and has been released in very limited quantities on an annual basis since 1984.

The whiskey is aged somewhere between 12 and 20 years and matured solely in Bourbon casks. Each bottle is individually numbered and carries the signature of the Master Distiller.

The formation of the Irish Distillers group in 1966, an amalgamation of Jameson, Powers and Cork Distillers, was the beginning of a sea change in the landscape of Irish whiskey. Necessitated primarily by a need to capitalise on a much-expanded export market, the move also saw a change in the whiskey behind the brand names, favouring blended Irish whiskies over the traditional single pot still style. Irish Distillers pushed Jameson as the face of the company, but its historic Bow Street home had no column still to produce grain, meaning this component had to be produced at Power's John's Lane distillery. In order to steamline its operations, the company shut both of these distilleries down, building a bespoke new facility next-door to its Old Midleton distillery in Cork, which was closed down as well. Midleton opened in 1975 and was the only distillery in Ireland until Cooley was built in 1987.