This whiskey is the latest addition to Midleton's annual Very Rare series. The Midleton Very Rare 2021 Edition is the 39th bottling in the legendary series. It is the second to be created by Kevin O'Gorman, who is just the third Master Distiller of the series since it first appeared in 1984. He follows Barry Crockett and Brian Nation. The 2022 Edition is a marriage of old and rare single grain and single pot still whiskeys aged between 12 and 33 years old. All the whiskeys used have been matured in lightly charred American oak ex-bourbon casks - this is in keeping with previous editions of the Very Rare series.
Midleton is produced in Co. Cork in southern Ireland at the Midleton distillery. This is owned by Irish Distillers, the Irish whiskey wing of Pernod Ricard, and produces a staggering 19 million litres of whiskey a year in the numerous styles needed for the Irish Distillers portfolio - this includes brands such as Jameson, Power's and Redbreast. Only a very small percentage of what is produced each year is set aside and eventually used for the Midleton Very Rare releases.
The Midleton Very Rare 2022 Edition is bottled at 40% ABV and will be available in specialist spirits and luxury retailers in selected world markets. This includes Australia, Canada, Europe (including the UK) and the USA. It will also be available in global travel retail. A bottle will cost £165/ €200/ $220 US.
Our tasting notes
The colour is vibrant golden yellow and the nose is expressive and bright. Vanilla and baked apple aromas rise from the glass and are quickly joined by golden syrup, milk chocolate and toasted oak. The brightness is added to by elegant floral aromas of orange blossom. There are also hints of toffee, hazelnut praline and canned peaches.
On the palate this whiskey continues on a similar theme. Deliciously sweet caramelised apple notes mingle with vanilla pod and golden syrup. It is not long before further notes begin to develop. Coconut adds to the creamy texture, as does some milk chocolate and a hint of that hazelnut praline from the nose. Then comes a distinct fruitiness in the form of juicy ripe peach and canned tropical fruit salad. These are lifted further by pinches of baking spice, cocoa powder and white pepper. Later hints of dried orange peel and bittersweet cereals add structure and extra depth.
The finish is long and warming. There is again plenty of vanilla and apple notes, but these slowly fade to reveal more of the bittersweet cereals and woody spices. Imagine malty biscuits mixed with praline and freshly sawn oak. Late orange oils and a pinch of coconut round things off nicely.
What's the verdict?
This is another fine bottling from Irish Distillers. To be honest, all of the Midleton Very Rare editions that we have sampled have been very good. As if to reiterate this, our press pack came with a sample from a bottling from each of the previous four decades. Sampled side by side, it is tricky to determine a winner. This 2022 Edition holds its own well and is packed with flavour, offers wonderful depth and complexity, and has a creamy and luxurious texture. An all-round winner.
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