Midleton Very Rare has unveiled its Forêt de Tronçais Edition 2 whiskey, a new collaboration with the Taransaud cooperage, renowned for its French oak casks.
Crafted by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, this premium release follows in the footsteps of its Edition 1 predecessor, combining meticulously aged Irish whiskey with barrels crafted from prestigious Forêt de Tronçais oak.
Bottled at 48% ABV, the expression is a hand-selected blend of grain and single pot still whiskey distilled between the 1980s and early 2000s.
Edition 2 has been meticulously aged, combining decades-old Irish whiskey with barrels crafted from prestigious Forêt de Tronçais oak…
Initially matured in American bourbon barrels, the whiskey was then transferred to casks made of five-year air-dried Tronçais oak (known as T5 casks) for an additional four years. This extra ageing adds additional complexity to an already celebrated spirit.
Kevin O’Gorman, explains: “For the second edition, we have increased the proportion of pot still whiskey and added more refill-cask elements. This change allows the pot still distillate to shine, imparting extra layers of stone fruitiness, creaminess, and soft clove spice.”
As befits the luxury of the Midleton Very Rare series, the Edition 2 is presented in a hand-formed glass bottle, in signature duck egg blue. The bottle is housed in a handcrafted wooden cabinet made from the same rare oak used for the casks, designed by Manufacture Jacquemin, a family-owned woodcraft business in France.
The cabinet’s laser-cut detailing pays homage to the history of the Forêt de Tronçais, with a design that carefully mirrors the intricate wood grain of the oak.
Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais Edition 2 tasting notes
According to official tasting notes, Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais Edition 2 offers an aromatic bouquet of vanilla and sugar cane on the nose, lifted by orange and sweet pear. The influence of French oak brings an array of spices, notably cinnamon and nutmeg, with hints of candied ginger, heather honey, and white chocolate.
On the palate, expect stone fruits and vanilla cream, accompanied by delicate herbal and floral hints. Subtle tannins from the oak elevate the flavour, adding clove spice and cinnamon.
The finish is described as satisfyingly long, with pot still spices giving way to lingering oak and fruit flavours.
Available in limited quantities, Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais Edition 2 is being released in the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Czech Republic, Benelux, Germany, Singapore, and through Global Travel Retail. Also available online, priced at £4,388 (€5,000).
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The Luxe Review 
Midleton Very Rare has unveiled its Forêt de Tronçais Edition 2 whiskey, a new collaboration with the Taransaud cooperage, renowned for its French oak casks.
Crafted by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, this premium release follows in the footsteps of its Edition 1 predecessor, combining meticulously aged Irish whiskey with barrels crafted from prestigious Forêt de Tronçais oak.
Bottled at 48% ABV, the expression is a hand-selected blend of grain and single pot still whiskey distilled between the 1980s and early 2000s.
Initially matured in American bourbon barrels, the whiskey was then transferred to casks made of five-year air-dried Tronçais oak (known as T5 casks) for an additional four years. This extra ageing adds additional complexity to an already celebrated spirit.
Kevin O’Gorman, explains: “For the second edition, we have increased the proportion of pot still whiskey and added more refill-cask elements. This change allows the pot still distillate to shine, imparting extra layers of stone fruitiness, creaminess, and soft clove spice.”
As befits the luxury of the Midleton Very Rare series, the Edition 2 is presented in a hand-formed glass bottle, in signature duck egg blue. The bottle is housed in a handcrafted wooden cabinet made from the same rare oak used for the casks, designed by Manufacture Jacquemin, a family-owned woodcraft business in France.
The cabinet’s laser-cut detailing pays homage to the history of the Forêt de Tronçais, with a design that carefully mirrors the intricate wood grain of the oak.
Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais Edition 2 tasting notes
According to official tasting notes, Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais Edition 2 offers an aromatic bouquet of vanilla and sugar cane on the nose, lifted by orange and sweet pear. The influence of French oak brings an array of spices, notably cinnamon and nutmeg, with hints of candied ginger, heather honey, and white chocolate.
On the palate, expect stone fruits and vanilla cream, accompanied by delicate herbal and floral hints. Subtle tannins from the oak elevate the flavour, adding clove spice and cinnamon.
The finish is described as satisfyingly long, with pot still spices giving way to lingering oak and fruit flavours.
Available in limited quantities, Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais Edition 2 is being released in the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Czech Republic, Benelux, Germany, Singapore, and through Global Travel Retail. Also available online, priced at £4,388 (€5,000).
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The evocatively titled Pineapple Bananza is the latest addition to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s experimental Heresy range; it’s a small-batch Irish single malt whiskey created in collaboration with Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. Batch 38: Pineapple Bananza stands out for both its origin and production style. Irish whiskey is an infrequent guest in the Society’s portfolio,…
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A 56 Year Old single malt whisky from The Glendronach has been unveiled as the distillery’s most mature expression to date, with just 200 bottles created to mark its 200th anniversary. Founded in 1826 in Scotland’s Highlands, The Glendronach has long built its reputation on sherry cask maturation, pairing a weighty spirit style with the…
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