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).
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
House of Hazelwood has unveiled the latest chapter in its accumulating archive of premium Scotch, releasing four new expressions under the Charles Gordon Collection. The Speyside-based custodian of the Gordon family’s extensive cask inventory, has built a reputation for premium curated bottlings, and these new offerings draw on nearly half a century of patient maturation.…
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).
Kingsbarns Distillery launches limited edition single malt inspired by St Andrews 19th hole
A long-standing St Andrews golfing ritual has found a new expression, as Kingsbarns Distillery launches a limited-edition single cask whisky inspired by the famed ‘19th hole’. Developed by Wemyss Family Spirits, the family-owned business behind the distillery, The Dunvegan forms the second instalment in a golf-inspired series, and follows last year’s Caddies’ Dream release. Limited…
Hackstons acquires rare collection of Unicorn whiskies from Van Winkle, Weller and Buffalo Trace
Drinks retailer Hackstons has acquired a collection of exceptionally rare American whiskies, bringing together some of the most elusive bourbons and rye whiskeys currently circulating within the global secondary spirits market. The Knightsbridge-based specialist described the acquisition as a “once in a lifetime” grouping of so-called unicorn bottles, with the line-up featuring highly allocated expressions…
Ultra-rare 1970s whiskies lead House of Hazelwood 2026 Charles Gordon Collection release
House of Hazelwood has unveiled the latest chapter in its accumulating archive of premium Scotch, releasing four new expressions under the Charles Gordon Collection. The Speyside-based custodian of the Gordon family’s extensive cask inventory, has built a reputation for premium curated bottlings, and these new offerings draw on nearly half a century of patient maturation.…
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