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).
The Dalmore has returned to its dunnage warehouses for a limited 14 Year Old single malt whisky finished in Semisecco Marsala casks. It’s the latest expression in the Distillery Select Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies drawn from small parcels of stock at the distillery. First launched in 2024, each release in the Series is…
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Bruichladdich has unveiled Greener Still, a 15 year old single malt whisky created to mark 25 years since the Hebridean distillery’s resurrection – but that’s not the whole story. The release also aims to shine a spotlight on environmental and social sustainability in Scotch whisky. The limited-edition bottling completes a series of special releases created…
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).
The Dalmore Distillery Select series returns with a 14 Year Old Marsala-finished single malt whisky
The Dalmore has returned to its dunnage warehouses for a limited 14 Year Old single malt whisky finished in Semisecco Marsala casks. It’s the latest expression in the Distillery Select Series, a collection of limited-edition whiskies drawn from small parcels of stock at the distillery. First launched in 2024, each release in the Series is…
Penelope Bourbon arrives in the UK with three new whiskies and a trio of bold cocktail ideas
Penelope Bourbon has arrived in the UK, with three intriguing expressions and a fresh take on whiskey drinking. Founded in the US in 2018, Penelope has built its reputation around distinctive mash bills, barrel finishes and a growing collection of limited editions. For its UK debut, the blending-focused brand is introducing Four Grain Straight Bourbon,…
Bruichladdich Greener Still 15 Year Old Whisky marks 25 years with three distinct barley styles
Bruichladdich has unveiled Greener Still, a 15 year old single malt whisky created to mark 25 years since the Hebridean distillery’s resurrection – but that’s not the whole story. The release also aims to shine a spotlight on environmental and social sustainability in Scotch whisky. The limited-edition bottling completes a series of special releases created…
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