Midleton Distillery has confirmed the arrival of its Midleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage, the latest edition in an Irish whiskey series now into its 43rd annual incarnation, and the 6th Vintage under the careful watch of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman.
Bottled at 40% ABV, the 2026 expression continues a tradition that sees the distillery’s Master Distiller select and marry small parcels of maturing stock set aside over decades. For fans, the drop is less a product launch than a yearly checkpoint for the state of Irish whiskey at its most polished.
Midleton Distillery, in County Cork, occupies hallowed ground in Irish spirits. Warehouses on site date back to the 19th century, and it’s here that successive Master Distillers have earmarked casks deemed exceptional enough to contribute to a future Very Rare bottling. The concept is simple in outline: once a year, create a vintage blend that reflects the house style at its most refined.
In practice, that simplicity conceals a great deal of patience. Each edition is drawn from a combination of single pot still and single grain whiskeys, some of them matured for extended periods in ex-American bourbon barrels. Over more than four decades, the series has developed a reputation for remarkable consistency and flavour.
Each edition is drawn from a combination of single pot still and single grain whiskeys, some of them matured for extended periods in ex-American bourbon barrels…
Building the 2026 Vintage
For 2026, Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman and his team selected five distillate styles: three single pot still and two single grain. Among them is a select batch grain whiskey made from a barley and malted barley mash bill that also featured in the 2025 release, bringing with it a distinct butterscotch and toffee character.
There has been a subtle increase in the proportion of Midleton’s signature grain whiskey this year. The effect is aromatic rather than structural, we’re told: floral notes of rose petal and geranium, alongside gentle herbal tones. Older grain parcels matured in ex-bourbon barrels contribute layers of crème brûlée and milk chocolate.
Adjustments to the pot still components also introduces lifted citrus notes – lemon zest and orange peel – while the traditional pot still style contributes a rounded sweetness and a rich, mouthfeel.
Middleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage tasting notes
On the nose, the 2026 Vintage opens with that butterscotch sweetness promised by the grain component, followed by soft florals and a suggestion of fresh herbs. With time, citrus oils emerge, alongside hints of vanilla and toasted oak.
The palate is layered. Creamy toffee and crème brûlée sit at the front, joined by milk chocolate and a gentle spice. The citrus returns, keeping the sweetness in check.
The finish tapers into light spice, with a lingering sweetness and final echo of floral grain notes.
Available now, Midleton Very Rare can be found at global travel retail, and through Irish Distillers’ brand homes, priced £220 (€240, $240) with additional European and US markets to follow from April.
Diplomático Rum, the Venezuelan super-premium spirits house, has announced the UK launch of Chancellor. Positioned as a flagship expression for connoisseurs and long-term collectors of rare spirits, fewer than 1,000 individually numbered bottles will be released worldwide. Diplomático Rum, founded in 1959, has built its reputation on blending expertise, heavy pot-still distillates and long-term maturation,…
There’s a new American malt whisky company in town, and it hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Virginia Distillery Company is making its UK debut with the release of eight American single malt whiskies. The family-owned producer is introducing both of its core whisky ranges simultaneously, giving UK drinkers a broad view of its…
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
The Luxe Review 
Midleton Distillery has confirmed the arrival of its Midleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage, the latest edition in an Irish whiskey series now into its 43rd annual incarnation, and the 6th Vintage under the careful watch of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman.
Bottled at 40% ABV, the 2026 expression continues a tradition that sees the distillery’s Master Distiller select and marry small parcels of maturing stock set aside over decades. For fans, the drop is less a product launch than a yearly checkpoint for the state of Irish whiskey at its most polished.
Midleton Distillery, in County Cork, occupies hallowed ground in Irish spirits. Warehouses on site date back to the 19th century, and it’s here that successive Master Distillers have earmarked casks deemed exceptional enough to contribute to a future Very Rare bottling. The concept is simple in outline: once a year, create a vintage blend that reflects the house style at its most refined.
In practice, that simplicity conceals a great deal of patience. Each edition is drawn from a combination of single pot still and single grain whiskeys, some of them matured for extended periods in ex-American bourbon barrels. Over more than four decades, the series has developed a reputation for remarkable consistency and flavour.
Building the 2026 Vintage
For 2026, Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman and his team selected five distillate styles: three single pot still and two single grain. Among them is a select batch grain whiskey made from a barley and malted barley mash bill that also featured in the 2025 release, bringing with it a distinct butterscotch and toffee character.
There has been a subtle increase in the proportion of Midleton’s signature grain whiskey this year. The effect is aromatic rather than structural, we’re told: floral notes of rose petal and geranium, alongside gentle herbal tones. Older grain parcels matured in ex-bourbon barrels contribute layers of crème brûlée and milk chocolate.
Adjustments to the pot still components also introduces lifted citrus notes – lemon zest and orange peel – while the traditional pot still style contributes a rounded sweetness and a rich, mouthfeel.
Middleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage tasting notes
On the nose, the 2026 Vintage opens with that butterscotch sweetness promised by the grain component, followed by soft florals and a suggestion of fresh herbs. With time, citrus oils emerge, alongside hints of vanilla and toasted oak.
The palate is layered. Creamy toffee and crème brûlée sit at the front, joined by milk chocolate and a gentle spice. The citrus returns, keeping the sweetness in check.
The finish tapers into light spice, with a lingering sweetness and final echo of floral grain notes.
Available now, Midleton Very Rare can be found at global travel retail, and through Irish Distillers’ brand homes, priced £220 (€240, $240) with additional European and US markets to follow from April.
Diplomático debuts ultra-rare triple-cask Chancellor rum with just 900 bottles worldwide
Diplomático Rum, the Venezuelan super-premium spirits house, has announced the UK launch of Chancellor. Positioned as a flagship expression for connoisseurs and long-term collectors of rare spirits, fewer than 1,000 individually numbered bottles will be released worldwide. Diplomático Rum, founded in 1959, has built its reputation on blending expertise, heavy pot-still distillates and long-term maturation,…
Virginia Distillery stages UK launch with eight strong American single malt whisky range
There’s a new American malt whisky company in town, and it hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Virginia Distillery Company is making its UK debut with the release of eight American single malt whiskies. The family-owned producer is introducing both of its core whisky ranges simultaneously, giving UK drinkers a broad view of its…
Redbreast Irish Whiskey Moscatel Wine Cask Edition adds Mediterranean influence to Iberian Series
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
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