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 familar layers of crème brûlée and milk chocolate.
Adjustments to the pot still components also introduces lifted citrus notes, while the traditional pot still style contributes a rounded sweetness.
Middleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage tasting notes
On the nose, the 2026 Vintage is fresh and fruity, opening with orange peel and lemon zest, but traditional Midelton notes of crème brûlée and toffee are there too, here intertwined with whiskey’s floral influence.
The palate is layered and complex, with subtle spice, the fruit notes accentuated by generous servings of vanilla and cinnamon. Notes of peeled ginger and lemon zest complement warm toffee and butterscotch tones.
The finish tapers into light spice, the mouthfeel rewardingly lush.
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.
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit…
Islay distillery Ardbeg is marking this year’s Ardbeg Day with a limited-edition whisky that draws an intriguing line between the rugged coast of Islay and the sunlit sweetness of Sicily. The new Ardbeg Dolce arrives as the distillery’s 2026 festival bottling, combining spirit matured in Marsala dolce casks with classic bourbon cask Ardbeg to create…
If you’ve been following the fast-evolving world whisky scene, you’ll likely be aware of Indri. In only a few years, the Himalayan foothills distillery has gone from ambitious newcomer to awards favourite, with its core range led by the triple-cask Indri Trini. Launched in 2022, the brand now claims to be India’s most-awarded single malt,…
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 familar layers of crème brûlée and milk chocolate.
Adjustments to the pot still components also introduces lifted citrus notes, while the traditional pot still style contributes a rounded sweetness.
Middleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage tasting notes
On the nose, the 2026 Vintage is fresh and fruity, opening with orange peel and lemon zest, but traditional Midelton notes of crème brûlée and toffee are there too, here intertwined with whiskey’s floral influence.
The palate is layered and complex, with subtle spice, the fruit notes accentuated by generous servings of vanilla and cinnamon. Notes of peeled ginger and lemon zest complement warm toffee and butterscotch tones.
The finish tapers into light spice, the mouthfeel rewardingly lush.
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.
Loch Lomond Whiskies marks The 154th Open with Tawny Port and Malbec-finished single malts
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled two limited-edition single malts to mark the 154th staging of The Open at Royal Birkdale. The bottlings continue the distillery’s long-running partnership with the championship, now in its ninth year, and promise another intriguing study in cask finishing, with Tawny Port and Argentinian Malbec both bringing distinct layers of fruit…
Limited edition Ardbeg Dolce whisky brings Marsala sweetness to Islay peat for Ardbeg Day 2026
Islay distillery Ardbeg is marking this year’s Ardbeg Day with a limited-edition whisky that draws an intriguing line between the rugged coast of Islay and the sunlit sweetness of Sicily. The new Ardbeg Dolce arrives as the distillery’s 2026 festival bottling, combining spirit matured in Marsala dolce casks with classic bourbon cask Ardbeg to create…
Sweet and fruity Indri Indian single malt brings Himalayan‑influence to world whisky stage
If you’ve been following the fast-evolving world whisky scene, you’ll likely be aware of Indri. In only a few years, the Himalayan foothills distillery has gone from ambitious newcomer to awards favourite, with its core range led by the triple-cask Indri Trini. Launched in 2022, the brand now claims to be India’s most-awarded single malt,…
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