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.
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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.
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English sparkling wine has come of age. Popping corks to celebrate two decades of production, Gusbourne recently held a unique tasting of 13 vintages from the last 20 years, including an extremely rare sampling of its 2006 bottling. The idea behind the retrospective was to examine the evolution of its sparkling wines, vineyards, and winemaking…
Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut 2026 adds oyster mushroom to gin recipe for savoury umami twist
Monkey 47 has revealed oyster mushroom as the unusual 48th botanical in its latest limited-release Distiller’s Cut gin, bringing savoury umami notes to its traditional Black Forest spirit. Now in its 16th year, the annual Distiller’s Cut sees Monkey 47 search for a Species Rara: an exceptional ingredient that adds a new dimension to its…
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The Borders Distillery in Hawick has unveiled its first single malt, marking the return of whisky production to the Scottish Borders for the first time since 1837. Limited to 10,000 bottles, the eight-year-old inaugural release has been matured in first-fill bourbon casks and finished in Malmsey Madeira casks. For managing director Giancarlo Bianchi, this debutant…
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