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.
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.…
Willem Dafoe has stepped up his involvement with iconic Islay distillery Laphroaig, unveiling a limited-edition single malt, Willem by Willem, crafted in collaboration with Sarah Dowling, Laphroaig’s Senior Whisky Maker. Dafoe became a “Friend of Laphroaig” in 2025, a relationship which has since bloomed into a full blown creative collaboration. Working alongside Sarah Dowling, the…
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.
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.…
First pour: Laphroaig and Willem Dafoe deliver a bright, delicious take on Islay whisky
Willem Dafoe has stepped up his involvement with iconic Islay distillery Laphroaig, unveiling a limited-edition single malt, Willem by Willem, crafted in collaboration with Sarah Dowling, Laphroaig’s Senior Whisky Maker. Dafoe became a “Friend of Laphroaig” in 2025, a relationship which has since bloomed into a full blown creative collaboration. Working alongside Sarah Dowling, the…
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