Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release 2021 Irish Whiskey hit shelves this summer as the latest edition in the collectable range. It’s the 38th bottle in the series but the first created by Irish Distillers’ new Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman.
The Midleton Very Rare legacy began more than four decades ago, when the brand’s master distillers began setting aside small amounts of exceptional whiskey earmarked for a new luxury offering. Midleton keeps that tradition alive today and continues to produce the Very Rare expression with a blend of hand-selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys. The 2021 vintage release includes whiskeys that were aged between 15 and 36 years and matured in lightly charred ex-bourbon barrels.
While the general template stays the same from year to year (American oak barrels, similar maturation time), the flavor profile can change considerably between vintages. For the 2021 release, O’Gorman relied on a greater percentage of grain whiskey than years past to create a delicate dram that leans toward fruity and floral notes, rather than wood-dominated flavors.
Those floral notes kick off the aroma, followed by fudge, toffee and vanilla. Not far behind are fruits like kiwi and ripe banana, plus a hint of nuttiness and leather. The whiskey is creamy and oily on the palate, with flavors of orchard fruits, citrus, kiwi and pear, plus mild pot still spices and soft waves of vanilla. It finishes with baking spices and a touch of dry oak.
The Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release 2021 whiskey is delicate, flavorful and well-balanced. At 40% ABV, it’s an easygoing spirit that requires nothing more than a glass to serve it in, so you can skip the ice.
★★★★
Stats:
— 40% ABV
— $220
