Product description
Midleton Very Rare, a brainchild of master distiller Barry Crockett, is super premium Irish blended whiskey released annually in limited quantities.
It was introduced in 1984 in Duty Free, and the early bottlings featured whiskeys distilled in the original Old Midleton Distillery, which ceased operations in 1975 (the New Midleton Distillery was commissioned in 1974). The whiskey doesn’t carry age statement however, the rule is that no component younger than 12 years is being used in the blend. While the early releases were vattings of less than 40 casks over time the number increased to about 100. Middleton Very Rare 1985 edition is a single pot still heavy blend with very little grain content, aged predominantly in fresh ex-bourbon casks with a little addition of sherry casks. Each bottle is individually numbered and carries the signature of Barry Crockett.
Nose: rich, toasted grains, honey, vanilla, caramel, cantaloupe, kumquats, papaya, roasted nuts, allspice, hints of moist soil and beeswax and oak.
Palate: breakfast cereals, roasted nuts and almonds, vanilla cream, crème brûlée, honey, apricots, oranges, figs, cinnamon, hints of clove and toasted oak.
Finish: medium long with notes of toasted grains, sweet dried fruit, mixed nuts, licorice, cinnamon and oak tannins.