Midleton has unveiled the 2022 Vintage of its Very Rare Irish whiskey. Created by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, the new expression is a balanced blend of rare and hand-selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys.
A combination of whiskey aged between 12 and 33 years and matured in lightly charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels, the Midleton Very Rare 2022 Vintage Release offers decadent flavors and a tantalizing aroma.
“As with any Midleton Very Rare Vintage, we start the search for our perfect components many months in advance, in a bid to create the luxurious, balanced aroma and taste profile for which this annual release is renowned,” explained O’Gorman. “Drawing predominantly from our historic A2 warehouse, we have selected a blend of whiskeys that work together beautifully – from superb grain whiskeys dating back to 1989 with beautiful floral and rosewater notes, to some truly wonderful pot still whiskeys from 2009 that offer a delightful fruit element with citrus.”
The fruit-led nose opens with fresh citrus notes of mandarin and candied apple, while dustings of white pepper with grated nutmeg deliver subtle levels of spice that complement the rich and velvety tones of hazelnut chocolate and toffee. Carefully balanced, the charred oak works in tandem with the elegant grain character, elevating the delicate and nuanced fresh floral tones with the addition of sweet vanilla and warming toasted wood aromas.
On the palate, caramelized red apples and orange zest combine with luscious, sweet, and decadent waves of crème brûlée that seamlessly intertwine with the pot still spices and cereal undertones, creating an intriguing and wonderful medley of fruits and spices. The finish is rich and lasting. The grain and pot still spices are the first to softly fade allowing the oak, after years of carefully maturing the spirit, to have the final say.
“Our annual Midleton Very Rare vintage is not only a unique opportunity to re-nose some of the very finest whiskeys in our inventory, but also to consider which distillates and casks we should place into warehouse A2 for our forward planning,” explained Blender Deirdre O’Carroll. “This is an extremely enjoyable experience knowing that some of these casks that we’ve put aside may be selected as part of a vintage many years from now.”
Bottled from a single vatting during January 2022 at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2022 will be made available over the coming months in the USA, Canada, Global Travel Retail, Europe, Australia, and Asia for €200.
Kevin O’Gorman became Midleton Very Rare Master Distiller in 2020, releasing his first single cask last November. He lunaching his first Midleton Very Rare vintage release last year.