Midleton Very Rare 2026

Legacy isn’t built overnight. It is distilled, matured and composed over decades.

The 2026 vintage of Midleton Very Rare continues one of Ireland’s most revered whiskey traditions. Crafted at the historic Midleton Distillery, this annual release represents a meticulous selection of exceptional single pot still and grain whiskeys, matured in seasoned American oak barrels and brought together in a singular vintage expression.

Each release is both a continuation and a refinement — a snapshot of the distillery’s character in that moment in time.

Tasting Notes

Nose
Vibrant citrus aromatics lead the way — orange peel and lemon zest — followed by soft apricot and ripe orchard fruits. Sweet notes of crème brûlée and toffee add warmth and depth, while the influence of American oak provides elegant structure. Pot still spices intertwine seamlessly with the grain whiskey’s floral lift, offering delicate hints of geranium and fresh herbal nuance.

Taste
An immediate richness of luscious fruit is balanced by gentle oak tannins, vanilla and cinnamon. Bright accents of peeled ginger and lemon zest bring freshness and lift, complementing indulgent butterscotch and toffee tones. The signature mouth-coating texture of pot still whiskey remains beautifully present throughout.

Finish
The pot still spices slowly fade, leaving lingering fruits and polished oak to carry the experience to a long and harmonious conclusion. A poised and intricate marriage of pot still and grain whiskeys, matured to showcase the very best of Midleton.

The Vintage Tradition

Midleton Very Rare is released once each year in strictly limited quantities. Each bottle is individually numbered and presented in its signature case, making it a highly collectible addition to any serious Irish whiskey collection.

The 2026 edition continues a lineage of excellence without equal — a modern classic that honours heritage while celebrating craftsmanship at its finest.

With a distilling history dating back to the 19th century, Midleton’s renowned bounty has been said to have drawn whiskey into being.

From its beginnings on the banks of the crystalline Dungourney River, Midleton Distillery’s links with the land run deep and long.

Of course whiskey is also the lifeblood of a people and their aspirations. And this town has always been a pioneering community, from the moment the Murphy family started to distil here in 1825.