Midleton Very Rare 2020 (40%, OB, 2020)

• ABV: 40%
• Age: NAS
• Bottling: OB
• Category: Blended Irish Whiskey
• Cost: €180
• Origin: Midleton distillery
• Vintage: undeclared

What they say

See MIDLETON VERY RARE releases exceptional 2020 vintage press release

Official tasting notes:

Aroma
Initial top notes of cane sugar and vanilla intertwined with pepper and nutmeg spices, complimented by sweet orchard fruits and white chocolate fudge all layered over polished antique wood notes, showcasing an intriguing balance between spirit and wood thanks to the complex interaction from the many years spent in the finest oak casks.

Taste
Initial burst of tangy fruit sweetness of orange peel and sweet pear creating a succulent texture while the pot still spices build overtime adding a mild prickle of chilli oil. The presence of the charred oak remains constant in the background adding balance to the fruits and spices.

Finish
Satisfyingly long finish with the fruits slowly fading, allowing the oak and spices to linger until the very end.

What I say

Launched via online presentation and tasting event on 14th October 2020 by newly appointed Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman and Blender Dave McCabe live from Midleton Distillery. This final expression from Brian Nation contains a range of whiskies from 13 to 35 years old and like some of the earliest in this range focusses heavily on distillate-led flavours and aromas.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: Sercial Madeira (9/20), large tears and thick, oily legs.
• Nose: Sweet, polished wood, floral, citrus, vanilla, muscovado sugar, ripe banana, estery, butterscotch, fresh American white oak wood, touch of linseed oil/putty.
• Taste: Fruity, vanilla ice cream, lemon sorbet, grapefruit, toffee, caramel, fudge, dairy ice cream, mixed red berries, touch of sharp spices from unmalted barley, hint of copper metallic and pineapple.
• Finish: medium-long, spiced and drying, quite floral and vanillic.

Overall

My first introduction to Midleton Very Rare and very enjoyable it is. Combining elements of grain whiskey and pot still from Midleton distillery. The result is light and refreshing, fruity ditillate-led expression.

Score 87/100

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