Since 1984, each Master Distiller of Midleton Very Rare uses their eye for detail, their passion for quality whiskey and their exemplary skill to create the pinnacle of Irish whiskey - Midletons special vintage release. The latest chapter of this renowned collection is adorned with the signature of their Master Distiller, Kevin O’Gorman. After months of exploration, O’Gorman crafted a balanced blend of rare and hand-selected single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys from Midleton’s exclusive inventory to create this truly special release. Matured in lightly charred ex-bourbon American oak barrels, the Midleton Very Rare 2023 Vintage Release delights with decadent flavours and a tantalising aroma. The aroma, taste and finish of this whiskey will enliven the palates of those new to this collection while taking the seasoned whiskey collector on a journey through an exciting exploration of taste. If history has taught us anything, it’s that no idea is new—but this idea, grown from an appreciation of what has come before, is a new take on an old legacy inspired by Midletons commitment for a greener future. The new secondary Midleton pack takes inspiration from the original cardboard box created for their first vintage in 1984. This original box ran from the inaugural year in 1984 until 1990. They were hard cardboard boxes lined with a beautiful golden fabric, while each bottle was 750ml topped by an old-style screw cap. In 1990 the bottle was changed to the new European regulation size of 700ml, while the oak boxes replaced the original cardboard cases. A metallic plate decorating the front of the box replaced the old, printed title on the cardboard boxes from the 1980’s. 2017 saw a new double-doored wooden box introduced, and a new bespoke bottle with the inclusion of the Midleton pen nib. Added to this, a new label adorned the bottle inspired by the original from 1984. 2023 completes the circle with the return of a more sustainable offering. The nose opens with an intricate medley of fruits including nectarines, ripe melon, green apple, and apricot. A solid foundation of pot still spices, showcasing notes of freshly peeled ginger and crushed peppercorns, work in tandem with the aged grain’s perfumed notes of dried flowers and delectable golden syrup. The oak continues to reveal itself, adding notes of vanilla, combined with a honeycomb sweetness and freshly roasted coffee beans. The palate is luscious at first with succulent fruits and a distinctive creaminess along with a herbal quality akin to camomile tea. The pot still spices add depth and intrigue as they weave amongst the floral grain qualities found lingering throughout. The charred oak’s influence continues to build over time creating additional complexity as the wood-derived spices complement the ever-present fruits of candied orange and dried apricot. On the finish the fruits and pot still spices build to a crescendo before giving way, leaving the final say to the oak tannins and antique grain whiskey.

"Blend of Malt and Grain whiskies. Rested in bourbon, port and stouted rye casks to let the flavours marry. Nose: Candied banana, honey, dark stone fruits & almonds. Palate: Vanilla, plum, and agave with a luscious mouthfeel."

Under the hustle and bustle of cobbled Dublin streets in the early 1900s, a rare whiskey was quietly making a name for itself. The simple act of marking barrels with spots of coloured paint would not only signify their age potential, but would become the namesake for this coveted whiskey, bonded and bottled by The Mitchells – a seventh generation family business. As a Single Pot Still Whiskey, these Spot Whiskeys are made using a unique combination of both malted and unmalted barley. This leads to that silky mouthfeel and the pot still spices that these whiskeys were so renowned for back in the old days. Rather than being simply a ‘finished’ whiskey, Yellow Spot is special in that it contains whiskey that has been matured for a full 12 year period in three oak cask types: American bourbon barrels, Spanish sherry butts, and uniquely, Spanish Malaga casks. The Malaga cask brings an exotic sweet note to the whiskey making it a truly delightful taste experience. Only extremely limited quantities of Yellow Spot have been bottled making it a whiskey to seek out and savour as a true rarity. While Green Spot is often described as tasting like green apples, Yellow Spot is more in character with juicy red apples. Sophisticated and complex in character, the inclusion of full term matured whiskey from ex Malaga casks contributes exotic characteristics to the whiskey. Aromas on mown hay & cracked black pepper. Red bell peppers, nutmeg, clove oil & green tea. Sweet honey & peaches from the Malaga casks. On the palate is a honey sweetness with pot still spices. Flavours of fresh coffee, creamy milk chocolate & Crème Brûlée. Notes of red apples & toasted oak. Its finish is sophisticated & complex with a sweetness throughout, followed by a mix of red grape & dry barley upon exit.

A single grain whiskey from craft distillers. Light and floral whiskey, distilled from a mash bill of Irish malted barley and corn. Aged three and a half years in American oak first-fill Bourbon barrels before six months in Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. Double Gold - San Francisco Spirits Competition 2015.

The Robin Redbreast is the only bird which sings continuously throughout the dark irish winners and is one of the very few small birds that choose to winter in Ireland. It is this enduring spirit which inspires its namesake, Redbreast Whiskey. When the world demanded lighter, more accessible whiskey styles, Redbreast stood steadfast in its belief of the tradition and significance of single pot still Irish whiskey. For the past century, Redbreast has been the standard bearer for this quintessentially Irish style of whiskey. Made from a mash of malted and unmalted barley and then triple distilled in copper pot stills. Redbreast 12 displays the characteristic full and complex flavour of pot still whiskey, with the distinctive influence of pot still whiskey, which has been matured in sherry casks. The legendary sherried Redbreast style is a joy to behold in each and every bottle. This very special cask strength expression gives a rare glimpse of Redbreast 12 in its natural, full flavoured state. Tasting Notes Aroma - Succulent exotic fruit with a little citrus, complementing deeper notes of dried apricot and sultana. Infusion of pot still spices and toasted wood. Taste - Rich, fully rounded and mellow with luscious fruit and typical pot still oils and spices. Sweetness of vanilla and a touch of oak. Finish - Satisfyingly long with the sophisticated combination of fruit and spices slowly giving way to toasted oak, then barely.

Bushmills Single Malt Whiskey 21 year old is aged for a minimum of 19 years in former Oloroso Sherry and Bourbon-seasoned casks, then transferred into Madeira casks for a further 2 years. The result is a whiskey awarded Best Irish Single Malt 2013. It has huge depth that interweaves dried fruit flavours with spicy, aromatic maltiness and subtle nutty raisins notes.

Tasting note: The entrancing bouquet is spicy, creamy yet fresh, all at the same time. One of the most textural and buxom Irish we’ve tasted: Oily, pithy then more cocoa-like towards the finish with a cascade of sweets suggested, ranging through dark chocolate to vanilla wafer and toasted marshmallow; the oak adds balancing grip, while the overall persistence is quite something as the oils sustain the aftertaste. Equally an Irish to savour with water, which brings another dimension highlighting fruits on the nose (fig, orange oils), as well as in the mouth. Almost like two whiskies in one. Superb. Non chill filtered. 46% Alc./Vol.

The Renaissance Series fifth bottling follows the first four award-winning releases all of which have been honoured as some of the best Irish Single Malt whiskeys of recent years. The Renaissance Series has been a key part of Teeling Whiskeys range of award-winning Irish whiskeys, which have collected over 350 international awards over the last nine years, including the title of Worlds Best Single Malt at the 2019 World Whiskies Awards and four Worlds Best Irish Whiskey honours at the 2021 World Whiskies Awards. The fifth bottling of The Renaissance Series consists of 18-Year-Old Single Malt that was aged initially in ex-Bourbon barrels for over 12 years before being finished in high quality, ex-Calvados casks for over 6 years. This dual maturation and, in particular long finishing time in the Calvados casks, imparts a beautiful depth of cinnamon and caramelised apple character, with dried cherries and woody tannin notes. Limited to just 9,000 bottles, the resulting Single Malt is then bottled at 46% with no chill filtration, a signature of all Teeling Whiskeys.