Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence: The Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition

In the verdant landscape of Ireland, nestled in the heart of Co Cork, lies the Midleton Distillery, a bastion of whiskey craftsmanship and innovation. 2024 marks a momentous occasion for this esteemed distillery as it celebrates the 40th anniversary of their luxury brand, Midleton Very Rare. This landmark year is heralded with the launch of a celebratory limited-edition 40th Anniversary bottling, a testament to four decades of unparalleled expertise, tradition, and the pursuit of excellence in whiskey making.

Irish whiskey, known for its smoothness and complexity, has seen a remarkable resurgence in recent years. Its global appeal is on the rise, with exports and appreciation growing steadily across continents. Amid this resurgence, Midleton Very Rare stands as a beacon of luxury and quality, embodying the pinnacle of Irish whiskey craftsmanship.

Midleton Very Rare was introduced in 1984, conceived as a showcase of the distillery’s finest and most exceptional whiskeys. Each annual release is eagerly anticipated by connoisseurs and collectors alike, for its unique blend of single pot still and single grain whiskeys, aged to perfection. Midleton Very Rare is the pinnacle of Irish whiskey - a celebration of the art of whiskey making - a craft deeply rooted in Irish heritage and tradition.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary, Irish Distillers has unveiled the Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition. This exquisite blend pays homage to the craftsmanship and heritage that have defined the brand over the last fourty years. In a fitting tribute, three exceptional casks, one from each of the three Midleton Very Rare Master Distillers who have held the positiion since 1984, have been masterfully married together and finished in a ruby port cask. This unique process has imbued the whiskey with a new layer of complexity and richness, featuring bursts of blackcurrant, raspberry, and plum, atop the signature Midleton Very Rare profile of floral undertones, orchard fruits, citrus, and sweet vanilla.

Kevin O’Gorman, the current Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery and a pivotal figure behind this anniversary edition, is a testament to the distillery’s commitment to excellence. With a career spanning over two decades at Midleton, O’Gorman has been instrumental in maintaining the high quality of new pot and grain distillates. His dedication to the craft is evident in the meticulous selection of casks used for maturing the whiskey, ensuring each batch possesses the distinctive pot still spiciness and the smooth, rich flavour profile Midleton is renowned for.

The launch of the 40th Anniversary edition is not just a celebration of a whiskey; it is an invitation to explore the luxurious and nuanced world of Midleton Very Rare. Priced at €20,000, this ultra-rare small batch whiskey is a collector’s dream, representing the zenith of what Irish whiskey can offer. The blend’s rarity is further underscored by the creation of a unique NFT bottle, a collaboration with Keanes Jewellers in Cork. This one-of-a-kind bottle, featuring hand-engraved 18-carat solid gold on its neck and stopper, and adorned with thirty-two hand cut identical rubies, is a true masterpiece, blending the worlds of luxury spirits and fine jewellery.

Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition is not just a remarkable whiskey; it is a symbol of the Midelton Very Rare's enduring legacy, a tribute to the master craftsmen who have shaped its history, and a beacon for the future of Irish whiskey. As we raise a glass to celebrate this milestone, we look forward to the continued innovation and excellence that will define Midleton Very Rare for decades to come. In every sip, we taste the passion, the heritage, and the relentless pursuit of perfection that has made Midleton Very Rare the pinnacle of luxury Irish whiskey.

Here’s to forty years of exceptional Irish whiskey making, and many more to come.