Midleton Pearl Very Rare 30th Anniversary

This is an incredible Midleton whiskey that was released to celebrate 30 years - the pearl anniversary - of the Very Rare range of blends. A collaboration between retired master distiller Barry Crockett and new master distiller Brian Nation, each bottle carries a signature of both men. Two casks were selected, one a single pot still cask from 1984 and the other a single grain from 1981. These were then married for six months in a fourth-fill Bourbon barrel which eventually yielded just 117 bottles of sublime Irish whiskey!

Apparently the Midleton distillery had a massive clearout of old casks during the 1980s when they moved onto a stricter wood selection and cask management scheme. Therefore barrels from this era are incredibly rare and unlikely to crop up again.

Great care went into the high-end packaging and presentation. Each bottle is hand-blown at Jerpoint Glass in Kilkenny and a miniature is also supplied for tasting purposes. The oak box which hugs the bottle very neatly was crafted in County Wexford.

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Midleton Pearl Very Rare 30th Anniversary

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The product details are for information purposes only. It is no longer available for sale, but you may be able to find in on our auction site.

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Tags: whiskey , Midleton Pearl , Midleton Very Rare , 30th , pot still , anniversary , barry crockett , middleton , brian nation , blend , midleton

Product Details

Tasting Notes from Celtic Whiskey Shop and Wines on the Green

Nose The initial fresh herbal notes of crushed garden mint and rosemary, are a testament to the quality of the ex-bourbon barrels in which this whiskey has rested for many years. Soft honey sweetness along with beeswax shows its antique character, while hints of gingerbread combine with toasted oak to compliment some pot still spices.

Palate The soft silky mouth coating is initially honey sweet, then the fresh herbal flavours follow through with a touch of menthol. The spicy notes concentrate, staying sweet with cinnamon and liquorice before the toasted oak adds to the complexity.

Finish The succulence of the herbs and spices is very slow to fade.

Fact Sheet

Distillery Midleton, Co Cork.

Fluid 70 cl

Number Of Bottles Released 117

Alcohol % 53.1

Types of Barrel used for Aging 2 Ex-Bourbon barrels, 1 single pot still, 1 single grain which were married in a fourth-fill bourbon barrel.

FAQs

How much is a bottle of Midleton Whiskey?

Midleton Very Rare, the flagship annual release, typically retails from €180 to €250 for a standard 70cl bottle on first release. Secondary market prices are higher depending on the vintage year. Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy sits at approximately €160 to €200. The Midleton Very Rare Vintage Reserve single casks can command €500 to several thousand euros depending on cask age and provenance. Entry level Midleton expressions, including the Green Spot range, sit between €45 and €90.

How much is Midleton Whiskey?

Midleton Distillery produces Irish whiskeys across a wide price range. Powers Gold Label, a Midleton blended expression, retails from €28. Green Spot single pot still sits around €50 to €65. Redbreast 12 Year Old, the benchmark single pot still, retails from €50 to €60. Yellow Spot 12 Year Old is approximately €80 to €95. Midleton Very Rare annual release commands €180 to €250. The Midleton Very Rare Vintage Reserve single casks represent the premium ceiling of the portfolio.

Is Midleton made by Jameson?

No, though the relationship is often confused. Midleton Distillery, located in Midleton, County Cork, is owned and operated by Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard. Jameson is one of the brands produced at Midleton Distillery, not the other way around. Midleton also produces Powers, Redbreast, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Paddy, Tullamore DEW under licence, and the prestige Midleton Very Rare range. Jameson is the most commercially significant brand in the portfolio but does not own or operate the distillery.

What whiskey does Midleton Distillery produce?

Midleton Distillery, County Cork, is the most prolific whiskey production facility in Ireland, producing Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, Red Spot, Blue Spot, Midleton Very Rare, Barry Crockett Legacy, Method and Madness, and Spot Whiskeys, among others. The distillery uses both pot stills and column stills and is capable of producing single malt, single grain, and single pot still whiskeys, making it uniquely versatile within the global whiskey industry.

Where to buy Midleton Irish Whiskey?

You can order Midleton Irish Whiskey online here at Celtic Whiskey Shop with nationwide delivery across Ireland and international shipping available. We stock the full Midleton portfolio including Midleton Very Rare, Barry Crockett Legacy, the Vintage Reserve single casks, and all Spot Whiskeys. Prefer to browse in person? Visit us at 27 28 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, open 7 days. Our team specialises in rare Midleton expressions and can advise on current allocations.

Should I open Midleton Very Rare?

It depends entirely on your purpose. If the bottle is in pristine condition with original packaging, maintaining it sealed preserves maximum investment value, as sealed bottles consistently command significantly higher auction prices than opened bottles. If you acquired it to drink, opening it and sharing it in the right company is exactly what it was made for. The 2015 and later vintages in particular represent excellent drinking whiskeys that reward consumption rather than indefinite storage.

When is Midleton Very Rare released?

Midleton Very Rare is released annually, typically in the autumn, between September and November each year. The exact release date varies and is announced by Irish Distillers. Celtic Whiskey Shop typically receives allocation of each annual release on launch. To be notified of upcoming Midleton Very Rare releases and other limited Irish whiskey allocations, we recommend joining our mailing list or contacting us directly to register your interest in advance of each release.