Midleton Very Rare 2026

The 2026 release of the Midleton Very Rare collection continues one of Irish whiskey’s most celebrated traditions an annual vintage that captures the pinnacle of craftsmanship at Midleton Distillery.

Building on more than four decades of excellence since the collection first launched in 1984, each Midleton Very Rare vintage represents the vision of its Master Distiller, combining heritage, innovation, and exceptional cask selection. The 2026 edition stands as a refined expression of this legacy, showcasing remarkable balance, elegance, and complexity shaped through generations of whiskey-making expertise.

Crafted under the direction of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, the 2026 vintage draws from an extraordinary selection of aged single pot still and single grain whiskeys, carefully matured in Midleton’s historic warehouses. Among them is the renowned A2 Warehouse a stone building dating back to the 1860s, where time, patience, and environment quietly shape some of Ireland’s finest spirits.

For this release, O’Gorman and his team meticulously evaluated a wide range of mature casks, blending multiple distillate styles to achieve harmony and depth while preserving the signature Midleton Very Rare character. A thoughtful emphasis on pot still whiskey brings vibrant spice, orchard fruit, and structured richness, beautifully balanced by the softer sweetness of grain whiskey, offering notes of toffee, butterscotch, vanilla, and delicate florals.

Select aged grain whiskeys matured in refill ex-American oak barrels contribute refined sweetness and texture, enhancing the whiskey’s layered profile and long, elegant finish. Months of blending trials and refinements culminated in a vintage that reflects both tradition and forward-thinking craftsmanship.

The Midleton Very Rare 2026 release is a celebration of precision, patience, and continuity honouring the distillery’s storied past while looking confidently toward the future of Irish whiskey.