Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey (700ml) – 2018 Bottling

Often considered the pinnacle of Irish Whiskey, a small quantity of this collectable vintage release has finally arrived in Australia. The 2018 bottling is composed of hand-selected single pot still and single grain whiskeys, each of which have been matured in lightly-charred, ex-bourbon American oak barrels for between 12 and 28 years. This is the 35th edition.

It is a great honour to have my signature on the front of each bottle of Midleton Very Rare, said Brian Nation, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery, and this acts as the ultimate guarantee of quality from the Midleton Distillery. We set aside very small amounts of particularly fine single pot still and single grain distillates each year so that the Midleton Very Rare legacy can continue. This practice has been going on for over 40 years and today we are the proud custodians of the exceptional distillates with a duty of care to ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the pinnacle of Irish whiskey as we do today.

Other reviews… Each MVR vintage has its own character, and the latest version has a sweet motif coddled in a soft, fruity bounty. Orange tartlets, white pepper, cantaloupe, nectarine, pear, malt, and rounded oak greet the nose. Honey and caramel with citrus, pulped fruit, and spice, before a sweeter phase of tablet, toffee, and vanilla flavors on the palate. Spices only nibble at the sweet and comforting finish. Collectible.
94 points – whiskyadvocate.com, reviewed by: Jonny McCormick (Spring 2019)