To celebrate 40 years since Midleton Very Rare was launched, the Irish whiskey brand has launched this special 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition. It's a blend of three distillates laid down by each master distiller who has overseen Midleton Very Rare: Barry Crockett, Brian Nation, and Kevin O'Gorman. Each of these rare casks was married together to create Midleton Very Rare 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition, a blend that includes some pot still and grain distillates that date back to the early 1980s.
O’Gorman gave the whiskey a finishing touch by marrying the three in a first-fill ruby Port pipe for nine months, it is the ruby anniversary, after all. The whiskey was filled into 550 bottles at 53.1% ABV. It’s presented in a crystal decanter handcrafted by Waterford Crystal, featuring a four-point crystal to represent the four decades of Midleton Very Rare. The decanter is housed in a ruby case, all encased in an FSC-certified wooden cabinet.
A one-off NFT bottle was also created, partnering with the renowned Keanes Jewellers in Cork who hand engraved 18-carat solid gold on both the neck and stopper and thirty-two rubies encrusted within the neck collar, stones that are unique in that they are identical in both quality and style. This bottle includes an official certificate of authenticity from Keanes Jewellers and went live for auction on BlockBar.com on 28th February at 12pm GMT, with a reserve price of USD $60,000.
Unmistakably Port in character with blackcurrant compote, stewed plums, cherry bakewell, dark chocolate, cinnamon pastries, and sweet tobacco. Then fresh nectarine, earthy vanilla, figs, rosewater, dates, and brown sugar. There’s a very green note underneath before the bourbon cask DNA pulls through and gives you a smattering of American oak aromas. Give it a bit of time and there’s a faint meatiness as well as hints of mulberry and polished walnut.
Nutmeg and black pepper create a spicy backdrop that more chocolate, dark fruit, and slightly menthol herbs burst through. Give the spirit a second to settle in your mouth and it’s a bit like rolling around a blackcurrant boiled sweet on your time. Blood orange, dry tannic European oak notes, spent matches, and clove follows, with perfumed, chocolatey elements close behind.
A Szechuan peppercorn zing is there with creamy butterscotch and coconut revealing that the American oak casks have plenty to say here too.
As well as adding gifts to lucky MoM orders, #WhiskySanta is granting wishes on social media every day! Hit the button above and let them know what you'd like. It could be yours!
