Few annual whiskey releases command the same quiet anticipation as Midleton Very Rare. Since its debut in 1984, the series has served as a showcase for the finest whiskeys resting in the storied warehouses of Ireland’s Midleton Distillery—each vintage carefully composed by the distillery’s master distiller from a selection of exceptional casks.
Irish Distillers has now unveiled the Midleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage, the 43rd release in the celebrated collection and the sixth created under the stewardship of Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman. Like its predecessors, the whiskey represents a carefully orchestrated blend drawn from some of the distillery’s most distinguished reserves.
The tradition behind the series runs deep, as evidenced by releases such as Ireland’s oldest whiskey from the Midleton archives. For generations, Midleton’s master distillers have quietly set aside small quantities of particularly promising barrels—liquids considered “exceptionally performing”—to mature patiently until the moment they might become part of a future Very Rare vintage. The warehouses themselves hold casks whose lineage stretches back to the 19th century, forming one of the most storied inventories in Irish whiskey.
For the 2026 release, O’Gorman and his team selected three standout grain and pot still components to shape the final blend. One of the key elements is a grain whiskey made from a mash bill of barley and malted barley, a style also featured in last year’s vintage that brings warm aromas of butterscotch and toffee. a style also featured in last year’s vintage—similar to the approach explored in Midleton Very Rare 2021 Custodian’s Mark.
This year’s edition also includes a slightly greater proportion of Midleton’s signature grain whiskey, adding an elegant lift to the aroma with delicate floral notes reminiscent of rose petal and geranium. Older grain whiskeys matured in ex-bourbon barrels contribute additional layers of crème brûlée and milk chocolate.
Equally deliberate were the adjustments to the single pot still elements. O’Gorman increased the presence of lighter pot still whiskeys, introducing bright citrus nuances—lemon zest and orange peel—that add freshness while preserving the blend’s signature depth.
Bottled at 40 percent ABV, the 2026 vintage delivers a notably rounded texture. The enhanced pot still component contributes a rich mouthfeel and a gentle sweetness that anchors the whiskey’s layered profile.
“Each year, we hope to release a Midleton Very Rare Vintage that honors the craftsmanship that came before while offering something rare and exciting to discover,” O’Gorman says. “For this sixth vintage under my guardianship, I wanted to explore the breadth of our exceptional inventory while remaining true to the style for which Midleton Very Rare has become known. The result is a whiskey of depth and balance—where elegant floral grain notes meet the spice and stone fruit character of our single pot still distillates.”
The whiskey arrives in a fully recyclable presentation box made entirely from paper, reflecting a growing focus on sustainable packaging across the Irish Distillers portfolio.
Priced at €240, the Midleton Very Rare 2026 Vintage continues a tradition that has made the annual release one of the most anticipated moments on the Irish whiskey calendar.
Produced at the historic Midleton Distillery in County Cork—home to renowned labels including Jameson, Redbreast, Powers, the Spot Whiskeys, Method and Madness, and Knappogue Castle—the Very Rare series remains the distillery’s most collectible expression. With each vintage released only once a year, the bottles serve as both a snapshot of the distillery’s finest liquids, much like the legendary Silent Distillery Collection.
For collectors and enthusiasts alike, the arrival of a new Midleton Very Rare vintage remains one of the year’s most quietly celebrated rituals—and the 2026 edition continues that tradition with characteristic elegance.
