Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail has launched four single cask releases from Midleton Very Rare Irish whiskey exclusively in travel retail. They are available through retail partners at London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol, Dublin and Shannon airports.
The liquids from each of the four casks, each with differing finishes, have been selected by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, for their particular quality and flavour attributes. Differentiated by age statements and cask finishes, each cask offers a one-of-a-kind expression. Each bottle and outer case are personalised with individual bottle and cask numbers, alongside the date of bottling.
Inside the case, a special booklet highlights details on the process of production and selection, in addition to tasting notes for each unique cask.
Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail Vice President Marketing Liya Zhang commented: “We feel privileged to be working alongside the team at Midleton Distillery, to bring such an exclusive and limited release to travelling consumers. We have chosen to launch the new Midleton Very Rare Single Casks with retail partners at important travel hubs across Europe, in order to delight luxury spirit collectors travelling through these key destinations. We’re excited to continue working with Midleton Distillery, who are renowned for innovation and quality bottlings, and hope to launch more exclusive products for whiskey fans across the globe in the coming years.”
Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail General Manager for EMEA and Pacific Antonio Duva commented: “We’re proud of the global success of the booming Irish whiskey category and are delighted to bring a rare and luxury offering to whiskey collectors and enthusiasts. We are thrilled to be working with our key partners to bring to market very special and exclusive releases, and the Midleton Very Rare Single Cask release is truly a one-of-a-kind launch.
The 27 Year Old First Fill Bourbon (priced €900) is exclusive to Gebr. Heinemann, and has been bottled for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s Exquisite Store.
The Midleton Very Rare Single Cask 25 Year Old Virgin American Oak (€800) is listed exclusively at three locations, also through Heinemann, at Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Shannon airports.
The 21 Year Old Midleton Very Rare Virgin American Oak (£500) launched with Dufry company World Duty Free at London Heathrow while the 24 Year Old Midleton Very Rare First Fill Bourbon (RRP: €735) is available through ARI at Dublin Airport.
Tasting notes (courtesy of Pernod Ricard)
Midleton Very Rare Single Cask 27 Year Old, 49.6% ABV
Nose: Rich with sweet tones of toffee and roasted malt, while fruit notes of lemon zest with demerara sugar and ginger spice evoke a delightful assortment of flavours. The old and nostalgic influences of the charred oak add earthy woodland qualities to the vibrant pot still spices
Taste: Luscious with a mouthcoating texture and measured waves of pot still spice intensity. Delicate floral and herbal notes quietly linger in the background adding freshly grated ginger and clove spice all the while complimenting the soft tannins and sweet dulcet tones courtesy of the many years of undisturbed maturation.
Finish: Delectable finish with the spices lingering for a time, while the sweet fruits and gentle oak have the last word.
Midleton Very Rare Single Cask 21 Year Old, 55.5% ABV
Nose: Begins with dark, nutty liqueur notes, golden honeycomb, and hazelnut chocolate. Aromas of sweet cereal and baked confectionery, interwoven with orange zest, adds a nuanced character that lingers in the background. The delicate pot still spices and earthy woodland notes highlight the balance between the oak and spirit after years of maturation.
Taste: A rich medley of spices ranging from freshly chopped red chilli pepper, black peppercorns, to the earthy and sweet bouquet of nutmeg and cinnamon. These intricate spices weave amongst creamy praline, chocolate honeycomb, and salted caramel, while light hints of orange peel add a subtle and zesty note that complements the rich roasted coffee character, generously offered up by the charred oak.
Finish: The gentle fruits and sweet notes are the first to fade, leaving the American oak and spices to have the last word.
Midleton Very Rare Single Cask 25 Year Old Heinemann, 57.2% ABV
Nose: Waves of perfumed oak at first with savoury notes of cardamom spice, black pepper, and nutmeg. Sweet fruits spanning from luscious red apples to ripe banana, accompanied by maple syrup and cocoa powder, add an array of flavours that wonderfully complement the rich and vibrant oak influence, gained from the many years of ageing.
Taste: Intense, smoked wood to the fore with toasted hazelnut and chocolate dustings, while the pot still spices slowly take hold, adding depth. The charred American oak continues to unfold, adding sweet notes of vanilla, sugar glazed almonds and soft tannins.
Finish: The pot still spices and delicate sweet fruits begin to soften, leaving behind the prominent oak to linger, almost forever.
Midleton Very Rare Single Cask 24 Year Old, 57.1% ABV
Nose: Fruits to the fore with peach, toffee apple and orange. Sweet notes of caramel with light dustings of white chocolate and butterscotch work in tandem with the mild herbal notes and pot still spices. The charred oak remains constant throughout providing that underlying sweetness and cinnamon spice.
Taste: Sweet at first with hazelnut chocolate, orchard fruits and orange zest. The mild spices slowly build and intensify adding depth while the American Oak continues to add waves of vanilla with fresh, roasted coffee beans and delicate tannins.
Finish: Lingering finish which sees the soft fruits and sweet wood notes close out this wonderfully complex and aged whiskey. ✈
