This Incredibly Rare Irish Whiskey Spent Nearly 50 Years Aging and Costs $55,000
(Photo: Midleton Very Rare)
On Thursday, Midleton Very Rare, the producer of incredibly rare Irish whiskeys that considers itself “the pinnacle of Irish Whiskey,” announced the fifth release in its Silent Distillery Collection.
At 49 years old, Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five is Midleton’s oldest whiskey to date and was distilled in 1973 by Master Distiller Max Crockett, who made the whiskey using the world’s largest pot still.
Midleton Very Rare Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman blended the whiskeys together after they aged in ex-bourbon barrels. The final blend spent six months aging in cask No. 52969, an ex-bourbon barrel repaired in the 1970s.
The expression was bottled at 52.4% ABV and is available online through Midleton and select retailers in the U.S., Ireland, Northern Ireland, France, U.K., Germany, The Netherlands, Czech Republic, Belgium, Austria, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Persian Gulf, Singapore, Global Travel Retail and Irish Distillers’ brand homes with a suggested retail price of $55,000.
Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five is bottled in decanters handblown, etched and polished by Waterford Crystal in Waterford, Ireland. The decanters are each housed in an oak burr cabinet crafted by the Irish designer, John Galvin. The cabinets are inlayed with antique white leather, 200-year-old whiskey vat oak and silver detailing, according to the brand.
“Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five embodies a captivating tale that celebrates the convergence of the finest wood, exceptional whiskey, and indomitable spirit of the master craftsmen who sit at the heart of the Old Midleton Distillery’s legacy,” O’Gorman said in a news release.
“The result is truly remarkable, offering an exceptional liquid that exceeds expectations and promises an unforgettable experience. I eagerly invite whiskey enthusiasts to indulge in this exceptional liquid and discover the captivating history that accompanies the expression as they savour every sip.”
According to the brand, the whiskey is made from “some of the last remaining drops of the inimitable liquid from the Old Midleton Distillery,” which closed in 1975 after 150 years of activity.
Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Five tasting notes, according to the brand: “This exceptionally rare liquid opens with delicate hints of fruit, unveiling layers of peach, apricot, and dates with nuances of sugar-glazed almonds and antique wood. Next, a vibrant medley of stone and citrus fruits bursts forth, enrobing the senses in a silk-like texture.
“Slowly, the oak’s tannins emerge, imparting notes of herbal tea and dark chocolate, harmoniously balanced by the spices of anise and ginger. With each passing moment, the sweetness of salted caramel and toffee apple come to the fore, culminating in a finish that resonates with decades of ageing, where the pot still spices and fruits reign supreme as the oak recedes into the background.”
In February, Midleton released a whiskey priced at over $20,000 to celebrate the brand’s 40th anniversary.
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