The Midleton Very Rare 2025 Edition is a particularly momentous release, crafted to celebrate 200 years of the Midleton Distillery. Under master distiller Kevin O’Gorman’s guidance, this vintage brings together six distinct distillate styles, including a rare combination of both grain and pot still whiskeys—among them a 22-year-old and a 21-year-old grain whiskey matured in refill ex-American oak barrels, plus an increased contribution from pot still whiskeys aged in first-fill barrels. The nose opens with luxuriously sweet waves of caramelised apple, vanilla, toffee fudge, and a gentle aromatic undertow of garden mint, lavender, woodland spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, all brought to life by American oak. On the palate, you get layers of delicate herbal tones and orchard fruits, a hint of white pepper and chilli oil, alongside soft sweetness of honeycomb and sugar-glazed fruits balanced by citrus. The finish is rich and lasting; as the fruits gradually fade, pot still spice and oak notes carry you to a warm, elegant close. Bot­tled at 40% ABV and presented in a commemorative gift box featuring illustrations of the distillery and its iconic pot stills, this edition is as much a tribute to heritage as it is a showcase of innovation and depth.