Latest news with #KevinO'Gorman
Irish Independent
25-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Opening of Irish Distillers' new €250m facility in Midleton, pushed back to 2027 at the earliest
The comments from Kevin O'Gorman are the first indication of how long the much-anticipated project in Midleton, Co Cork, has been delayed. The Jameson, Red Breast, and Powers producer shared that construction had slowed at the new distillery in March but did not reveal by how long. During an interview with WhiskyCast, an industry podcast, O'Gorman was asked if the latest Midleton distillery project for the whiskey giant was on track to open next year. 'We don't have an exact date yet,' he replied. 'But it won't be next year. As I said, we are just on the brewhouse and the grains intake at the moment, and that in itself will take six, seven, eight months to get right. "And then we have the rest of the building structure to do as well. We are looking at longer than next year,' O'Gorman added. 'Over the next few months, we will see how we get on, but overall, it is progressing very well.' Irish Distillers, part of French alcohol giant Pernod Ricard, first announced the new Midleton distillery in 2022. At the time, the company said it was being built in the Co Cork town 'to meet demand and ensure the necessary future production capacity for its portfolio of Irish whiskeys globally'. The announcement said the new distillery – on a site adjacent and connected to its current one – would be expected to generate up to 100 highly skilled jobs for the region once it was operational in 2025. Irish Distillers also announced plans to invest €50m to fund projects aimed at transforming Midleton Distillery into a carbon-neutral operation by the end of 2026. Irish whiskey, like other spirits, is currently battling an oversupply problem. The sector has also been hit with uncertainty amid US tariffs on imports, one of its most important markets. Earlier this month, the Sunday Independent reported that the vast majority of distilling in Ireland had been paused. Irish Distillers is among those to have paused production at its Midleton facility. The business said the pause would be from April until summer as it was 'adjusting its production schedule for a routine, periodic review'. In response to questions, it said it had previously confirmed the timeline for the new distillery had 'evolved, as is the case with many projects of this scale'. 'Construction is still progressing on-site and Irish Distillers remains absolutely committed to the delivery of the new distillery and to the production of Irish whiskey at Midleton Distillery into the future.'
Irish Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Midleton Distillery introduces a pair of incredibly limited and very special whiskeys for 2025
Each year, Cork's world-renowned Midleton Distillery - home of Jameson, Redbreast and more - releases its massively anticipated Midleton Very Rare blend, and 2025 is no different. Midleton Very Rare 2025 is an extraordinary blend of the finest single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys, spanning four decades. This year's vintage is a testament to both tradition and innovation, expertly crafted to pay homage to Midleton Distillery's 200th anniversary. Drawing on his extensive expertise in distillation and maturation, Master Distiller Kevin O'Gorman led an exceptional team in creating Midleton Very Rare 2025. In their pursuit of perfection, and for the first time in the collection's history, the team identified six exquisite distillate styles, each representing generations of artisans who have shaped the Midleton Very Rare legacy. Masterfully blended, these distillates unite to create a whiskey of remarkable depth and complexity. This milestone release stands as testament to Midleton Very Rare unwavering craftsmanship, visionary spirit and commitment to pushing the boundaries of Irish whiskey excellence, an ethos that has stood at the core of the distillery since its very inception. Nose: Opens with sweet waves of caramelised apple, toffee fudge and vanilla notes, while the subtle herbal and floral notes of freshly picked garden mint and lavender slowly build over time, complementing the woodland spices of cinnamon and nutmeg thanks to the rich influence of the American oak. The pot still spices, and sweet grain character of this intricate whiskey come together, creating structure and complexity while complementing the notes of fruits and oak. Taste: Textured flavours of sweet honeycomb with soft fruits and delicate herbal undertones. Notes of white pepper with a mild hint of chilli oil work in tandem with the nuanced taste of citrus and orchard fruits while the sweet nature of this intriguing whiskey continues to build with decadent flavours of treacle, toffee, vanilla, and sugar glazed fruits. Finish: Rich and lasting. The fruits begin to softly fade, leaving the oak and pot still spices with the final word. Celebrating the launch of Midleton Very Rare 2025, Kevin O'Gorman said, "As we celebrate 200 years of whiskey making excellence at Midleton Distillery, it is a true honour to craft a vintage that commemorates this remarkable legacy. "This milestone release not only pays tribute to the past but also looks to the future. As we honour this historic occasion, my team and I remain committed to laying down more extraordinary whiskeys that will continue to shape and inspire the Midleton Very Rare legacy for the next 200 years and beyond.' However, not content with one release, this year also sees the final instalment in the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery series. Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter Six is the culmination of a series that began in 2020, with one chapter released annually since then. The collection honours the legacy of the Old Midleton Distillery, an icon of Irish distilling legend, which operated from 1825 to 1975 and was world-renowned for its Irish single pot still whiskey. Chapter Six represents the very last drops to be released from the legendary Old Midleton, now forever silent. 50 years in the making and unveiled to celebrate the distillery's 200th anniversary, the final chapter of the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection is a true taste of Irish whiskey history, never to be repeated. Initially aged in ex-bourbon American oak barrels, the whiskey was later decanted into a bespoke cask crafted by Master Cooper Ger Buckley and his team. This unique barrel was created using wood from the five previous Silent Distillery releases, with Buckley meticulously selecting and reassembling staves from each chapter to form a one-of-a-kind cask for the final marrying of this historic release. Nose: Opens with decadent notes of dark fruits and malted barley drizzled with forest honey. Earthy aromas of dried tobacco leaves combine with worn leather and antique oak to produce an intricate assortment of flavours that recalls five decades of ageing to perfection. Burnt orange peel and grated ginger deliver vibrant crisp notes alongside subtle hints of black truffle, cocoa aromas and mild nutty undertones. Taste: Stone fruit notes to the fore with flavours of peaches and nectarines. Indulgent notes of treacle and whiskey-soaked raisins build over time. Oak tannins work gently in harmony with the pot still spices giving balance to the rounded and luscious texture of this wonderfully complex whiskey. Finish: Exquisitely long finish that showcases the range and spectrum of flavours ranging from crisp, elegant and sweet notes to the rich, earthy and oak driven nature of this timeless liquid. Midleton Very Rare 2025 is bottled at 40% ABV and is available now at the RRP of €240. Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six is bottled at 53% ABV and is available to purchase in specialist retailers at a RRP of €60,000.
Irish Examiner
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Master of an art with 200 years of creative history
In 2025, Midleton Distillery celebrates its 200th anniversary, marking two centuries of Irish whiskey tradition and the home of renowned brands like Jameson, Redbreast, and Midleton Very Rare. 'I have the best job in the world,' says Kevin O'Gorman, the Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery since 2020 — one of the most coveted positions in world whiskey. Such a declaration is a rarity in the varied world of work — but an admission that Kevin underlines as the unadorned truth. Kevin's brief includes responsibility for maintaining the quality of all new pot and grain distillates produced at Midleton, in addition to overseeing the production process from brewing to distillation, and the tasting of all whiskeys to ensure the quality of all new pot and grain distillates produced at Midleton. 'Since starting my career in Irish Distillers in 1998, I have been lucky to learn from master distillers like Barry Crockett and Brendan Monks about the intricacies of the whiskey production, from grain to glass.' Having held the role of Master of Maturation since 2007, Kevin took over from Brian Nation, who served as Master Distiller since 2013. Kevin O'Gorman, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery since 2020. Acutely aware of his link in an esteemed chain, Kevin pays homage to his predecessors: 'It is impossible not to be conscious of your place in history here, and how important my predecessors in this role have been. We go all the way back to 1825, and that is obviously a hugely important milestone in our history.' Kevin is also tasked with sourcing the casks used for maturing the raw spirit, smooth running of the maturation process and finally tending to the product as it matures in cask, including working with the 150-year aged wood from North America, France and Spain. A brand ambassador across the globe, he represents Irish Distillers on an international scale. Topping his extensive work portfolio is responsibility for the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection — the name derives from having been distilled at the Old Midleton Distillery, which 'fell silent' after it closed in 1975. 'Like the distillate itself, the maturation journey of this whiskey is both complex and rare. 'In my former position as Master of Maturation it was a joy and privilege to play my part in the overseeing of the aging process in recent years, taking it to the final process if its bottling at peak perfection. It really is liquid gold.' A Cork native, Kevin is a graduate of the University of Limerick and holds a Diploma in Distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. Having started his career in Midleton in 1998, working as a distiller under the tutelage of Barry Crockett, then moving to maturation where he honed his skills under then Master of Maturation Brendan Monks. Working with distillery teams in facilitating spirit options for new brands like Method & Madness and extensions in the Jameson, Redbreast and Spot range, Kevin spent much of his time pre-pandemic travelling to source the highest quality casks from world renowned cooperages, while overseeing the full maturation process across the portfolio. 'The growth of Jameson and our premium whiskeys has been nothing short of extraordinary,' Kevin notes of the upward trajectory. 'There is clearly a demand for premium whiskies out there, people want to try something different.' In a career that has taken him on a remarkable journey so far, this man with 'the best job in the world' has no hesitation of extolling its virtues to the next generation of graduates coming up. 'There are tremendous opportunities within the industry, and we have taken on so many people over the past number of years through our graduate programme. Working in an industry with such great growth prospects and offering such varied and interested options, it really is a career choice like none other.'
