Latest news with #MidletonDistillery
Forbes
25-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The World's Best Whiskey—According To The 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Awards
Old Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland We spend a lot of time here reporting on results from the San Francisco Spirits Competition. It might seem excessive, but it's for good reason: this is unequivocally one of the most influential annual judgings in the booze industry. Brands no less significant than Tito's Vodka, Don Julio tequila, and--most recently--Talisker single malt scotch, have seen their statures soar after taking home top prizes in SF. This year will be no different. And the esteemed judges have already submitted their scores over a three day tasting that convened in mid-April. Still, we'll have to wait until autumn and the 2025 Top Shelf Gala in order to find out who takes home the coveted 'Best of Class' trophies in all the major categories. In the meantime, we've received exclusive intel on the whiskey maker that's amassed more awards than anyone else. In fact, with 40 total entries earning medals, Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland can now boast of besting all other spirit producers on the planet at the 2025 SF World Spirits Competition. Here's everything you need to know about--and pour from--the legendary 200 year-old operation. Old Midleton Distillery, with its elegant stone facade, was originally a woolen mill in the late 18th century. By 1825 it had taken on life as a whiskey production and maturation site, aided by its proximity to a pristine, readily flowing source of fresh water. It sits on over 15 acres of land and was one of the biggest producers in the world by the time it was shuttered in 1975. It was immediately replaced by a bigger facility, updated for the modern world. The 'new' Midleton Distillery, on an adjacent tract of land, isn't actually all that new anymore. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the facility produces Jameson, the best-selling brand of Irish whiskey the world has ever known:. And that's not nearly all. Here, beside the banks of the Dungourney River, you'll find thousands of barrels worth of Powers aging patiently in the warehouse alongside the most celebrated labels of single pot still Irish: Redbreast, Green Spot, Yellow Spot, and--of course--Midleton Very Rare. Earlier this year, that eponymous label released the sixth and final chapter in its Rare Silent Distillery Collection. This supremely limited release exists as some of the last liquid ever to be distilled at Old Midleton. It also happens to be the oldest single pot still whiskey ever. Which is why you won't find it for less than $60,000 a bottle--if you even find it at all. Your best chance of tracking it down it is by heading directly to the source in County Cork, Ireland. In 1992, Old Midleton was converted into a visitor's center and gift shop. Although ubiquitous now, at the time it was rather radical to position a distillery as a tourist destination. Today, the place welcomes more than 100,000 visitors a year, making it one of Ireland's biggest attractions. Meanwhile, the current distillery is an absolute workhorse, capable of producing 64 million liters of new-make spirit per year. Compare that to Bushmills: even after doubling its capacity in 2023, the legendary Northern Irish whiskey maker churns out a meager 11 million liters per annum. But out of all that 64 million liters worth of potential whiskey coming out of Midleton every year, the top three bottles for my money are as follows… Will any of these bottlings take home the highest honor in San Francisco? We'll soon see. For now, we know that of the 40 entries earning medals this year, a full nine of them are finalists for 'Best of Class' at Top Shelf this fall. There are also 21 Double Gold winners, to go along with nine platinum honorees. Follow along as we reveal more exclusive details in the days ahead. The giant still of the Midleton distillery, the largest distillery in Ireland. Images and captions ... More taken from the book La Magie du Whisky. | Location: Midleton, Ireland. (Photo by David Lefranc/Kipa/Sygma via Getty Images)
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.'
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The SF World Spirits Competition Selects The Top Irish Pot Still Whiskey
The finalists for World's Best Pot Still Irish Whiskey Five Irish pot still whiskeys are finalists for the World's Best Irish Pot Still Whiskey at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes for the five finalists. Yellow Spot, part of the historic Spot Whiskey range, is one of the legendary brands of Irish whiskey. The brand is owned by Mitchell & Son Wine Merchants in Dublin and produced at the Midleton Distillery in Cork. This 12-year-old expression matures in ex-bourbon, sherry, and Malaga wine casks, offering a complex and layered profile. The whiskey presents a rich and creamy nose, showcasing aromas of lemon cheesecake, butterscotch, cooked cereal/malt, butter, and cinnamon. The palate reveals a sweet and spicy character, enhanced by buttered toast, jammy and dried fruits, nutmeg, clove, and candied lemon zest. The finish is long, sweet, and complex, with lingering raisin notes and cooked cereal. Redbreast is a legendary Irish whiskey brand and a perennial medalist in international spirit competitions. The 21-year-old expression is a premium whiskey from the Midleton Distillery. It's crafted from a mash bill of malted and unmalted barley, triple distilled in copper pot stills, and matured in a combination of American ex-bourbon barrels and first-fill Spanish Oloroso sherry butts. The result is a rich and complex whiskey that many consider among the finest pot still whiskeys in the world. The whiskey is rich and complex on the nose, showcasing a wide array of aromas, including fresh tropical fruits, nuts, and rich dried fruit. The palate reveals a pronounced Sherry influence, accompanied by vanilla, toasted oak, an assortment of fresh and dried fruits, nuts, and subtle wood spice notes. The finish is long and layered, featuring lingering spices, lemon curd, sugar cookies, and gingerbread notes. The Redbreast whiskey range This exceptional 27-year-old expression from Redbreast is matured in a combination of bourbon, sherry, and ruby port casks. Bottled at cask strength, it showcases the pinnacle of Redbreast's craftsmanship. A perennial gold medalist in international spirit competitions, it is one of the great Irish whiskeys. Like its younger sibling, the whiskey has an incredibly broad aroma, encompassing fresh and dried tropical and orchard fruits, nuts, caramel or butterscotch, and vanilla. The palate is smooth and creamy, showcasing Sherry/fruit cake, vanilla, toasted oak, nuts, and subtle spice notes. The finish is long and fruity, with lingering spice and seasoned oak notes. Redbreast Cask Strength is a more flavorful, intense, and higher-proof version of the classic 12-year-old Redbreast. It matures in a combination of ex-bourbon and Oloroso sherry casks. The nose reveals tropical, orchard, and citrus fruits, particularly dried apricot and golden raisin, accompanied by a medley of spices and toasted wood. The palate is rich, flavorful, and creamy, showcasing succulent fresh and dried fruits, spices, vanilla, and a hint of oak. The finish is exceptionally long, with lingering notes of fruit, spice, toasted oak, and digestive biscuit/cooked cereal. Boann Distillery's PX Cask Finish is a limited-edition single pot still Irish whiskey matured in Oloroso Sherry hogsheads and then finished in Pedro Ximénez casks from Malaga. Some of the PX casks are made from chestnut wood, imparting notes of nuts, bitter chocolate, and dried fruits to the whiskey. Dried fruit, dark chocolate, and a hint of spice are featured on the nose. The palate exhibits PX Sherry notes of figs, dates, raisins, caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, and seasoned oak. The finish is long and rich, with lingering notes of caramel, dark fruit, and sherry sweetness. The SFWSC is among the world's most respected and influential spirits competitions. Founded in 2000, it brings together a panel of seasoned industry experts—including master distillers, spirits journalists, and bar professionals—to conduct blind tastings across various spirit categories. Awards from the SFWSC are highly coveted, often serving as a benchmark for quality and craftsmanship in the global spirits industry. Its rigorous judging process and international prestige make it a valuable platform for emerging and established brands. Redbreast, one of the leading Irish whiskey producers, dominates the Best 2025 SFWSC Irish Pot Still Whiskey finalists. The 27-year-old Redbreast is nothing less than legendary, having won top Irish whiskey honors at numerous international spirit competitions. Together, these whiskeys showcase the remarkable breadth and sophistication of Irish pot still whiskeys. If you're a fan of Irish whiskey, these expressions should be part of your collection. If you are unfamiliar with Irish whiskey and wish to learn more, these finalists are a good place to start.
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 Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Midleton at the heart of Ireland's whiskey boom
Midleton Distillery in east Cork , home to a great deal of Irish whiskey, celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. As part of the celebrations, it released the sixth and final chapter of the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection, containing the very last drops of whiskey made in the original distillery, which closed in 1975. A minimum of 50 years old, it is available from specialist retailers for €60,000 a bottle. I had a few small sips and can assure you it is an exquisite whiskey. I also tasted the 2025 release of the highly sought-after Midleton Very Rare. Carol Quinn, Midleton archivist, is a mine of fascinating historical information. 'In 1825,' she says, 'as the second-largest natural harbour in the world, Cork was a huge centre of international trade, and home to that class of merchants in Cork city known as the merchant princes. Our records show that in 1824 the Murphy family were importing goods from the Mediterranean, things such as currants, raisins, olive oil, and even lemons from Sicily; they also had a thriving tea importation business. James Murphy, founder of the distillery in Midleton, understood international trade and how you import and export all around the world; he understood luxury goods and applied all of that knowledge to the distillery here when he established it in 1825.' In 1854 they installed what is still the world's largest pot still. 'The distillery had a huge impact here in terms of employment. The records show there would have been around 200 people employed here, with father being followed by son and grandson. You could have five to six generations of one family.' For various reasons Irish whiskey then went into decline through much of the 20th century, which culminated in the merger of all the southern Irish producers into Irish Distillers. More recently there has been a boom in Irish whiskey sales here and abroad, and we now have a range of interesting whiskeys. I include one below from Aldi; the rest are made by Irish Distillers. READ MORE Ardfallen Premium Blended Irish Whiskey Ardfallen Premium Blended Irish Whiskey 40%, €22.09 Smooth, honeyed and rounded with milk chocolate and vanilla spice. From Aldi Redbreast 12-year-old Single Pot Still Redbreast 12-year-old Single Pot Still 40%, €69 Rich and smooth with textured dried fruits, butterscotch, toasted almonds and notes of sherry. Widely available from off-licences Powers John's Lane 12-year-old Single Pot Still Powers John's Lane 12-year-old Single Pot Still 46%, €75 Rich and oily with orange peel, some spice, and chocolate on the finish. Full bodied and smooth. Widely available from off-licences Midleton Very Rare 2025 Single Pot Still Midleton Very Rare 2025 Single Pot Still 40%, €240 A complex and complete whiskey with vanilla, toffee and orchard fruits finishing with textured honey and spice. Available from specialist off-licences
