Irish whiskey meets French oak in this exquisite drop which has been multiple years in the making.
The coming together of worlds can be a truly spectacular feat, and when it comes to the world of whiskey, the sky is well and truly the limit, as Irish Distillers have once again proven.
The distiller, who is renowned for its Midleton Very Rare 2023 Vintage, has released an even rarer drop, in collaboration with Taransaud cooperage in France, which is certain to make a splash.
The finished product, named Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais, has been years in the making, with its inception beginning back in 2017 in search of the perfect bourbon barrel. After much deliberation, Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman and his team thoughtfully selected a rare and highly-sought after T5 oak cask from the Tronçais forest, which was created by Taransaud cooperage. Known for its fine grain and delicate flavours, O’Gorman (very rightly) believed these barrels would bring a unique flavour dimension to the final product.
Once the casks had been selected, a bespoke batch of Midleton single grain and single pot still whiskeys were introduced. After being left to mature for three years, O’Gorman proudly declared it a whiskey par excellence.
Elegant and refined in flavour with an oaky intensity on the nose, there is an undeniable richness which has been expertly offset with the presence of fruit notes in poached pears, caramelised apples and orange zest.
Speaking to the new dram, O’Gorman spoke of his desire to think outside the box.
"We may have created 'the Pinnacle of Irish Whiskey' with Midleton Very Rare, but we are constantly driven by the desire to push boundaries and create something new,” he explained.
“Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais represents our relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation while staying true to the unmistakable Midleton character and DNA, as we introduce some of the world’s finest oak to produce an outstanding and elegant Midleton expression."
Housed in an exclusively designed bottle with handcrafted details, Midleton’s duck egg blue ensures this drop is a standout on any shelf.
The first edition has been bottled at 48% ABV and will subsequently be released in yearly editions, subject to the availability of the rare liquid and oak combination as the years progress.
Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais is available to purchase here.
