Midleton Very Rare 2008
Visual: Bright banana gold. Very rich and vibrant.
Viscosity: Very fast medium sized streaks.
Nose: Vanilla and toffee. Quite smooth. Touch of barley and understated oak. Slightly peppery. Honey.
Body: Pepper. Malt loaf. Vanilla and custard. Very smooth. A lime touch. The tongue tingles but never burns. Light malt chocolate. Water smoothes even more and makes fruitier. It also removes a lot of the pepper style.
Finish: Peppercorn. Light oak and light malt drinks. Sweet syrup. Oak rises slowly. The flavours merge together with water to make a more simple but more rounded flavour.
Conclusion: This one has a reputation and when I saw the chance to try it by the measure in a local pub I was surprised. I was initially sceptical the sign was true, but here it is, in my hand.
At first the whiskey seemed quite closed. Sweet and smooth but it wasn’t distinct. The day’s heat however soon got the aromas flowing and produced an understated oak and pepper amongst the sweetness. This proved be the distinctive back of the whiskeys character.
Midleton Very Rare: A Vintage-by-Vintage Guide (1984–2024)
For collectors, connoisseurs, and curious whiskey lovers, the Midleton Very Rare series stands as the crown jewel of Irish whiskey. Since its first release in 1984, this annual vintage has become a benchmark for balance, elegance, and complexity. With each bottle hand-selected by the Master Distiller, Midleton Very Rare is more than just a premium blend—it’s a time capsule of Irish whiskey craftsmanship.
In this master article, we take you through each vintage year, from 1984 to 2024, offering tasting notes, stylistic comparisons, and the evolution of the range under Master Distillers Barry Crockett and Kevin O’Gorman.
The Refined Decade: 2005–2014
2006
- Nose: Ripe banana, vanilla fudge
- Palate: Luxurious texture, balanced spice
- Finish: Long, drying oak and citrus zest
2011
- Nose: Dried fruit, toffee, hazelnut
- Palate: Exceptional complexity, layered spice and fruit
- Finish: Remarkably long, one of the best of the decade
2014
- Barry Crockett’s final year as Master Distiller
- Nose: Tropical fruit, mild spice
- Palate: Elegant and precise
- Finish: Silky and subtle
Style Notes: Peak Barry Crockett. These years are known for their refined balance and collectibility. If you’re building a vertical tasting set, these vintages are essential.
