Midleton releases an anniversary Pearl Edition

Midleton Distillery has created a Midleton Very Rare 30th Anniversary Pearl Edition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of this Irish whiskey expression.

Pearl Edition is the result of a collaboration between master distiller, Brian Nation, and Barry Crockett, master distiller emeritus, who share between them more than 60 years’ distilling experience at the Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers’ Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Eire.

Nation and Crockett selected a 1984 single pot still Irish whiskey and a 1981 grain whiskey respectively to blend into a whiskey of exceptional quality. As is tradition, both whiskeys have been matured in American oak barrels, which after 30 years have imparted vanilla and honey flavours.

Local artisans have collaborated to provide exceptional and authentic packaging for the expression, befitting its outstanding quality and rarity. Each presentation pack is bespoke; the Leadbetter family of glassblowers from Jerpoint Glass Studio, Co. Kilkenny, has shaped each bottle individually, which sits in a grand box fashioned from Irish oak by some of Ireland’s most-skilled, wood craftspeople from Co. Wexford. The case houses a celebratory booklet and a hand-blown miniature of Midleton Very Rare Pearl Edition to allow the whiskey to be tasted without opening the full bottle.

Midleton Very Rare Pearl Edition continues the tradition of featuring the signature of the creator on the label. As master distiller emeritus Barry Crockett returned to craft the expression with master distiller Brian Nation, the bottle features both names in recognition of their joint creation.

Nation comments: “Midleton Very Rare Pearl Edition has been 30 years in the making; 30 years of craft, 30 years of tradition and 30 years of patience. The liquid, its bottle and the presentation box are examples of the finest Irish craftsmanship, and offer whiskey aficionados the ultimate Irish whiskey experience by perfectly capturing our Irish heritage as we look to the future. Pearl Edition sets a new benchmark for Midleton Very Rare and the distillery’s Prestige Collection, as we continue to craft innovative whiskeys to further enhance the Irish whiskey renaissance.”

Crockett adds: “Few things are worth coming out of retirement for, but the opportunity to be a part of the creation of Midleton Very Rare Pearl Edition is certainly one of them. The whiskey is Midleton’s most prized possession and represents the greatest milestone since I crafted the first ever edition of Midleton Very Rare back in 1984. It is an honour to be a part of this release and Ireland’s rich distilling heritage, and I hope discerning drinkers and whiskey enthusiasts cherish every drop.”

Only 117 bottles will be available in Ireland, UK, France, Germany and China, priced at €6,000 or equivalent, from November 2014

3 November 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor