Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release 2019

Released annually since 1984. The 2019 vintage of Ireland's most prestigious whiskey — selected by Master Distiller Brian Nation from the finest casks at the Midleton Distillery in County Cork.

Midleton Very Rare has been released once per year, every year, since 1984. No vintage has ever been repeated. Each edition is a curated selection of the finest pot still and grain whiskeys from Midleton's warehouses — casks that were too exceptional to blend into the standard lineup — assembled by the Master Distiller and bottled with a numbered certificate of authenticity bearing their signature.

The 2019 edition was selected by Brian Nation, who served as Master Distiller at Midleton from 2013 to 2021. Each vintage reflects the specific casks that peaked in that particular year — the 2019 will never be reproduced. For collectors building a complete vertical of Midleton Very Rare, or for drinkers who want a documented, numbered, single-vintage Irish whiskey, this is the relevant bottle.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Warm golden amber.
• Aroma: Honeyed grain, vanilla, dried fruit, toasted oak, and a delicate spice from the pot still component.
• Palate: Satiny and complex — sweet grain, toffee, honey, dried fruit, and the characteristic creamy spice that defines Irish pot still whiskey.
• Finish: Long, elegant, and refined — warm oak and honey fading into a clean, deeply satisfying close.

What Makes Midleton Very Rare Different

The Midleton Distillery in County Cork is the home of Jameson, Redbreast, Green Spot, and the majority of Ireland's exported whiskey. Midleton Very Rare is the annual reserve release — not a brand extension or a marketing exercise, but the actual best casks from that year's production. The numbered certificate, the vintage designation, and the Master Distiller's signature are the guarantee.

Specs

• Distillery: Midleton, County Cork, Ireland
• Style: Blended Irish Whiskey (pot still and grain)
• Master Distiller: Brian Nation
• Size: 750ml
• Release: 2019 Vintage
• Certification: Numbered, signed certificate of authenticity

Also available: the 2018 Midleton Very Rare and the full Irish whiskey selection at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the 2019 differ from the 2018 Midleton Very Rare? Each vintage is assembled from different casks selected that year — the 2018 and 2019 are genuinely distinct expressions, not the same blend. The differences reflect the specific casks that peaked in each year and Brian Nation's palate and selection criteria for that vintage.
• What is Irish pot still whiskey? Irish pot still whiskey is a style unique to Ireland, made from a mash of both malted and unmalted barley distilled in traditional copper pot stills. It produces a creamy, spicy character distinct from Scotch single malt or grain whiskey. Midleton Very Rare blends pot still spirit with aged grain whiskey for its characteristic profile.
• Is Midleton Very Rare a collectable? Yes — annual vintage releases from prestigious distilleries tend to appreciate as specific years become unavailable. Complete verticals of Midleton Very Rare (every vintage since 1984) are among the most prized whiskey collections in the world. The 2019 is a finished, numbered release that cannot be restocked.
• How does Midleton Very Rare compare to Redbreast 21 or 27? Redbreast is a single pot still Irish whiskey — all pot still spirit, no grain. Midleton Very Rare blends both pot still and grain whiskeys. Redbreast is style-focused; Midleton Very Rare is vintage-focused. They represent different approaches to premium Irish whiskey.