Being chosen as a finalist in some of the world’s best spirits competition like the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2011, where it earned an ‘Extraordinary – Ultimate Recommendation’ rating, the Midleton Very Rare Blended Irish Whiskey is nothing less than a testament to the Irish penchant for making some of the world’s finest whiskies. Along with the Scots and the Japanese, the Irish have perfected their craft of making whiskies using the same age-old traditions that they have been known for the world over.

Winner of a Double Gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2007, the Midleton vintage continues to receive worldwide acclaim from whisky connoisseurs, spirits fans and loyalists. Winning a Chairman’s Trophy in the 2010 Ultimate Spirits Challenge have further cemented this Irish spirit into the minds and palates of everyone who have ever toasted a glass of its distinctly amber colored sensuality.

The Midleton Very Rare Blended Irish Whiskey is a premium blend of only the finest malt whiskies by the Irish Distillers Company in Midleton. The Irish Distillers release no more than 50 casks per year to ensure absolute velvety richness and complexity of flavors and scents to give you that one of a kind sensory experience you would expect from an Irish blended whiskey of this rarity.

Owing to its rarity, the spirit itself can command a hefty sum for a bottle of Irish whiskey, which could potentially set you back for a couple of hundreds of dollars. However, it is believed that the price itself is nothing compared to the exquisite experience offered by the Irish blend from start to finish. And even when everything is already dry, the hints of oaky goodness and nuttiness will still be lingering in your mind long after the effects have already dissipated.

Handpicked by Irish Distillers’ master distiller, Brian Nation and following in the footsteps of the legendary master distiller, Barry Crocket, the 50 or so casks have been carefully and meticulously distilled three times before allowed to age for as short as 12 years to as long as a quarter of a century in individually selected, masterfully crafted, and purposely built Sherry or Bourbon casks. The type of cask used gives it a certain richness that is sweet and complex, spicy yet very subtle to the senses.

On the nose the Midleton Very Rare Blended Irish Whiskey is a very complex experience of fruity sweetness with very distinct apples, vanilla, and cereals complimented incredibly quite well by the faint notes of potpourri, spices, and wood resin. Letting it filter through your nose creates an interesting twist of butterscotch as well as floral notes and that good old malty aromas.

On the palate, the Midleton Very Rare‘s sherried or bourboned casks provide a very interesting gustatory depth of experience marked by colossal flavors of Irish creaminess and the sweet and aromatic flavors of fresh springtime flowers, vanilla, and butterscotch. The finish will be long, smooth, and oh so spicy. Just the way you would expect from an Irish rare blend.

The next thing you have to do now is to get in touch with your favorite liquor delivery man to get a hold of this Irish gem.