New Sharp Pricing and Historic Releases of Old-Style Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey
Reborn Again!
The recent explosion of Irish whiskey has been fueled almost exclusively by one distillery: Midleton. The old plant in Cork is at the crux of an exciting turning point in Irish whiskey heritage. The New Midleton distillery has shepherded Irish whiskey from near distinction to the complete renaissance that we’re currently in the throes of. Thanks to their dedication to the spirit’s heritage as well as their embrace of modern technology, this distillery is producing some of the best current examples of Irish whiskey in the market—and, fortunately for us, we can get these at insane prices.
The Irish whiskey industry once rivaled Scotch as a global force. Before Prohibition, its spirits were prized among the very finest in the world; their unique process of wet milling and multi-grain mashbills made for a rich and supple spirit without the telltale peat of their northern competitors. Their commitment to quality dissuaded the industry from adopting the new, highly efficient column-distillation technology that would catapult Scotch whiskey into the driver’s seat—making the Scotch whiskies more affordable and palatable to foreign tastes. By the 1970s the Irish whiskey industry was on its deathbed. Faced with an existential crisis, three of the leaders—Powers, Jameson’s and Cork—coalesced into a new entity and began producing blended whiskey. Under the Jameson label, the Irish whiskey industry would be revived.
It was thanks to the dedication of one man that the great tradition of Irish whiskey would not be lost to posterity. Barry Crockett, master distiller at the Old Midleton Plant, made sure that the new plant contained all the means to produce whiskey the old way, alongside the new hyper-efficient technology. Within just a few decades, Irish whiskey was extremely popular once again. The massive increase in popularity was doubly impressive because, as the entry-level Jameson brand grew, so too did the high-quality Single Pot Still brands. Interest in a high-quality Irish whiskey fueled a massive influx in capital and interest. In 1975 only two distilleries were operational on the entire Island; today 47 distillers produce whiskey.
But only the new Midleton distillery has continued to produce the old-style single pot still whiskey that originally brought fame to the Emerald Isle. Over the last four years the intense demand for extremely high-quality whiskies has driven prices up to the stratosphere. But starting in early 2025, a major shift in strategy from the owners of this remarkable distillery has emerged. They realized, I believe, that to continue to be the best Irish Whiskey, you must be able to offer great value for your customers. The result is several reductions in prices across all the Midleton brands—Red Breast, Power’s, Green Spot, and Very Rare. Whether these are here to stay or only a short-term response to uncertain market conditions is anyone’s guess, but what’s not up for debate is that Irish whiskey is once again some of the best juice your money can buy—dollar for dollar, bar none.
Redbreast Pedro Ximinez Sherry-Finished Irish Whiskey (750ml - Previously $150) $84.99
Redbreast "Lustau Edition" Sherry Finished Irish Whiskey (750ml - Previously $100) $64.99
Yellow Spot 12 Year Old Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml - Previously $120) $89.99
Blue Spot 7 Year Old Cask Strength Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey (750ml - Previously $250) $119.99
Midleton 2023 "Very Rare" Irish Whiskey (700ml - Previously $330) $199.99
A History in the Making!
When the old distillery in Cork closed to set the stage for a new era of Irish whiskey, the plant that had famously created some of the world's most prized whiskies since 1825 was closed, but not dismantled. In some quiet corner somewhere a few choice casks lay. Distilled by the forefather of modern Irish Whiskey, Max Crockett, and cared for by his son, Max, and subsequent masters, these casks were lost to time, but not forgotten. Now nearly 200 years after the founding of this incredible dynasty, the final casks from the old distillery are released in a series of six releases leading up to the bicentennial of the of the founding of the Old Midleton Distillery in cork.
1973 Midleton 48 Year Old “Very Rare” Chapter 4 Silent Distillery Irish Whiskey (Elsewhere $82,000) $42,000 The silent distillery collection represents some of the final barrels laid down before the closure of the Old Mildeton Distillery in 1973. While the Irish whiskey industry was in crisis, the hard-working artisans at the old distillery in Cork continue to produce some of the finest spirit that has ever graced our fair planet. It was hidden away for decades and finally is available to a very small few. Notes from the distiller, "NOSE: Notes of chocolate-dipped honeycomb with caramelized red apples and quince jelly. Luxurious aromas are enhanced by the sweetness of coffee cake and vanilla-scented cream, while earthy fragrances are matched by those of an antique, cedarwood cigar box. Dried flowers that still carry delicate waves of a floral perfume add to the array of flavors. TASTE: An explosion of fruits at first with fresh plums, peaches, and dried apricot. A hint of chilli oil and grated ginger follows. Delicate oak tannins, perfectly balanced with the fruits and pot still spices, work in harmony with a suggestion of mature Roquefort cheese. Floral and sweet grain whiskey add finesse, making this a wonderfully complex blend that is silk-textured and full-bodied. FINISH: Stone fruits and soft spices continue to linger for a time, with the oak tannins quietly fading into the background." Chapter Four - Midleton Very Rare (link for images)
1973 Midleton 49 Year Old “Very Rare” Chapter 5 Silent Distillery Irish Whiskey (Elsewhere $62,000) $45,000 This, the penultimate release before the anniversary, is one of the most prized Irish bottles ever produced. Tasting notes from the Master Distiller, “NOSE: Delicate hints of fruit at first, with peach, apricot and dates to the fore. Notes of sugar glazed almonds, worn leather and antique wood add to the complexity. Indulgent sweet tones of treacle toffee, vanilla essence and heather honey work in harmony with the earthy woodland aromas and light dustings of white pepper which quietly linger in the background. TASTE: Opens with a vibrant medley of stone and citrus fruits, enhanced by the pot still whiskey’s luscious and silk-coating texture. The oak’s tannins slowly build, adding notes of herbal tea and dark chocolate, while the spices of anise and ginger perfectly complement the sweet undertones of salted caramel and toffee apple. FINISH: A lingering finish in which decades of aging has developed intense and rich flavours, leaving the pot still spices and fruits to have the final say as the oak slowly fades.”