Introducing Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six, The final release from Ireland’s Oldest Whiskey Collection

Midleton Very Rare, the pinnacle of Irish whiskey, proudly unveils the final chapter in the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection, the rarest and oldest Irish whiskey collection in the world.

Chapter Six is the culmination of the six-year Silent Distillery Collection that began in 2020, with one chapter released annually. The collection honours the legacy of the Old Midleton Distillery, an icon of Irish distilling legend, which operated from 1825 to 1975 and was world-renowned for its Irish single pot still whiskey. Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six represents the very last drops to be released from the legendary Old Midleton, now forever silent. 50 years in the making and unveiled to celebrate the distillery’s 200th anniversary, the final chapter of the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection is a true taste of Irish whiskey history, never to be repeated.

A masterpiece of craftsmanship and heritage, this inimitable whiskey is the last release to have been distilled by the forefather of modern Irish whiskey, Master Distiller Emeritus Max Crockett, in the world’s largest pot still, often hailed as the seventh wonder of the whiskey world. Over the decades, it has been devotedly nurtured under the guardianship of three subsequent Master Distillers – Barry Crockett, Brian Nation, and most recently, Kevin O’Gorman –ensuring this ‘liquid gold’ was safeguarded with each passing of the baton.

Initially aged in ex-bourbon American oak barrels, the whiskey was later decanted into a bespoke cask crafted by Master Cooper Ger Buckley and his team. This unique barrel was created using wood from the five previous Silent Distillery releases, with Buckley meticulously selecting and reassembling staves from each chapter to form a one-of-a-kind cask for the final marrying of this historic release.

The result is a whiskey with a wonderful vibrancy, where lively, fresh fruit flavours elegantly balance earthy aromas of dried tobacco leaves and antique oak, a common thread throughout the Silent Distillery Collection.

Describing the liquid, Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman said: “Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six is a whiskey whose excellence is shaped by so many extraordinary factors. From the characteristics of the now incredibly rare single pot still distillate style created back in Old Midleton, to the 50-year maturation process under the care of my predecessors and I, to a one-of-a-kind final marrying, this whiskey has been looked after like no other.  Max, Barry, Brian, Ger and I, alongside the Midleton Distillery family past and present, have been a team over many decades, protecting and nurturing this liquid to achieve its peak. While there is a sense of sadness as the Old Midleton Distillery and the Silent Distillery Collection reach a close, I know they would all agree that it has been an extraordinary privilege to be part of the creation process.''

''As for this exceptional whiskey, I feel an immense pride and excitement in unveiling these last, precious drops. There is a balance of aged oak influence with fresh fruit notes that can be challenging to achieve in ultra-aged whiskeys, which I hope those lucky enough to enjoy it will find a remarkable surprise. I truly believe that we have encapsulated the essence of Old Midleton in this ultimate expression.”

Master Cooper Ger Buckley added: “As a fifth-generation cooper at Midleton Distillery, it has been a great honour to provide a special contribution to the creation of Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six. Crafting a bespoke, one-of-a-kind cask for its final maturation, using wood from the Silent Distillery Collection’s original casks embodies the heritage and craftsmanship that have been passed down through my family’s legacy at the distillery. Working on the cask that would hold this once-in-a-lifetime whiskey, I found myself wondering if my coopering predecessors ever felt such pressure to preserve every last drop!”

Playing a key role in the final chapter of the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery story is a specially designed decanter, individually mouth-blown and refined by the specialist craftsmen and women of Ireland’s internationally acclaimed House of Waterford. Each piece, hand-finished, etched, and polished, showcases Waterford’s signature luxury and craftsmanship. The exquisite bottle is housed in a unique wooden cabinet designed by Irish master craftsman John Galvin, who merges precision engineering with contemporary design. To mark the sixth and final release, he has carefully selected and combined six rare woods – each previously featured in the cabinets of the first five Silent Distillery releases – with the sixth being a stunning blue bird’s eye maple. Enhanced with a delicate 18ct gold-plated trim, a hand-cut and embroidered premium leather interior, and finishing touches including oak reclaimed from old Irish whiskey vats, this masterpiece is a fitting tribute to Midleton Very Rare, the pinnacle of Irish whiskey, and Old Midleton Distillery.

Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six tasting notes

Nose: Opens with decadent notes of dark fruits and malted barley drizzled with forest honey. Earthy aromas of dried tobacco leaves combine with worn leather and antique oak to produce an intricate assortment of flavours that recalls five decades of ageing to perfection. Burnt orange peel and grated ginger deliver vibrant crisp notes alongside subtle hints of black truffle, cocoa aromas and mild nutty undertones.

Taste: Stone fruit notes to the fore with flavours of peaches and nectarines. Indulgent notes of treacle and whiskey-soaked raisins build over time. Oak tannins work gently in harmony with the pot still spices giving balance to the rounded and luscious texture of this wonderfully complex whiskey. 

Finish: Exquisitely long finish that showcases the range and spectrum of flavours ranging from crisp, elegant and sweet notes to the rich, earthy and oak driven nature of this timeless liquid.

Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapters One to Five timeline: 

February 2020: Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter One was a peated single malt aged in a third fill sherry butt and the first single malt whiskey released under Midleton Very Rare name. This release marked a new chapter in Irish luxury.  

May 2021: Chapter Two was a single pot still Irish whiskey true to the style of distillate from Old Midleton Distillery, aged for 46 years, finishing its days in a single refill bourbon barrel. 

May 2022: Chapter Three was a 47-year-old single pot still whiskey born from the marriage of two separate whiskeys matured in an ex-sherry butt and an ex-bourbon barrel. 

May 2023: Chapter Four was an exceptional blended whiskey featuring pot still and grain whiskey. After 48 years of aging in separate casks, the pot still was carefully added to the delicate grain whiskey cask and the two married for 48 days. 

April 2024: Chapter Five was a 49-year-old single pot still whiskey, aged in an American ex-bourbon barrel and offered the penultimate opportunity for whiskey lovers to experience the Silent Distillery Collection crafted from the Old Midleton Distillery.

Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six is bottled at 53% ABV and is available to purchase in specialist retailers at a RRP of €60,000, £55,000, $60,000 USD.

See Midleton Distillery Collection.com for more.

Slán go fóill.