Midleton Very Rare announced the U.S. availability of its 2026 Vintage Release. A blend of the finest single pot still and single grain Irish whiskeys from Midleton Distillery, this year’s Vintage balances the character of the distillate with the nuanced flavors imparted by oak maturation.

For more than four decades, successive Master Distillers have set aside small quantities of whiskeys to create each annual Vintage. Carefully selected casks are aged in historic warehouses, some dating back to the 1860s. It was here that Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman and his team began the journey to craft the 2026 Vintage.

Five distinct whiskey styles – three single pot still and two single grain – were selected for this year’s blend. Among them is a specially selected batch of grain whiskey made from a mash bill of barley and malted barley, a style also featured in the 2025 Vintage. Its inclusion brings added depth to the aroma, with inviting notes of butterscotch and toffee.

O’Gorman made precise adjustments to the three single pot still components, increasing the proportion of lighter pot still whiskeys to accentuate delicate citrus notes of lemon zest and orange peel. A greater emphasis on traditional pot still character also lends the finished whiskey sweetness and rich, rounded mouthfeel.

Together, these carefully balanced components showcase the artistry and expertise of the Midleton team, resulting in a whiskey defined by elegance, finesse, and harmony. Since its debut in 1984, Midleton Very Rare has established a distinctive legacy in premium Irish whiskey, celebrating Ireland’s rich distilling heritage through an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and quality. The 2026 Vintage continues that tradition while offering a fresh expression of the distillery’s exceptional whiskey stocks.

“Each year, we hope to create a Midleton Very Rare Vintage that heroes the years of craftsmanship gone before while developing something rare, new and enticing for people to discover,” O’Gorman said in a news release. “As the sixth Vintage Release under my guardianship, I wanted to explore the bounds of what is possible from our array of exceptional liquids, while remaining true to the unique style for which Midleton Very Rare has become known. The final liquid offers a great depth of complexity, showcasing both the elegant, floral and herbal notes of grain whiskeys with the spicier, stone fruit notes from our single pot still whiskeys for a unique blend that is layered, elegant and distinctly Midleton.”

The 2026 Vintage is presented in a box featuring refined foil detailing and a new friction-closure design that glides open to reveal the bottle in a striking presentation. It’s bottled at 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) and is available in the United States at a suggested retail price of $240.  

In addition to the 2026 Vintage, Midleton Very Rare 2025 and 2024 are available nationwide. Availability may vary by market and retailer. 

Read more: Midleton Releases Last of its Silent Distillery Collection

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Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA., the world’s second largest spirits and wine company. Pernod Ricard employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide, is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI) and is part of the CAC 40 index. The company’s leading spirits include such brands as Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Jefferson’s Bourbon, TX Whiskey, Smooth Ambler Whiskey, Rabbit Hole Whiskey and more. For more information, visit www.pernod-ricard-usa.com.