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Powers Irish Whiskey Launches Brand-New Permanent Expression – “Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength!”

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Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength!

Proudly honouring the history of Powers Irish Whiskey, Irish Distillers is excited to announce a new, permanent expression to the Powers family, Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength!

Launching 12 years after the introduction of Powers John’s Lane whiskey, this twelve-year-old cask strength edition will be batch-released each year.

A celebration of the 18th and 19th century heritage of John’s Lane Distillery when Powers whiskey was sold straight from the barrel at cask strength, the higher abv, 57.8% in the initial 2023 release, amplifies the much loved full bodied character of the original, reaching new flavour heights.

Born from the same meticulous attention to detail that created Powers John’s Lane whiskey, the distillers at Midleton Distillery in Cork have crafted Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength, a highly anticipated release.

Characterised by soft pot still spices that are integral to the flavour profile of the Powers brand, the intensity in the cask strength edition is magnified to create a wonderfully complex liquid. An initial medley of rich aromatic woodland notes intertwines with worn leather and tobacco, before cocoa, treacle toffee, crushed black peppercorn, and dried herbs assail the senses.

Bold pot still spices mingle with creamy vanilla, manuka honey and warming notes of nutmeg on the palate, before a wonderful spice-laden finish of toasted oak coated in a gentle honey sweetness.

Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength will be available on general release from 2 October!

A brand of firsts, Powers whiskey continually challenged the old way of doing things and advocated careful experimentation throughout the years.

With a rich heritage that goes back to its establishment in 1791, John’s Lane Distillery’s well-earned reputation is brought back to centre stage with the launch of this new permanent cask strength Powers expression.
– Eric Ryan: Powers Distiller


Powers John’s Lane Cask Strength will be available exclusively at the Palace Bar in Dublin until its general release on 2 October, when it will be available in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Dublin Airport and online at MidletonDistilleryCollection.com at RRP €90.

Powers Whiskey is available to buy from these Merchants:-


Tasting notes:

Aroma: An intense medley of woodland aromas intertwined with worn leather and tobacco. Layers of charred wood and cocoa meet with concentrated treacle toffee while the pot still spices continue to build towards additional notes of black peppercorn and dried herbs.

Taste: Rich pot still spice facets trailed by creamy vanilla, manuka honey and dried apricot. Additional nutty notes of freshly grated nutmeg work in harmony with the sweet wood-derived elements and bold spice intensity.

Finish: Toasted oak wrapped with honey sweetness that gently recedes, leaving the distillate-led nature of the spirit to endure until the end.

About Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of some of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the success of Irish whiskey globally. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish whiskey, achieving +10% net sales growth globally in FY23. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets around the world.

Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network.

In 2022, we announced a multi-million euro investment in a carbon neutral roadmap for Midleton Distillery in addition to our plans to invest in a new distillery on a site adjacent to our existing operations in Midleton.

We employ over 800 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

Irish Distillers Announces Plans For Midleton Distillery To Become Carbon Neutral By 2026!

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Irish Distillers is to invest €50 million over the next 4 years to fund projects aimed at transforming Midleton Distillery into a carbon neutral operation by the end of 2026!

Irish Distillers has today announced that it will invest €50 million in Midleton Distillery over the next four years to deliver a carbon neutral operation by the end of 2026. This is the largest investment made by an Irish distillery to date in pursuit of this ambition, putting Midleton Distillery on track to become Ireland’s first and largest carbon neutral distillery!

The ambitious plan to eliminate scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions by the end of 2026 will involve the execution of a roadmap comprising several ground-breaking projects which will see Midleton Distillery entirely phase out the use of fossil fuels to power its operation.

The carbon neutral roadmap for Midleton Distillery will involve the roll out of several projects aimed firstly at reducing overall energy use by improving on-site energy generation efficiency and recycling waste heat in the distillation process. In time, the distillery’s remaining energy requirements will be fulfilled by generating power from renewable sources.

As part of the initial phases of the roadmap, Irish Distillers has invested in highly efficient boilers which will require less fuel to operate.

To deliver subsequent phases of the roadmap, Irish Distillers is working with global experts and partners on innovative Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) technology which will see a closed looped system capture, compress and recycle waste heat in the distilling process. This the first time this technology has been used across multiple batch processes in distilling.

The first three phases of the roadmap alone are expected to reduce emissions by up to 70 per cent.

The final phases will see the introduction of renewable sources of energy, including green hydrogen and biogas to power the distillery and close the door on natural gas usage. To achieve this, Irish Distillers has partnered with local experts at EI-H2 to explore opportunities to source green hydrogen.

Irish Distillers has also carried out extensive research in partnership with MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, hosted by University College Cork, to determine the biomethane potential of the by-products of distillation and design the required anaerobic digestion process necessary to produce biogas.

Regarding its wider value and supply chain, Irish Distillers has recently completed a mapping exercise of its entire carbon footprint. Based on this data and insights gathered, Irish Distillers has committed to working with suppliers on projects and initiatives to reduce scope 3 emissions across all areas of its business including raw materials, dry goods, transportation, logistics and freight.

Midleton Distillery will be on track to become Ireland’s first and largest carbon neutral distillery!

Congratulations to the entire Irish Distillers team for blazing a trail, investing an incredible €50m to become Ireland’s first carbon neutral distillery by 2026. We need to take better care of our planet. Enterprise has a role to play, not just in reducing emissions that come dire

ctly from their operations, but by innovating and creating new products and ways of doing things that will help us make the changes that are needed. Companies, like Irish Distillers, who are committing to such bold and transformational change, will lead the way for many other similar businesses and I commend the team for their ambition and commitment.
– An Tánaiste: Leo Varadkar TD

Today is a hugely significant day for Irish Distillers as we announce our ambition for Midleton Distillery to become the first and largest carbon neutral distillery in Ireland by 2026. This announcement is reflective of our commitment and ambition to reduce our environmental impact. We understand that our long-term future depends on reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. This plan was many years in the making, and we understand that there are many more years ahead to reach our goal.

However, we are confident that by making this bold and brave move into the future, we will leave fossil fuels behind for good. Through the delivery of this plan, we hope to play our part in supporting Ireland’s decarbonising strategy while also aligning with Pernod Ricard’s commitment to follow a Net Zero trajectory by 2050.
– Conor McQuaid: CEO and Chairman

Supporting Irish companies to reduce their carbon footprint is a key strategic priority for Enterprise Ireland. Enterprise Ireland is proud to partner with Irish Distillers to support the roll out of an ambitious roadmap which will see Midleton Distillery become the first and largest carbon neutral distillery in Ireland by 2026.

Distilling is an energy intensive process and Irish Distillers is committed to significantly reducing emissions and making a positive environmental impact across all areas of their business. Their plans to leverage break-through emissions reducing technologies will in turn provide a blueprint for the industry and other distilleries in Ireland.
– Leo Clancy: Enterprise Ireland CEO

With the climate crisis at a critical juncture, Irish Distillers is committed to reducing our environmental impact across our entire value chain and an area that we cannot ignore is how we power our distillery.

While the technical challenges the team face in transforming our operations at Midleton Distillery to become carbon neutral are considerable, we believe that with the help and support of our partners at home and across the globe, this is possible. We are committed to doing the right thing for our industry, people, and communities. Together, we can make a real impact.
– Tommy Keane: Operations Director at Irish Distillers

Irish Distillers Releases Gold Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey!

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Gold Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey!

Irish Distillers, together with the Mitchell family are marking 135 years of whiskey bonding among the Mitchell family, one of Ireland’s last remaining wine merchants, by crafting a celebratory vibrant Spot release, Gold Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey!

This limited-edition expression pays tribute to the colourful history of the Mitchell’s whiskey bonding business which commenced in 1887 when the bonders sent empty wine and fortified wine casks to the local Jameson Distillery, in Bow Street, to be filled with new single pot still spirit for maturation in its underground cellars. Once filled, the fortified wine casks would be marked with a daub or ‘spot’ of coloured paint, to determine the age potential with Blue Spot, Green Spot, Yellow Spot and Red Spot, respectively indicating the 7, 10, 12 and 15 years of the celebrated expression within the Spot range.

Matured for a minimum of nine years, the expression builds on the foundation of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks

The colour gold symbolises quality, prestige, specialness and celebration and so the Mitchells chose this colour to signify their enduring relationship with whiskey bonding over seven generations and 135 years. This special release commemorates the past and nods to the future of whiskey innovation by embodying the unmistakable qualities of single pot still Irish whiskey.

Matured for a minimum of nine years, the expression builds on the foundation of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, typical of the Spot whiskey style, and is married together with a unique proportion of hand selected Bordeaux wine casks and port pipes. The inclusion of port casks – sourced from Irish Distillers’ long-established partners in Portugal’s Douro Valley– is a first for a modern iteration of Spot whiskey.

Working in collaboration with the Mitchells, the team at Midleton Distillery was inspired by archive documents dating back to the late 1800s showing significant quantities of port casks imported into Ireland which, once emptied, would have been used to mature whiskey. The combination of the four different cask types imparts exceptional flavours of vibrant fruits enhanced by delicate oak tannins and wood spices, with the port wine-driven cask inclusion adding an additional layer of complexity and character, alongside a taste of history.

Available from Tuesday 14th June at the RRP of €120!

It has been a privilege and a joy to work with the renowned Mitchell family as they took us on a journey through the rich history of their business, handed down through seven generations.

Gold Spot truly is a liquid time capsule with the wine-driven casks treading a beautiful balance of tradition and innovation and marking their 135-year history of whiskey bonding in Ireland.
We cherish these opportunities to collaborate with the Mitchell family and look forward to welcoming even more whiskey fans to taste a piece of whiskey history within the Spot family.
– Katherine Condon: Distiller at Irish Distillers

As the oldest family run wine and spirits merchants in Ireland, we’re delighted to continue the legacy of the Spot family, and our family’s historic role in Dublin’s whiskey bonding era.

It has been fascinating to once again collaborate with Katherine Condon and the talented team at Midleton to celebrate the colourful story of our family business, utilising casks that would have been originally introduced to Irish whiskey in the late 1800s. We’re excited to see what the future holds for this wonderful family of whiskeys.
– Jonathan Mitchell: Managing Director at Mitchell & Son

Unveiled at Whiskey Live Dublin, the non-chill filtered release is bottled at 51.4% ABV or 102.8 Proof – a reference to historical methods of measuring alcohol content as noted in the Mitchell’s archive. The whiskey will be available online from www.spotwhiskey.com from 12pm Irish Time and at Whiskey Live Dublin on the 10th of June and from Mitchell & Son stores and all established retailers from Tuesday, 14th of June at the RRP of €120. It will be available to buy in Ireland, France, the UK and Global Travel Retail, and the USA from mid-July.

Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition Released To Celebrate World Whisky Day!

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Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition!

Redbreast Irish Whiskey, produced by Irish Distillers at its world-renowned Midleton Distillery in Co. Cork, is launching the fifth edition in its celebrated Dream Cask series to mark World Whisky Day 2022!

Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition is a 30 year old single pot still Irish whiskey which captures the quintessential Redbreast style while celebrating innovation and craftmanship. The fifth edition represents a truly unique addition to the series, marrying two dream casks, hand selected by Master Blender, Billy Leighton and Blender, Dave McCabe, to create one exceptional whiskey.

To create this extraordinary whiskey, Leighton and McCabe each hand selected their favourite cask from Midleton’s inventory before combining them to create one heavenly whiskey. The first cask, chosen by Leighton, was originally laid down in a first fill oloroso sherry butt in May 1990, while the second – chosen by McCabe – was laid down in a first fill bourbon barrel in November 1991.

Each cask, reflective of the two distinct components of the Redbreast DNA, was chosen at its optimum maturity, then combined to showcase the unique traits imparted by each of the following three decades of ageing.

A 30 year old single pot still Irish whiskey which captures the quintessential Redbreast style!

Bottling these outstanding casks together at precisely the right moment has resulted in an incredibly complex Irish whiskey that harmoniously balances the vanilla sweetness and caramel creaminess from the bourbon barrel and the deep, dark fruitiness from the sherry butt.

With an ABV of 56.9%, the resulting liquid is rich in robust spice with wood-driven characteristics and notes of dark-roasted coffee, sweet liquorice, orange peel and smoked almonds amplified by the wine cask’s influence.
– Billy Leighton: Master Blender

Launching for World Whisky Day, 714 bottles of Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition will be available exclusively through an online ballot hosted on Redbreast’s online members’ club The Birdhouse at an RRP of €550. Each of the 500ml bottles will be presented in a keepsake book, made from recyclable cardboard*, detailing the latest instalment in the Dream Cask journey.

The ballot will be open for entries from Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, England, Scotland and Wales from 23rd May. When the ballot closes on 30th May, successful participants will be given an opportunity to purchase a limited-edition bottle of Dream Cask Double Cask Edition.

The Dream Cask collection has always been about sharing our most rare and special casks with Redbreast fans around the world and we are thrilled to showcase two distinct casks within this release.

For this 2022 expression, we set out to create a perfectly aged single pot still whiskey that captured the qualities and virtues of its Dream Cask predecessors, but with a new and distinctive twist of marrying these two casks just at the point of bottling. We are delighted with the results and are excited to share this next chapter in the unfolding story of Redbreast.
– Billy Leighton

714 bottles of Redbreast Dream Cask Double Cask Edition will be available

The traditional Redbreast style is so often associated with the influence of sherry casks that we sometimes overlook the role bourbon casks play in its composition. I am honoured to have been able to select my perfectly aged dream bourbon cask for this year’s Dream Cask and to pay homage to that unbeatable harmony that makes Redbreast so special.

We are incredibly fortunate that we have the variety of aged stock at Midleton Distillery to explore and make our dreams a reality. Sharing our discovery with whiskey drinkers across the world is one of the most exciting and joyful aspects of my role to date.
– Dave McCabe: Blender

Tasting Notes

Nose: A rich and complex balance of aromas. A suggestion of dried herbs and earthy tones combine with hints of antique furniture, anise, hazelnut and tobacco. Autumnal fruits, black cherry and cassis build in perfect harmony with oak and sherry wine influences.

Taste: Lucious and full with warming spices and soft tannins at first. Notes of dark roasted coffee, honey-menthol and sweet liquorice follow, complementing the pot still spices. Orange peel and smoked almonds add their own unique and subtle touch.

Finish: Long and satisfyingly rich with the precise balance of fruits, spices and oak lingering until the very end.

Redbreast Whiskey is also available to buy from these online Merchants:-

Jameson Releases Their Third Crested X Eight Degrees Brewing Collaboration!

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The third Jameson Crested X Eight Degrees Brewing collaboration!

Irish Distillers, maker of some of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, is building on its long-standing collaboration with Eight Degrees Brewing to create a stunning third edition in this Crested series!

Jameson Crested Finished in Barleywine Irish Oak Barrels is a limited-edition whiskey born from the latest instalment of the exciting partnership between Irish Distillers and the award-winning, Cork-based brewery, which is renowned for its innovation and experimentation.

For this third iteration, Irish Distillers and Eight Degrees once again joined forces to showcase the very best of Irish talent and local produce, and started by selecting rare Irish oak barrels from Midleton Distillery’s carefully curated inventory. The brewery team at Eight Degrees then selected barleywine, a traditional malt-forward beer, to rest in the barrels for twelve weeks to produce a rich and complex sipping beer infused with whiskey flavours for their Original Gravity series (ABV 12.2%).

A limited-edition release of fewer than 10,000 bottles

Once emptied, the beer-seasoned barrels were then returned to Midleton, filled with Jameson Crested and left to mature for a further three months. The result is an elevated Jameson Crested with a rich roasted malted barley flavour profile with notes of toasted almonds and sweet candy floss. Bottled at 45% ABV, the whiskey perfectly balances generous oak tannins and dried fruits with cereal notes and nutty undertones from the barleywine for a full-bodied and luxurious flavour.

Our relationship with Eight Degrees Brewing continues to provide a springboard for innovation, adding a new dimension to both our whiskeys and beers.

As a wood, Irish oak is much more porous than its American counterpart, meaning the barrels have been quick to mature and impart flavours of caramel and dairy fudge, which have worked elegantly in tandem with the nutty, malted flavour of the barleywine for a luscious whiskey which is truly Irish in every sip.
– Deirdre O’Carroll: Irish Distillers’ Blender

It is a rare privilege to work with Irish oak in beer brewing and the buttery creaminess the casks added to our Original Gravity Irish Oak-Aged Barleywine was immediately distinctive.

We are thrilled to see the seasoned casks return to their rightful resting place, with our beer imparting a sweet, malted character to this special bottling of the iconic Jameson Crested.
– Head Cellarman at Eight Degrees Brewing: Derek Neville

The celebration of Ireland continues on pack with designs from local artist Coireall Carroll Kent adorning both the Jameson Crested bottle and the Eight Degrees beer cans. Featuring historical patterns and ancient tree roots, the artwork is a vivid celebration of the Irish countryside.

I wanted to create a standout design which was distinctly Irish, I spent a lot of the pandemic trekking across the Irish countryside, and many of the roads that I took to are shrouded in trees just like these.

The knots are naturally rooted in Celtic culture, with the concentric circles representing both the curves of our landscape and the bubbles in a good drink!
– Coireall Carroll Kent: Artist

A limited-edition release of fewer than 10,000 bottles, Jameson Crested Finished in Barleywine Irish Oak Barrels will be available in Jameson’s brand home outlets at Jameson Distillery, Bow Street, Dublin, Midleton Distillery, Cork, as well as in global travel retail and through Jameson’s online shop, priced at €50 (70cl). In Ireland, it will also be available in O’Brien’s Off Licences and other specialist off licences.

The Jameson Anthology Whiskies – Remastering The Past While Imagining The Future!

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Jameson 15 Year Old Single Pot Still!

The whiskey makers at Midleton Distillery are proud to present The Jameson Anthology, a curated collection of unique limited-edition Irish whiskeys which draw inspiration from the past as well as imagining new possibilities!

Jameson Remastered, the first volume within The Jameson Anthology, celebrates the spirit of classic discontinued whiskeys, by reinventing them with modern techniques to deliver a new taste experience. The soon to be released second volume, Jameson Remixed, meanwhile will explore and experiment with new tunes from Jameson for an altogether different take on the classic Irish icon.

Retailing at €300 with a limited quantity of 2,220 bottles available through two online ballots

Jameson 15 Year Old Single Pot Still, the first release within the Jameson Remastered Volume, is a reinvention of a much loved classic which was last produced in 2000 as a limited edition offering. This award-winning liquid is composed of three exceptional whiskey styles, spanning 15 to 17 years of maturation in carefully selected American bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry butts. This single pot still whiskey raises a glass to history by featuring a significant contribution of sherry casks, paying tribute to traditional whiskey making in Bow Street Distillery.

Kevin O’Gorman, Master Distiller, takes guardianship of the new release in which he masterfully combined the original distilling methods with modern-day techniques. Whilst retaining a clear reference to Jameson’s unmistakably smooth DNA, the sherry casks bring together rich and fruity notes, paying homage to Ireland’s history, heritage and craftmanship whilst staying true to the original and remaining in tune with today.

The distinctive packaging of Jameson 15 Year Old Single Pot Still is set to appeal to the nostalgia of Jameson fans across the globe, taking them on a journey from past to present. The bottle is wrapped in newspaper, with one side uncovering Jameson’s heritage and the other marking the present day and comes in recyclable honeycomb cardboard packaging.

It’s been more than two decades since the last Jameson 15 Year Old was created and it has been a great opportunity to remaster this classic whiskey.

For this limited-edition bottling, we seized the opportunity to combine the traditional single pot still style with the strong influence of the sherry casks, which was integral to historic whiskey production. We’re confident to have developed a contemporary iteration of Jameson 15 Year Old that pays tribute to the torch bearers who put Irish whiskey on the map, whilst nodding to the current generation of talented craftspeople at Midleton Distillery. We can’t wait for Jameson fans to sip, savour and enjoy it to the very last drop.
– Kevin O’Gorman: Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery

The Jameson Anthology, a curated collection of unique limited-edition Irish whiskeys which draw inspiration from the past as well as imagining new possibilities!

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with the team to bring Jameson fans a new 15 Year Old that has been remastered for the modern day. The inclusion of the sherry casks creates incredibly rich flavours and an extra-long fusion of fruits and spices, in line with traditional pot still flavours that are known and loved.

We’re looking forward to continuing to delight fans with more to come within The Jameson Anthology, which we hope will be music to whiskey fans’ ears.
– Deirdre O’Carroll: Blender

Bottled at an ABV of 56.4%, Jameson 15 Year Old Single Pot Still comes in a 500ml bottle and will retail at €300 with a limited quantity of 2,220 bottles available through two online ballots.

The first ballot will open to members of Barrel Club Midleton Distillery at 9am Irish Saving Time (IST) on Monday 4th April and the second ballot will open to all other whiskey fans at 2pm (IST) on Friday 8th April. Shipping to successful whiskey fans will take place from the end of April.
For the chance to get your hands on this unique bottle of Jameson 15 Year Old and to enter the ballot, visit and sign up now!

Tasting notes by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman:

Nose: Rich nutty tones, dark berries and ripe orchard fruits mixed with sweet woodland spices. Underlying hints of oak combined with dried herbs and traditional pot still flavours, all wonderfully balanced and complex.

Taste: Robust and spicy with the pot still influences to the fore accompanied by the oak’s tannins alongside silky, textured layers of sweet dairy fudge and vanilla. Soft fruit notes of cherry are intertwined with fig and plum.

Finish: A rich and lasting finish with the duo of fruit and spices lingering before the toasted oak’s drying tannins have the last word.

Kevin O’Gorman Crowned Master Distiller & Master Blender Of The Year At The Icons Of Whisky Awards!

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Whisky Magazine Managing Editor Damian Riley Smith, Irish Distillers Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, World Whisky Awards Director Anita Ujszaszi

Kevin O’Gorman, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery has won the coveted title of Master Distiller / Master Blender of the Year at the Icons of Whisky Awards 2022, presented in a special ceremony in London on Thursday, March 24th.

O’Gorman was awarded the trophy in recognition of his contribution to the Irish Distillers portfolio and the wider Irish whiskey category since stepping into the role of Master Distiller in June 2020. Starting his career at Midleton in 1998, O’Gorman worked as a distiller under the tutelage of Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett, before honing his maturation skills under then Master of Maturation Brendan Monks.

Since taking the helm, O’Gorman has facilitated the team’s continued commitment to innovation and experimentation within the Irish whiskey category, leading to a slew of noteworthy launches from the County Cork distillery.

A highlight of the Master Distiller’s tenure so far has been his opportunity to oversee the annual Midleton Very Rare Vintage, putting his own individual mark on the eagerly anticipated 2021 and 2022 expressions, both of which claimed Gold medals at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition.

This is an incredibly proud moment for me personally and for Irish whiskey which continues to establish itself as a leading spirit on the world stage.

This trophy is a tribute to my predecessors, who taught me so much, and the incredible team at Midleton Distillery today, whose boundless passion and dedication means we are able to produce award-wining whiskeys of unrivalled quality.
– Kevin O’Gorman: Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery

METHOD AND MADNESS Release Rare Trilogy Of Whiskies Inspired By Japan!

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METHOD AND MADNESS UNVEIL EXCLUSIVE WHISKEY TRILOGY INSPIRED BY JAPAN!

Irish Distillers has unveiled an exclusive collection of Single Pot Still whiskeys, each finished in rare Japanese casks as the Masters and Apprentices behind METHOD AND MADNESS continue to combine tradition with innovation for a world class taste experience!

The limited-edition series features three showstopping Single Pot Still whiskeys including a 33-Year-Old finished in Japanese Mizunara oak for three years, and two other perfectly balanced expressions, finished respectively, in Japanese Chestnut and Japanese Cedarwood casks for over 13 months.

Sitting at the head of the collection, the 33-Year-Old Mizunara is the oldest Irish whiskey to be finished in the sought-after Japanese oak sourced from the Hokkaido region in Northern Japan, where the temperate rainforest creates the ideal growing conditions for the oak used for barrel production. The relatively low wood density and medium charring of the cask impart elevated flavours of nutmeg and vanilla to the single pot still distillate originally laid down for maturation in ex-bourbon barrels in 1988.

Just 252 bottles of METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask will be available

The whiskey was then refilled into this exceptional Mizunara cask for a further three years, resulting in a perfect harmony of spicy pot still and perfumed oak. Bottled at 52.8% ABV, just 252 bottles of METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask will be available globally at an RRP of €3,000 (700ml).

While the Mizunara Cask represents the generations of tradition and craftmanship in which whiskey making and Japanese culture are steeped, the two younger expressions highlight the innovation and experimentation for which the distillery is renowned. Each of the single pot still distillates were first matured in bourbon and sherry barrels before a finishing period in Japanese Cedarwood Casks (ABV 48%) – a world first for the Irish whiskey category – and Japanese Chestnut Casks (ABV 48%), marking a new first for the industry.

Stunning packaging, designed by Swedish-Irish design team M&E, brings the influence of the different wood finishes to life on pack with a traditional black and gold label for the Mizunara and brightly coloured designs, inspired by the neon lights of Tokyo, for the Cedarwood and Chestnut releases.

Elevating the trademark METHOD AND MADNESS marbling, the labels feature traditional Suminagashi designs – a Japanese marbling method dating back to the 12th Century. Each of the three expressions is also adorned with a unique kanji, or character, from traditional Japanese calligraphy describing the wood type and age of the liquids.

The Japanese Cedarwood expression is characterised by notes of eucalyptus and fresh botanicals, imparted by the exquisite cedar barrels traditionally favoured for Sake maturation. The cedar logs are sourced from the Kyushu region in southern Japan, where the warm wet conditions create a particularly fragrant and porous wood giving the whiskey its unique flavour profile of herbal tea, caraway seeds and clove spice alongside a delicate fruit finish.

Equally magnificent, the Japanese chestnut wood also hails from southern Japan, where the rocky terrain and abundant rainfall make for a relatively low wood density imparting notes of liquorice and lingering spice with flavours of orange zest and cooling menthol. METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Cedarwood Casks and METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Chestnut Casks will be available in extremely limited quantities at the RRP of €95 (700ml).

Sprung from the minds of Masters and Apprentices, METHOD AND MADNESS is a whiskey that pays heed to tradition while exploring the unordinary. As the team’s continued quest for the uncommon cask led them, this time, to Japan, they connected with the esteemed Ariake Sangyo cooperage in Miyazaki. Working alongside these expert coopers, the team was able to procure a selection of rare and precious casks and ship them back to the Micro Distillery at Midleton, Co. Cork, for the final finishing phases of these three exceptional whiskeys.

Bringing these exceptional whiskeys to life has been a joyous journey of discovery, whilst working with each of the new wood types has continued to test and challenge our whiskey making skills. Whilst we were confident we could apply tried and tested maturation methods for the Mizunara Oak Cask, the porosity of the Cedar and Chestnut wood – or Sugi and Kuri in Japanese – presented new challenges which required close observation to achieve the perfect balance of contribution.

It’s an honour to share this first-of-its-kind collection as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Irish whiskey making.
– Eva O’Doherty: Distiller at the Micro Distillery

This truly exceptional trilogy represents not only our ambition and far-reaching partnerships with some of the world’s best cooperages, but three individual triumphs in skill and innovation – the ethos which continues to drive the METHOD AND MANDESS collection.

It’s with great pride that we share this with the world.
– Finbarr Curran: Wood Planning and Maturation Team Lead

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask is available now from specialist retailers in Ireland, France, UK, USA and global travel retail.
METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Cedarwood Casks and METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Chestnut Casks will follow in late March.
The whiskeys will be available exclusively via the Whisky Exchange in the UK and distributed by Castle Brands in the USA from September 2022.

methodandmadnesswhiskey.com

@methodandmadness

Tasting Notes

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Japanese Mizunara Oak Cask

Nose: Coffee cake, toasted nuts, worn leather
Taste: Nutmeg, vanilla, wood tannins
Finish: Pot still spice, subtle fruits, fresh oak

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Cedarwood Casks
Nose: Eucalyptus, fresh botanicals, balsamic undertones
Taste: Herbal tea, caraway seeds, clove spice
Finish: Delicate fruits, sweet-scented wood, rich spices

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Japanese Chestnut Casks
Nose: Peppermint leaves, caramelised almonds, ground pepper
Taste: Liquorice, orange zest, cooling menthol
Finish: Herbal fruits, roasted coffee, lingering spices

About METHOD AND MADNESS

Launched in February 2017 to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey, METHOD AND MADNESS is crafted in Midleton Distillery, harnessing the creativity of Midleton’s whiskey masters through the fresh talent of its apprentices.

Taking inspiration from the famous Shakespearean quote, ‘Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t’, METHOD AND MADNESS is designed to reflect a next generation Irish spirit brand with a measure of curiosity and intrigue (MADNESS), while honouring the tradition and expertise grounded in the generations of expertise at the Midleton Distillery (METHOD)

Midleton Very Rare 2022 – Truly The Pinnacle Of Irish Whiskey!

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The Midleton Very Rare 2022

Irish Distillers, maker of some of the world’s most enjoyed whiskeys, has unveiled the eagerly awaited second Midleton Very Rare annual vintage to be released by Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman!

Midleton Very Rare is globally renowned as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey!

For the 39th edition in the renowned and highly collectable range, O’Gorman and the team of highly skilled whiskey makers at Midleton distillery, Co. Cork, once again enjoyed the pick of the finest whiskeys in the distiller’s inventory.

The Midleton Very Rare legacy began over four decades ago when the then masters, ever keen to create exemplary expressions, began setting aside small amounts of exceptionally performing whiskey for a new luxury offering in the world of Irish whiskey. Today, Midleton Very Rare is globally renowned as the pinnacle of Irish whiskey.

Drawing heavily from Midleton’s much-coveted ‘A2’ traditional stone warehouse dating back to the 1860s, O’Gorman and his team selected a blend of single pot still and single grain whiskeys from the inventory to create a whiskey worthy to carry the name of Midleton Very Rare for the latest annual vintage.

Featuring whiskeys aged between 12 and 33 years matured in lightly charred first fill and refill ex-bourbon American oak barrels, O’Gorman continued to draw on his wealth of experience of both distillation and maturation to maintain a significant contribution from the excellent single grain whiskeys in Midleton’s inventory, while once again allowing the pot still component to express itself within a delicately blended vintage.

Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman

As with any Midleton Very Rare Vintage, we start the search for our perfect components many months in advance, in a bid to create the luxurious, balanced aroma and taste profile for which this annual release is renowned.

Drawing predominantly from our historic A2 warehouse, we have selected a blend of whiskeys that work together beautifully – from superb grain whiskeys dating back to 1989 with beautiful floral and rosewater notes, to some truly wonderful pot still whiskeys from 2009 that offer a delightful fruit element with citrus.
– Kevin O’Gorman: Master Distiller

Beginning the search for the perfect blend from Midleton’s inventory in summer 2021, O’Gorman and the Midleton team sampled whiskeys from hundreds of casks that have been set aside over many years for potential inclusion in a prestigious Midleton Very Rare annual vintage.

Bottled from a single vatting during January 2022 at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2022 will be available over the coming months in the USA, Canada, Global Travel Retail, Europe, Australia, and Asia at the RRP of €200

Focusing on a small collection of casks considered to be at their optimal moment for selection, O’Gorman then worked with three prototypes that all offered an experience worthy of the pinnacle of Irish whiskey, only settling on his ultimate selection after taking all three home for a weekend of final tasting and consideration.

We were delighted to create three incredibly strong liquids for consideration, all worthy of becoming a Midleton Very Rare annual vintage.

In the end, I kept returning to the vintage we are launching today, a stunning whiskey bursting with notes of fruit and citrus, a palate of caramelised red apples, orange zest with luscious, sweet, decadent waves of crème brûlée, and culminating in a rich and lasting finish.
– Kevin

In keeping with the traditions of the Midleton masters, part of the job for O’Gorman and his team was to check the progress of those whiskeys already set aside for potential future inclusion, as well as to lay down the finest new distillate.

Our annual Midleton Very Rare vintage is not only a unique opportunity to re-nose some of the very finest whiskeys in our inventory, but also to consider which distillates and casks we should place into warehouse A2 for our forward planning.

This is an extremely enjoyable experience knowing that some of these casks that we’ve put aside may be selected as part of a vintage many years from now.
– Deirdre O’Carroll: Blender

Bottled from a single vatting during January 2022 at 40% ABV, Midleton Very Rare 2022 will be available over the coming months in the USA, Canada, Global Travel Retail, Europe, Australia, and Asia at the RRP of €200

Tasting Notes

Aroma
Fruit-led introduction with fresh citrus notes of mandarin and candied apple, while dustings of white pepper with grated nutmeg deliver subtle levels of spice that complement the rich and velvety tones of hazelnut chocolate and toffee. Carefully balanced, the charred oak works in tandem with the elegant grain character, elevating the delicate and nuanced fresh floral tones with the addition of sweet vanilla and warming toasted wood aromas.

Taste
Caramelised red apples and orange zest with luscious, sweet, and decadent waves of crème brûlée that seamlessly intertwine with the pot still spices and cereal undertones, creating an intriguing and wonderful medley of fruits and spices.

Finish
Rich and lasting finish in which the grain and pot still spices are the first to softly fade, allowing the oak – after years of carefully maturing the spirit – to have the final say.

Midleton Whiskey is available to buy from these Merchants:-

Jameson Invites You To ‘Widen the Circle’ – Make The World Feel A Smaller Place – One Sip At A Time!

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#WidenTheCircle

Jameson’s ‘Widen the Circle’ campaign starts today with a new promotional video called ‘That Spark’, directed by Emmy and Grammy nominated director Jake Scott and starring comedian Aisling Bea.

Make the world feel a smaller place. One sip at a time!

It’s a multi-year campaign and is being launched in the lead up to St Patrick’s Day (17th March) and will run across TV, cinema and digital across the globe, as well as through influencer, PR and social media outreach. On- and off-trade activations are also planned.

As the serious whiskey that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Jameson believes that easy moments of true connection make the world feel like a smaller place.

Unspoken bonds or “sparks” (as Jameson like to call them) happen when kindred spirits connect. They want to encourage people to celebrate that spark between them over a glass of Jameson.

So this year, why not widen the circle and bring some new voices to the table? To share their spirit. And Jameson’s spirit. Making the world feel a smaller place. One sip at a time!

See the advert ‘That Spark’!

#WidenTheCircle

The serious whiskey that doesn’t take itself too seriously ….

Jameson Products are available to buy from these Merchants:-

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