In 1975, production was moved to its base in midleton, cork. Midleton very rare introduce the oldest ever irish whiskey collection. It is owned by irish distillers, a subsidiary of pernod ricard. Im just back from ireland, where i have been with the fine folks from irish distillers midleton, jameson, green spot, yellow spot, redbreast and more at their hugely impressive distilling complex in midleton. At a time when all other distilleries were reluctant to take risks, master distiller barry crockett took it upon himself to create the award winning flagship blend from the midleton distillery. Released every year in a limited quantity up to 50 casks, midleton very rare is hand selected by the master distiller and can contain a mix of anything from 12 to 25yearold single pot still whiskey. A nonage statement whiskey, containing a mix of pot still and grain whiskeys, it is matured for about twelve to twenty years in exbourbon american oak barrels. The new company was joined in 1972 by bushmills, a situation which created a monopoly on the production of irish whiskey. Midleton very rare have stormed the irish market this month with the launch of the oldest ever irish whiskey collection. Inside the archives at irish distillers master of malt blog.
Cork, next to the old distillery where paddy was produced for centuries. A bold new look for powers irish whiskey irish distillers. Oldest whiskey distilleries in ireland to put on your must. Hotels near james distillery tour cork cork international hotel. Jul 22, 2015 midleton very rare is a bottling of hand selected whiskeys from the midleton warehouses that is only bottled in small amounts once or twice a year. There is a rich history behind some of the leading names in irish whiskey. The tour at the jameson distillery midleton explains the history of jameson whiskey and the distillery that operated there for 150 years. Midleton very rare is a premium irish whiskey, produced by irish distillers at the new midleton distillery, in the east cork town of midleton, from which it gets its name. In the early 1970s, they acquired old bushmills distillery, from then on controlling every drop of whiskey produced in the country. The present distillery at midleton was built in 1975.
West cork distillers, which owned the north mall and midleton distilleries, the latter the predecessor to idls new midleton distillery, had a combined capacity of 1. Midleton very rare silent distillery collection irish. Nov 04, 2019 fantastic tour around the jameson distillery and a great insight into the history of the brand. Irish distillers, the company behind jameson, has entered the podcast game, releasing a fivepart series called a story of irish whiskey. Dublin, april 09, 2018 irish distillers, irelands leading supplier of spirits and wines, and producer of the worlds most wellknown and successful irish whiskeys, today announced that jameson distillery bow st. The podcast also includes an interview with brothers tom and dennis savage, 82 and 87 years old, who worked in the cork distillery and fondly remember the breaks at 11am and 4pm for their daily grog. Jameson distillery middleton cork international hotel. The story of irish whiskey is presented through audiovisual displays, working models and authentic machinery. There are a range of guided experiences to enjoy, taking in both the exterior and interior features of the distillery grounds. Midleton whiskey is known for being very rare pot still whiskey, which means it is generated in batches and a claim to oldfashioned production techniques. Jameson distillery midleton the metropole hotel cork. Our irish whiskey family tagged midleton jameson irish. For over 200 years we called dublin home, but in 1975 we moved our ever expanding operation to the green expanses of midleton, co. Since 1988 irish distillers has formed part of group pernod ricard the french multinational drinks company.
There was space to build beside the old midleton distillery, which belonged to cork distillers, the third member of the idl partnership. The old midleton distillery, now a heritage centre, is located immediately to the southwest. Jan 05, 2018 west cork distillers, which owned the north mall and midleton distilleries, the latter the predecessor to idls new midleton distillery, had a combined capacity of 1. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about the process and the numerous brands being made on site. Whiskey production in the country went into decline, leaving only a few distilleries open. The irish distillers group have restored an 18th century distillery into the old midleton distillery and. The story of midleton very rare begins with unquestionable vision.
The new midleton distillery right beside the old one was opened in 1975 by irish distillers. There is a rich history behind some of the leading names in irish whiskey, according to irish distillers archivist carol quinn wed, nov 20, 2019, 10. Midleton very rare is a bottling of hand selected whiskeys from the midleton warehouses that is only bottled in small amounts once or twice a year. The move is part of an international trend whereby brands. You might not be familiar with the name, but irish distillers maker of jameson, powers, redbreast and more is an irish whiskey linchpin, and not just because its the countrys largest distiller. It is in the hub of east cork and perhaps is now most renowned for its distillery.
From what was a rise and fall of irish whiskey we now have a reemergence of that age old tradition of distillation and quality irish whiskey once again. When you visit the jamesons distillery, make sure to volunteer to become a certified jameson irish whiskey expert. And so, one september day in 1975, production stopped at the old facility and moved a few hundred yards to the new one. Book jameson distillery midleton jameson irish whiskey. Ten years later, the new midleton distillery opened in cork, where much of irish whiskey is now made. Midleton distillery is the centralised distillery for irish distillers, whom produce jameson, paddy, powers and the single pot still ranges such as redbreast and greenyellow spot. It operated as a private company until 1966 when it merged with the powers and jameson companies in ireland to form irish distillers ltd. We recently did the tour at the brewery in midleton.
Tours include a film, and walking tour, in which guests are guided through the old distillery, where they can admire the old kilns, mills, maltings, water wheel, still house, distillers cottage, cooperage. Owned and operated by pernod ricards irish distillers division, midleton produces the jameson range of whiskies as well as other pernod ricard owned irish. Midleton whiskey midleton distillery irish whiskey. Owned and operated by pernod ricards irish distillers division, midleton produces the jameson range of whiskies as well as other pernod ricard owned irish whiskey brands such as powers, paddy, greenspot and redbreast. Midleton very rare silent distillery collection chapter one. The whole tour is a fascinating historical look at the magic of distilling, of irish history and of the art of tasting. The behind the scenes tour at jameson distillery, midleton is for the whiskey connoisseurs. Midleton is one of the largest and most technically advanced distilleries in the world but is also proudly built on tradition and history. The home of irish whiskey, all major brands are produced there.
The irish whiskey association releases a strategy document for irish whiskey predicting growth of irish whiskey sales from 6. Midleton very rare vintage release 2017 irish whiskey. Apr 28, 2020 visit jameson distillery midleton and enjoy a host of unique experiences from a premium whiskey tasting to a workshop at our state of the art jameson irish whiskey academy. Midleton county cork discovering ireland vacations. John jameson forged his name making great whiskey but along the way he also earned quite the reputation for being a warm and generous host. Released every year in a limited quantity up to 50 casks, midleton very rare is hand selected by the master distiller and can contain a mix of. Jameson distillery midleton distillery walk, midleton, co.
In 1975 new midleton distillery was established, and the old distillery was turned into a visitor center. Once a year, master distiller, brian nation honours barrys vision by handpicking the. Most expensive irish whiskey for sale at 35k a bottle. Created in 1984 by master distiller emeritus barry crockett, midleton very rare is the ultimate expression of his art and expertise. Throughout the 1980s, head distiller barry crockett laid down single pot still stocks at a time when this signature style of whiskey wasnt selling, while operations manager brendan monks set about implementing a cask management programme thats seen in the companys recent releases, from the resurrection of green.
For 40 euros per person, you can book a tour of jameson midleton distillery with transport from cork and back included. Ten years later, the new midleton distillery opened in cork, where much of irish whiskey is. Midleton very rare silent distillery collection chapter one is the only release in this collection to have been created as a peated single malt. Owned and operated by pernod ricards irish distillers division, midleton produces the jameson range of whiskies as well as other pernod ricard owned irish whiskey brands such as powers, paddy, greenspot. Dating back to the 12th century, midleton was traditionally the main market town of the area. The grounds of the old midleton distillery also houses the official historical archives for the irish distillers whiskey labels in the.
Cork multiple tours each day number dependent on time of year. First a little history, midleton very rare is a relatively new blend, created in 1984 to celebrate the whiskeys produced at the new midleton distillery by the irish distillers group now part of the pernod ricard conglomerate. In 1966, cork distillers merged with jameson to become the irish distillers group. Powers irish whiskey, which is made by irish distillers in midleton distillery, has unveiled a bold new bottle design for its range of premium irish whiskeys. The old midleton distillery, which boasts the worlds largest pot still a copper vessel with a capacity of 140,000 litres, was in operation until 1975 when production was transferred to a new purpose built facility, the new.
Irish distillers, irelands leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of some of the worlds most wellknown and successful irish whiskeys, today donated the records from the power familys oylegate estate to wexford county archive. Irish whiskey through the ages walsh whiskey distillery. Jameson distillery midleton all you need to know before you. Cork west cork distillers doesnt operate standard tours, but tries to accommodate interested visitors. Jameson distillery midleton all you need to know before. The big move wasnt without risk, but the migration certainly paid dividends in the whiskey making department. Apr 30, 2014 less then ten years later, all but two were dissolved and bushmills and new midleton were left to represent a country that was once at the top of the worlds market. The irish distillers group have restored an 18th century distillery into the old midleton distillery and guided tours are available. The behind the scenes tour of the jameson distillery midleto. In 1966, john jameson merged his business with cork distillers and john powers, forming the umbrella irish distillers group. Back at midleton distillery, the virgin oak casks were filled with irish pot still whiskeys ranging in age from 26 years. Punishment book at jameson distillery midleton, ireland gastro. The board of the newly formed company decided to close their existing distilleries and consolidate all production at a.
The midleton distilleries complex is situated in midleton, county cork, ireland. The old midleton distillery began its life as a woolen mill before being converted to a distillery in 1825, by the murphy brothers, james, daniel and jeremiah. Jameson distillery punishment book and daily grog history. Located alongside is the old midleton distillery which was established in the early 17th century. Irish distillers unveils the latest chapter in the. Irish distillers pernod ricard cork 2020 all you need to. This midleton distillery is located in midleton, county cork. There has only been 48 bottles of this whiskey produced. The first new whiskey to be released as part of the midleton adventure was in 1984, and was rightly named after its distillery, a fitting tribute to the new unified front of irish distillers. Our new home provided the space we needed to stretch our legs and our whiskey making ambitions. Then in 1988 a french company by the name of pernod ricard took over the irish distillers and a resurgence was born. With a price tag of 35,000 yes you read that correctly.
The company had been formed after three smaller distilleries, jameson, powers and the cork distillery, banded together for the sake of survival and shifted all their individual production to the only location fit for proper expansion. The nearest houses to the site are located on the northwestern boundary behind the weighbridge control room. Located alongside is the old midleton distillery, which was established in the early 17th century and now operates as a visitor centre known as the jameson experience. In 1988, irish distillers was the subject of a friendly takeover by the french drinks conglomerate pernod ricard. The jameson experience, midleton is an irish whiskey museum and visitor centre located in the. Irish distillers pernod ricard cork 2020 all you need.
West cork distillers marsh road, skibbereen, west cork, co. Bow street and jameson distillery in midleton which hold so much of our history, to our. The distillery produces powers, paddy, midleton, redbreast, and others, including the independently sold rarity green spot but it is famously known for producing jameson the best selling irish whiskey in the world. The whiskey producers archives includes a historical list of infractions committed by and associated. Following two further years maturing in the irish oak, ogorman and leighton diligently checked the barrels each month until finally the pair felt the whiskey had the perfect balance of flavour, aroma and wood. And in 1999 the hot irishman ltd was created releasing into the market an award winning hot irishman irish coffee. Apr 28, 2020 visit jameson distillery midleton and enjoy a host of unique experiences from a premium whiskey tasting to a workshop at our state of the art jameson. Irish distillers is a subsidiary of the french drinks conglomerate pernod ricard. Cork, the midleton very rare silent distillery collection is a collection of six releases. The podcast also includes an interview with brothers tom and dennis savage, 82 and 87 years old, who worked in the cork distillery and fondly remember the breaks at. It was in ledgers, and books, and documents, underneath peoples desks, up on. The distillery in the quaint town of midleton, about 20km from cork city, was founded by the murphy brothers in the early 19th century. On this tour, one of our expert jameson ambassadors will guide you around some of our key buildings, such as the microdistillery, the cooperage, the maturation warehouse and a very special.
They formed the irish distillers group and moved production to a new stateoftheart plant in midleton, co. To avoid paying the tax many irish distillers began using a combination of malted and unmalted barley. The jameson experience, midleton tour explains the history of jameson whiskey and. Just two master distillers have had the privilege of preserving the legacy of the worlds most soughtafter irish whiskey. The whiskeys of irish distillers draw on a unique tradition from the great irish distilling houses of the 18th and 19th centuries. Irish distillers forwardthinking ethos is unrelenting to this day. The number of irish distilleries dwindled to just 5 by the the mid 1950s before, in order to survive, the remaining distillers in the republic of ireland jameson, powers and the cork distilleries company merged to form irish distillers ltd. Fantastic tour around the jameson distillery and a great insight into the history of the brand. The town itself is beautiful and soo nice really worth the visit when the farmers market is on. Less then ten years later, all but two were dissolved and bushmills and new midleton were left to represent a country that was once at the top of the worlds market. Without it, irelands national spirit wouldve been consigned to the history books.
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