Midleton Unveils 48

Aug 17, 2023

The latest luxe spirit in the "Silent Distillery" collection.

Midleton just has a knack for making some of the world's oldest and most rare whiskey, but even those lofty goals are getting difficult to top. Yet not to be outdone, Midleton's latest ultra-aged Irish whiskey harkens back nearly five decades, and it's quite literally a taste of history.

The $55,000 whiskey, hailing from Midleton's Silent Distillery Collection, makes use of exceedingly rare liquid distilled at the original Old Midleton Distillery, which is still standing and yet was replaced in the 1970s with Midleton's current facility.

It's the fourth chapter in the Silent Distillery Collection, with the sixth and final chapter set to be released in 2025 (Midleton's 200th anniversary).

Most whiskey from the old distillery is long gone, but as Midleton tells it, this particular expression was "undisturbed but not forgotten," truly a "whiskey waiting for its moment."

The 48-year-old whiskey brings together separate expressions of grain and pot still whiskey, first distilled in 1973.

The final result was blended under the watchful eye of Midleton Very Rare Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, with both whiskies coming together in a 48-day, ex-bourbon barrel finishing process.

How exactly does such a remarkable whiskey taste? Midleton notes that it boasts aroma notes of vanilla scented-cream and coffee cake, with earthy cedarwood notes.

On the palate, look for notes of peach, dried apricot and plum, with soft spice and stone fruit notes on the finish.

Accordingly, each bottle is a work of art unto itself, featuring a handcrafted glass decanter from Ireland's House of Waterford.

From there, the astonishing spirit is housed in a bespoke wooden cabinet that blends "fine craftsmanship and precision engineering."

For good measure, the flecked red and brown lacewood "conjures up images of barley fields and so recalls the natural bounty that is at the heart of our whiskey," Midleton notes.

Such a remarkable whiskey isn't going to be easy to come by, but those interested can sign up via Midleton's Silent Distillery Web portal to register said interest.

Midleton has just raised the bar once again in the world of super-rare whiskey, and there's no telling where its next spirit might be discovered.