Midleton adds to Dair Ghaelach series

by Melita Kiely

Irish Distillers has released the fourth whiskey in the Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach collection, which was finished in casks made from trees grown in Kylebeg Wood.

The casks used to age Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood single pot still Irish whiskey were made from trees grown on the Ballykilcavan Estate near Stradbally in County Laois, Ireland. Seven trees from the estate were felled to make virgin Irish oak hogsheads for this particular release. Kevin O’Gorman, master distiller, said: “With each bottling traceable to a single tree, Midleton Very Rare Kylebeg Wood offers a range of seven whiskeys bottled at cask strengths ranging from 55.4%-56.1% ABV, all with the hallmark inspiration of fragrant woodland spices and a heightened intensity of rich wood tannins that allow the influence of the Irish oak to linger on the palate until the very end. “Irish Distillers’ partnership with Kylebeg Wood is the ultimate example of how we are collaborating with Ireland’s forestry custodians to marry sustainable Irish oak with the highest standards in forestry practice and conservation, with some of the finest craftsmanship to be found anywhere in the world of whiskey.” Tasting notes include aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, aromatic oils, zesty fruit and dairy fudge. The palate brings pot still spices, caramel, stewed apples, dark chocolate, honeycomb and vanilla. The finish is described as ‘delightfully long’ with lingering Irish oak. Midleton Very Rare Dair Ghaelach Kylebeg Wood is available now, priced at €310 (US$348) per 700ml bottle. O’Gorman explained more about the wood selection for this release: “Once harvested from Kylebeg Wood, the resulting oak logs were separately packed and shipped to the Spanish region of Galicia and the Maderbar Sawmills in Barralia where, for more than 50 years, the same family has been working with wood. “Here the oak was cut, using the time-honoured craft of quarter sawing before the resulting stave wood made the 10-hour journey from the sawmills to the Antonio Paez Lobato cooperage in Jerez, where they were laid out to dry naturally in the warmth of the Spanish sun. “It took 15 more months before these oak staves were ready to create 42 of the most special casks to be found anywhere in the world. Each was then given a light toast to my own specifications before returning from Spain to be filled with a specially selected range of our finest single pot still whiskeys, previously matured in American oak barrels for between 13 to 25 years.”