{"product_id":"midleton-very-rare-vintage-release-2008-irish-whiskey-750ml","title":"Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release 2008 Irish Whiskey 750ml","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe 2008 vintage of Midleton Very Rare — Ireland's flagship annual release, built from hand-selected pot still and grain whiskeys under Master Distiller Barry Crockett.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMidleton Very Rare has been issued once a year since 1984, with each vintage selected personally by the Master Distiller and bottled under his signature. Barry Crockett held that role for the better part of three decades, and the vintages released during his tenure are the ones collectors build verticals around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend combines single pot still whiskey — the Irish style made from malted and unmalted barley in a copper pot still — with lighter grain whiskey, married and bottled at 40% ABV. That comparatively gentle strength is deliberate: Very Rare is built for texture and layering rather than power, and the silkiness is the point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProduced at Midleton Distillery in County Cork. No age statement, in keeping with the series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cedar, roasted coffee and vanilla meeting cinnamon and nutmeg, with pear, citrus and floral honey against charred oak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silky entry — vanilla custard and caramelized brown sugar, then delicate fruit and milk chocolate fudge, with gentle spice and mellow wood tannins.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich and rounded, fading fruit and warming spice leaving mature oak behind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Midleton Very Rare\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2008 vintage\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blended Irish Whiskey — pot still and grain\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Midleton Distillery, County Cork, Ireland\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaster Distiller:\u003c\/strong\u003e Barry Crockett\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProof:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80 (40% ABV)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge:\u003c\/strong\u003e No age statement\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/midleton\"\u003eMidleton collection\u003c\/a\u003e, browse \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/irish-whiskey\"\u003eIrish whiskey at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e, or see everything in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/from-the-vault\"\u003eFrom The Vault\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes Midleton Very Rare different each year?\u003c\/strong\u003e It's a vintage series. The Master Distiller selects a fresh set of casks annually and signs the bottle, so no two years are the same whiskey — which is why collectors chase specific vintages rather than the label in general.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWho is Barry Crockett?\u003c\/strong\u003e Midleton's Master Distiller for close to thirty years, born on the distillery grounds and responsible for the Very Rare selections through the bulk of the series' history. Vintages bearing his signature mark a defined era of the brand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhy only 40% ABV?\u003c\/strong\u003e Very Rare is built around texture and integration rather than intensity. Irish pot still whiskey carries a naturally oily weight, and bottling at 40% keeps the blend silky and layered rather than hot — a deliberate stylistic choice, not a shortcut.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What makes Midleton Very Rare different each year?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"It's a vintage series. The Master Distiller selects a fresh set of casks annually and signs the bottle, so no two years are the same whiskey, which is why collectors chase specific vintages rather than the label in general.\" } },\n    { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Who is Barry Crockett?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Midleton's Master Distiller for close to thirty years, born on the distillery grounds and responsible for the Very Rare selections through the bulk of the series' history. Vintages bearing his signature mark a defined era of the brand.\" } },\n    { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Why only 40% ABV?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Very Rare is built around texture and integration rather than intensity. Irish pot still whiskey carries a naturally oily weight, and bottling at 40% keeps the blend silky and layered rather than hot, a deliberate stylistic choice.\" } }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Midleton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54310151618928,"sku":"Scott","price":2379.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0276\/1621\/5176\/files\/Photoroom_20260907_031535.jpg?v=1789423442","url":"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/products\/midleton-very-rare-vintage-release-2008-irish-whiskey-750ml","provider":"Wooden Cork","version":"1.0","type":"link"}