If you’re a whiskey enthusiast, you’re probably familiar with Jameson, one of the most well-known Irish whiskeys. But if you’re looking to try something truly exceptional, let me introduce you to Midleton Very Rare. This ultra-premium blended whiskey, made at the same distillery as Jameson, is truly in a league of its own.

The latest release, Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais, takes whiskey aging to a whole new level. Distiller Kevin O’Gorman embarked on a trip to France in 2017 in search of a unique type of wood for aging Irish whiskey. That’s when he discovered the T5 cask, made from oak sourced from the Tronçais forest in central France.

Crafted by the esteemed Taransaud cooperage, known for producing barrels for the French wine and Cognac industries, the T5 barrel is built from fine-grain wood that is aged in the open air for five years. This meticulous process infuses intense flavor, aroma, and tannins into any wine or spirit matured in these casks.

The Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais is a blend of single pot still and single grain whiskey distilled from the 1980s to the 2000s. After being matured for several decades in American oak ex-bourbon barrels, it is then finished in T5 barrels for an additional three years. This secondary maturation period adds depth and complexity to the whiskey.

Official tasting notes describe the Forêt de Tronçais as having herbal undertones, accompanied by orchard fruits and hints of orange. The French oak tannins mingle with flavors of chocolate honeycomb, vanilla, and a touch of wood spice. The finish is long and bursting with fruitiness.

Of course, a whiskey of this caliber deserves exceptional packaging. The Forêt de Tronçais comes in a striking blue bottle inspired by the orchid on the Midleton logo. The bottle is housed in a cabinet crafted by French woodmakers Manufacture Jacquemin, using wood harvested from the Tronçais forest itself.

Bottled at 48 percent ABV, the Midleton Very Rare Forêt de Tronçais is now available in select countries, including the United States and Ireland, as well as global travel retail. The suggested retail price is $5,000, truly reflecting the whiskey’s exclusivity and unparalleled craftsmanship.

If you’re interested in getting your hands on a bottle, you can check the Midleton Very Rare website for availability. Additionally, past vintages of Midleton Very Rare can still be purchased from trusted online retailers like ReserveBar and Wine.com.

So, if you’re a whiskey connoisseur looking to elevate your tasting experience, I highly recommend exploring the world of Midleton Very Rare. It’s a whiskey that embodies the artistry and passion behind Ireland’s finest spirits. Cheers!