{"product_id":"midleton-very-rare-vintage-release-2020","title":"Midleton Very Rare Vintage Release 2020","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe 37th edition. Brian Nation's final selection as Master Distiller at Midleton. A blend of the finest single pot still and grain Irish whiskeys, aged between 13 and 35 years.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eMidleton Very Rare has been released once per year, every year, since 1984. Each vintage is assembled by the Master Distiller from the finest pot still and grain whiskeys in Midleton's warehouses — casks too exceptional for the standard blended lineup. The 2020 marks the 37th edition of this series and carries additional historical significance: it was the final selection by Brian Nation, who served as Master Distiller at Midleton from 2013 to 2021.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eNation's 2020 reflects a higher pot still inclusion than some recent editions and an increased use of refill barrels, which allows the natural character of the whiskeys to express themselves more directly without the dominant wood influence of first-fill casks. The components range from 13 to 35 years old — a breadth of maturation that produces the layered complexity the series is known for. Each bottle is numbered and signed, certifying this as a specific, documented vintage that cannot be reproduced.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAppearance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm golden amber.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cane sugar and vanilla, pepper and nutmeg spices, sweet orchard fruits, white chocolate fudge, and polished antique wood notes.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tangy fruit sweetness with orange peel and sweet pear, pot still spices, mild chili oil, and a constant background of charred oak.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Satisfyingly long — fruits slowly fade as oak and spices linger in a warm, elegant close.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eSpecs\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eDistillery:\u003c\/strong\u003e Midleton, County Cork, Ireland\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blended Irish Whiskey (pot still and grain)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eComponents:\u003c\/strong\u003e Single pot still and grain whiskeys, aged 13–35 years\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMaster Distiller:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brian Nation (final selection)\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750ml\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRelease:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2020 Vintage — 37th Edition\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Numbered, signed certificate of authenticity\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cp\u003eExplore the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/midleton\"\u003eMidleton collection\u003c\/a\u003e or browse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/woodencork.com\/collections\/irish-whiskey\"\u003eIrish whiskey at Wooden Cork\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e \u003cul\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhy is the 2020 historically significant?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 2020 was Brian Nation's final selection as Master Distiller at Midleton before his departure in 2021. For collectors building a complete Midleton Very Rare vertical, the 2020 marks the end of Nation's tenure — making it one of the more significant transition vintages in the series' 37-year history.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHow does the 2020 compare to the 2019?\u003c\/strong\u003e The 2019 was Nation's penultimate selection. The 2020 reflects a higher pot still inclusion and greater use of refill barrels — producing a more direct expression of the whiskeys' natural character. Flavor differences between consecutive vintages reflect the specific casks that peaked each year.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat is Irish pot still whiskey?\u003c\/strong\u003e Irish pot still whiskey is made from a mash of both malted and unmalted barley distilled in traditional copper pot stills — a style unique to Ireland. It produces a creamy, spicy character distinct from Scotch single malt or grain whiskey. Midleton Very Rare blends pot still spirit with aged grain whiskey for its characteristic profile.\u003c\/li\u003e   \u003cli\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eIs the 2020 Midleton Very Rare still available?\u003c\/strong\u003e In limited quantities. Each annual edition is produced in limited numbers and not restocked. As a final Brian Nation vintage, the 2020 carries additional collector significance.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e  \u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e {   \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",   \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",   \"mainEntity\": [     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Why is the 2020 historically significant?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 2020 was Brian Nation's final selection as Master Distiller before his departure in 2021. It marks the end of Nation's tenure \\u2014 one of the more significant transition vintages in the series' 37-year history.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How does the 2020 compare to the 2019?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 2020 reflects a higher pot still inclusion and greater use of refill barrels, producing a more direct expression of the whiskeys' natural character.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is Irish pot still whiskey?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Irish pot still whiskey is made from malted and unmalted barley in traditional copper pot stills \\u2014 a style unique to Ireland producing a creamy, spicy character.\" } },     { \"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the 2020 Midleton Very Rare still available?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"In limited quantities. Each annual edition is not restocked. As Brian Nation's final vintage, the 2020 carries additional collector significance.\" } }   ] } \u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Midleton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42904214962247,"sku":"Scott","price":1249.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/0640\/2375\/files\/vintage-release.jpg?v=1782423267","url":"https:\/\/bourbonnest.com\/products\/midleton-very-rare-vintage-release-2020","provider":"Bourbon Nest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}