Midleton Very Rare 2026 is the latest annual release of Ireland's most collected blended Irish whiskey, bottled at 700mL. Expect a polished, fruit-forward style with the soft weight and clean grain sweetness that marks the Midleton house character.

The nose leads with orchard fruit — ripe pear, baked apple and a touch of apricot — alongside vanilla cream, honeycomb and a faint dusting of cinnamon. Air brings out something floral and green, almost like cut hay, with a nutty, biscuity note sitting underneath.

On the palate it is round and gently oily, with poached fruit and butterscotch up front before a spicier middle of clove, white pepper and toasted grain. The texture is silky rather than rich, and the finish is long and warming, drying slowly through vanilla and a whisper of liquorice. Balance is the point here: nothing shouts, and every element has room to speak.

Serve neat in a tulip glass at room temperature, with a few drops of water if you want the fruit to lift further. Ice does it no favours. Match it with aged cheddar, roasted nuts, or a dark chocolate tart after dinner. Drinking beautifully on release and stable for years in an unopened bottle, though once opened it is best enjoyed within six to twelve months.