Midleton Very Rare - Does the "vintage" matter?

[tanstaafl2]

I recently purchased a bottle of the 2012 Midleton VR which I quite like (I am a fan of Irish Whiskey in general and this was an impulse buy in duty free coming back from London). I noted my favorite liquor store here at home has a dusty bottle of the 2011 sitting on the shelf for less than I paid at duty Free at Heathrow I might add. That is what I get for not doing my homework). I presume this is made to have a reasonably similar profile from year to year but no doubt the year it is made creates some small differences.

Tried to find a site that might provide some insight about the difference, if any, from year to year but not having much luck. I found some discussion focusing a bit on some vintages from the 90's but not sure if that is just because it is getting rare or if the "experts" feel there are some years that are truly better. Not that I am going to go looking for one of the older vintages given the increased cost for an already spendy bottle!

But I was curious if there was anyone here with some knowledge on the subject or a site that might discuss this and if there is enough difference in more recent years to go looking for one vintage versus another.

[MarkEdwards]

I've been buying it since the 2007 release, and have not found serious differences between the years. From 2007 through 2012, they are all exceptional.

[JohnHansell]

I've tasted every vintage back to the 2000 release. They are all very similar, but not identical. The differences in the most recent releases are not enough (IMHO) to make you want to worry about vintage. Cheers!

[tanstaafl2]

Thanks to both of you for your insight! I may still go get that 2011 just for my own curiosity (and because the price seems right) since I like the 2012 quite a bit. It is reassuring to know that it should be of a similar exceptional quality.

My focus lately has been more on the single pot stills than the blends so I am still hoping to track down a Yellow Spot at some point. Haven't been able to bring myself to pull the trigger on a Barry Crockett Legacy especially since it seems like a lot of people feel the Powers John's Lane is about as good at one third the price.

I noticed that Dominic had that opinion on your blog John. Did you feel the same?

[Gillman]

I agree with John although I have tasted fewer of these than he. I always felt this release was overrated.

Gary

[tanstaafl2]

I agree with John although I have tasted fewer of these than he. I always felt this release was overrated.

Gary

I presume you mean the Midleton Very Rare in general is overrated. In what way did you find it overrated? Just not of sufficient quality to be able to justify the price? Or you didn't care for it at all?

I personally would always prefer a higher proof and NCF if I can get it but the recent releases of higher proof have been out of my reach to this point.

[JohnHansell]

My focus lately has been more on the single pot stills than the blends so I am still hoping to track down a Yellow Spot at some point. Haven't been able to bring myself to pull the trigger on a Barry Crockett Legacy especially since it seems like a lot of people feel the Powers John's Lane is about as good at one third the price.

I noticed that Dominic had that opinion on your blog John. Did you feel the same?

Both are nice, just different. (But you can't go wrong with the Powers Johns Lane.) The Barry Crocket Legacy is being introduced to the US this fall. And yes, get a bottle of Yellow Spot if you can. My bottle didn't last long.

[Gillman]

My issue with them is that I get a kind of tang, grain whisky-like, which denotes a typical blend. I don't know what proportion of grain whisky is used, but I would prefer the single pot still to have a greater say especially for the price.

Gary

[tanstaafl2]

My issue with them is that I get a kind of tang, grain whisky-like, which denotes a typical blend. I don't know what proportion of grain whisky is used, but I would prefer the single pot still to have a greater say especially for the price.

Gary

Having had access to just blends for the most part for so long I guess I am used to the grain characeristics and would be surprised if they weren't there. Having finally gotten bottles of Green Spot and PJL to go along with the Redbreast options I do find that I prefer SPS as a general rule. That said the Midleton VR seems to have quite a bit of pot still character to it, at least for me.

Both are nice, just different. (But you can't go wrong with the Powers Johns Lane.) The Barry Crocket Legacy is being introduced to the US this fall. And yes, get a bottle of Yellow Spot if you can. My bottle didn't last long.

Interesting to hear that the Legacy is coming to the US this fall. Although if it is still up around $175-$185 a bottle it will remain a tough sale for me. Rumor mill has been saying Green Spot and PJL might show up some time next year as well. I can only hope it will as my PJL isn't likely to last much longer!

Inability to find Yellow Spot in London recently was perhaps the only disappointment of my recent trip to London and I don't expect to be passing through Dublin anytime soon. But I haven't given up yet!

[Jono]

My brother in law and I finished what was left of a bottle of Midelton Very Rare 2010 at Keegan's Irish Pub in Minneapolis, MN. It was very tasty and we really enjoyed it. We also had some of the Bushmills 21, and while good - it retains that Black Bush profile, we preferred the Midleton's.

[tmckenzie]

My issue with them is that I get a kind of tang, grain whisky-like, which denotes a typical blend. I don't know what proportion of grain whisky is used, but I would prefer the single pot still to have a greater say especially for the price.

Gary

[Gillman]

Tom, no, it's the relatively neutral part of the palate, the grain whiskey, I was referring to.

Gary

[Jono]

The 2010 version has the (to my palate at least) sherry cask. I read that different expression years are either sherry or bourbon cask aged.