Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey has announced the release of their 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition NFT. The first bottle, with an 18-carat solid gold neck and stopper, with 32 identical quality rubies on the collar, will be available through BlockBar with a reserve price of $60,000. The bottle purchase also includes an experience for two with a VIP distillery visit, a night at Castlemartyr resort (never seen by the public), rare Irish whiskey tastings, and a special tasting of the MVR 40th Anniversary release in the Midleton Distillery Cottage.
Other specialty retailers will carry $20,000 bottles of the 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition.
The Midleton Very Rare blend is released annually. The master distiller, Kevin O’Gorman, blends grain and pot-still whiskey to be aged in ex-bourbon barrels.
O’Gorman broke with tradition this year for the Ruby Edition and selected three barrels of previous Very Rare releases, including one from previous master distillers Brian Nation and Barry Crockett, and his own first release. (Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett created Midleton Very Rare in 1984.) This was then aged for 9 months in port casks. Very apropos considering the ruby anniversary.
40th Anniversary Ruby Edition MVR
ABV: 53.1%
Age: 6 years
Aroma: A burst of berry fruits, with aromatic spices, vanilla, citrus peel, and honeycomb.
Taste: Succulent fruits, fresh ginger, clove, nutmeg, cassis, and dark chocolate.
Finish: Luxuriously long. Fruits and spices linger on the tongue.
"Rubies signify a 40th anniversary and are considered the gem of passion, something that feels so apt with the passion that shines through from the master distillers and all those involved in the creation of Midleton Very Rare."
As part of the sale, a donation will be made to The Forest Genetic Resources Trust, partners of the Midleton Very Rare team at Irish Distillers. The Forest Genetic Resources Trust supports the conservation, improvement, and use of native and naturalized tree species in Irish forestry.
Midleton Distillery is also home to Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, and Green Spot.
ABV: 40%
Aroma: Vanilla and herbal notes with apple, pear, cinnamon, clove, toffee and heather honey.
Taste: Luscious tropical fruit, decadent creme brulee, honeycomb, floral grain, and toffee apple.
Finish: Fruits and American oak linger on the palate.
“The ruby is often described as the ‘gem of gems’. It’s a precious stone that signifies the 40th anniversary, and for the team at Midleton Very Rare, it felt like the perfect embodiment of our journey so far”
This is the 40th Anniversary Ruby Edition bottle that is available through specialty retailers. It is the same 53.1% blend that comes in the NFT bottle.
It is not adorned like the NFT bottle, and is priced at $20,000
