Distillery
Midleton
Midleton is the production hub and the name associated with one of the most prestigious families of Irish whisky. Located in Midleton (County Cork), it produces high-end labels such as Midleton Very Rare and houses production for well-known brands like Jameson, Redbreast and expressions from The Spot range.
- Midleton · County Cork · Ireland
- Since 1825
- 3 products
The story
The distilling tradition in Midleton traces back to the Old Midleton Distillery, founded in 1825. During the 20th century local companies merged and, following the consolidation of the main Irish entities in 1966 to form Irish Distillers, production was concentrated at the modern Midleton site expanded in 1975. The Midleton Very Rare line was launched in 1984 and has become the house's flagship expression.
Production philosophy
The company philosophy combines tradition with artisanal selection: master distillers selectively choose and blend aged distillates to create premium expressions. The approach emphasizes historical heritage, the quality of casks and blending as key steps to achieve complexity and stylistic consistency.
Territory
Midleton, County Cork, Ireland. Local production and maturation with global distribution and presence in international markets, duty-free and selected retail channels.
Awards and recognition
Midleton Distillery named 'Most Awarded International Distillery' at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 (recognition granted to the distillery for medals won across its portfolio).
Production method
Production is based on single pot still and grain distillates, using large copper pot stills for traditional expressions and grain plants for cereal-based spirits. Oak casks are used for ageing; the Master Distiller and blending team carry out annual selections for special releases such as Midleton Very Rare.
Distillation
Distillation using pot stills for single pot still expressions and grain plants for cereal distillates; subsequent blending and assembly curated by the Master Distiller.
Ageing
Aging in oak casks; use and selection of prized casks for special releases (e.g. French oak Tronçais barrels for some limited editions).
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Midleton
- Categories
- Irish whisky
- premium whisky
- vintage collections
- single pot still
- blended whiskey
- Raw materials
- malted barley
- unmalted barley
- cereal grains for whisky
- Casks and ageing vessels
- French oak (Tronçais T5)
- oak casks (various types for aging and finishing)
- Representative products
- Midleton Very Rare
- Green Spot
- Yellow Spot 12 Year
- Jameson (produced at Midleton)
What makes it distinctive
- Production site and operational heart for major brands such as Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare and The Spot Whiskeys.
- Midleton Very Rare: a range of annual releases and high-end vintage collections.
- Celebration of 200 years of distilling tradition in 2025 and commitment to preserving the historical archive.
- Recognized as 'Most Awarded International Distillery' at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025 (award granted to the distillery for medals won across its portfolio).