Midleton Distillery Releases Its Oldest and Final Whiskey in the Silent Collection

In a momentous close to an extraordinary legacy, Midleton Distillery has released the final chapter of its most coveted whiskey series, a spirit that has matured for half a century.

Introducing Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six, the final expression from what is known as Ireland’s oldest and rarest whiskey collection, spanning five decades and the stewardship of four Master Distillers, this release marks the end of an era in Irish whiskey craftsmanship. Entrusted to current Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, he says, “This whiskey represents a confluence of history, tradition, and exceptional care. Distilled in Old Midleton’s rare single pot still style and aged for 50 years under the watchful eyes of my predecessors and myself, it has been nurtured with reverence at every step.”

The chapter is particularly poignant as it coincides with the 200th anniversary of the Old Midleton Distillery, a historic site that operated from 1825 until its closure in 1975, and Chapter Six is a very fitting tribute to the facility that’s known for producing world-renowned single pot still whiskeys. This release is also the last to feature spirit distilled by Master Distiller Emeritus Max Crockett, who’s regarded as the father of modern Irish whiskey, and then was under the guardianship of his son Barry Crockett, then Brian Nation, and finally, Kevin O’Gorman, each contributing to a legacy that spans generations.

The maturation process is as unique as the whiskey itself as it’s initially aged in ex-bourbon American oak casks, the spirit was later transferred into a one-of-a-kind barrel handcrafted by Master Cooper Ger Buckley. This bespoke cask, built from wood used in the previous Silent Collection releases, represents heritage and craftsmanship passed down through Buckley’s family, generation after generation. “Every stave holds a memory,” Buckley remarks. “This cask carries the story of the collection – and of my family’s long-standing connection to the distillery.”

On the palate, Chapter Six delivers a vibrant interplay of flavours, from bright, fresh fruits to the deep, earthy complexity of aged oak and hints of dried tobacco. According to O’Gorman, “Balancing freshness with the intensity of age is a rare achievement in a whiskey of this age. It’s not just a spirit – it’s history in a glass.”

To match the rarity of the liquid, each bottle is presented in a crystal decanter, hand-blown by the master artisans of Waterford Crystal. It sits within a meticulously crafted wooden cabinet by designer John Galvin – who, fittingly, grew up just miles from the distillery. The cabinet incorporates six rare wood types from earlier chapters, and for this final edition, is a beautiful blue bird’s eye maple with 18ct gold-plated detailing and hand-finished leatherwork making it ideal for all whiskey connoisseurs.

Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six is bottled at 53% ABV and is available in extremely limited quantities, priced at £55,000. It can be purchased exclusively at midletondistillerycollection.com.