Hunting for a St. Patrick's Day Unicorn? Save $150 on Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy
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For more than 25 years, I struggled to understand Irish whiskey. How could something so popular in the 1800s nearly disappear in the 20th century?
I got to the bottom of it while working on my new book, The Whiskey Bible. The short answer: A difference of opinion. Up until the mid-1800s, almost all whiskey was made in a bulbous pot still. While stills produce liquor with a complex flavor profile, they’re highly inefficient. The column still, on the other hand—which became popular in the second half of the 19th century—is extremely efficient. Unlike in Scotland and in the U.S., distillers in Ireland refused to adopt this new technology. Instead, they continued to make whiskey in a pot still from either malted or a combination of unmalted and malted barley.
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While their stance was admirable, innovative Scotch distillers combined their pot still whisky with so-called grain whisky made in column stills to create blended Scotch, which became an international best seller. Right before completely disappearing, Irish distillers finally caved and began making their own blended whiskey, which fortunately became a huge hit in the 21st century and saved the country’s industry.
Now, most Irish pot still whiskey goes into blends, like Jameson. But a few brands still release 100 percent pot still whiskey, including Midleton Very Rare. The brand is the gold standard for Irish whiskey and is sought after by imbibers and collectors alike. In 2011, to honor its long-serving master distiller, Barry Crocket, the brand introduced an eponymous whiskey in his honor.
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The Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy is made from malted and unmalted barley and distilled three times in pot stills. It's a combination of whiskey aged in American oak barrels that previously held bourbon and whiskey aged in new American oak barrels. Some of the barrels are aged for up to 18 years. After a taste of rich and complex whiskey you’ll understand why Irish distillers were so reluctant to stop making single pot still whiskey.
Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or just looking for a new whiskey, pick up a bottle of Midleton Very Rare Barry Crockett Legacy. Sláinte!