Before it became a bottle, this whiskey was a story of trees. In Cappoquin, County Waterford, six chestnut trees supplied the wood for an experiment by Midleton. The result, unveiled on 8 October 2026, has a name: Midleton Very Rare Irish Chestnut Edition. For travellers curious about what lies behind the labels, this new release offers a window onto the landscapes and crafts that shape Irish spirits.
From Waterford to Midleton’s warehouses
Irish wood at the heart of the experiment
According to the official Midleton product page, the wood comes from the Cappoquin estate. The staves intended for the casks were air-dried for two years before being lightly toasted and assembled. This edition launches the Rare Wood Collection, dedicated to exploring unusual woods.
The brand claims a world first for a whiskey finished in Irish chestnut casks. That claim remains the producer’s own. What makes the story compelling is its specificity: identifiable wood, estate and coopering work.
Five additional years in chestnut casks
The selected whiskeys had first spent between twelve and nineteen years in American oak bourbon casks. This was followed by five years of finishing in contact with chestnut. The blend therefore brings together Single Pot Still whiskeys aged between seventeen and twenty-four years, bottled at natural cask strength and without chill filtration.
This timeline gives a sense of the scale of the project. Here, finishing is not simply a final stage lasting a few weeks: it extends an already lengthy maturation. Behind the announcement of a new release lie, above all, years of waiting.
A rare edition to consider beyond its price
What we know about the bottle
In its article published on 8 October 2026, The Whiskey Wash reports an ABV of 56.1% and a recommended retail price of €440. The publication notes that the wood was processed in Spain and that the project began in 2017. The Irish origin of the chestnut does not therefore mean that every stage of cask production took place on the island.
The stated price is a launch reference point, not a guarantee of availability from a retailer. Before buying, it is best to check stock, the final price and delivery arrangements. The release of this edition also does not mean it will be available as part of a tourist tasting.
Aromas described by the producer
Midleton describes a profile combining fruit, caramel, spice and nutty notes. These are the brand’s own indications, rather than the conclusions of an independent tasting conducted for this article. They convey an aromatic intention; each taster’s experience may differ.
Discovering Midleton on a trip to County Cork
A visit to understand the craft behind the whiskey
You do not need to buy this bottle to take an interest in its story. The Midleton Distillery Experience offers guided tours with tastings, along with a range of whiskey-focused experiences. The official website recommends booking in advance; the shop, bar and café can be accessed without an admission ticket.
When planning your visit, choose the experience according to what you would like to understand: the history of the place, the production process or the tasting. Check the options and their terms when booking. If your interest is specifically in the Irish Chestnut Edition, ask for confirmation rather than assuming that a distillery visit includes a tasting of this expression.
Information checked on 9 October 2026. The lead photograph is a Midleton archive image taken in 2017; it does not show the casks identified for this new edition.
