Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers has released the 2013 edition of its Midleton Very Rare Irish whiskey.
The latest edition of the blend will be the final expression to feature the signature of former master distiller Barry Crockett, who retired earlier this year after 47 years at the Midleton distillery in Cork.
Midleton Very Rare 2013 contains whiskies aged between 15 and 24 years. Irish Distillers' global innovation and category development director, Brendan Buckley, said the range is "regarded as one of the ultimate expressions of the Irish whiskey category".
Crockett said that there are slight variances in taste from year to year with the Very Rare range, because it is hand crafted. The 2013, he said, is characterised by soft ripe fruits, spice and a long finish.
Midleton Very Rare is part of Irish Distillers' efforts to operate at the premium and luxury end of the whiskey category, as a way of building on the mainstream success of Jameson.
The 2013 release is targeted at connoisseurs and collectors. It carries a recommended retail price of US$125 per 70cl bottle.