Five years on, the Silent Distillery series ended as it began—with the first Irish whiskey to reach an age statement of 50 years. Not only does it mark the completion of an extraordinary collection, but also the end of an era, as Chapter Six is made with the final drops from the Old Midleton Distillery.
Old Midleton shut its doors in 1975. Production moved to its current site next door, and the old site now serves as a visitors’ center for Jameson (part of Midleton’s owning company Irish Distillers). According to the brand, Silent Distillery Chapter Six is the last of the Old Midleton whiskey—the final relic of a bygone era.
The whiskey was distilled under the watchful eye of master distiller Max Crockett and was later nurtured by his son and successor, Barry Crockett. Together, they are seen as patriarchs of modern pot still whiskey, and anything bearing their mark carries a premium.
With fewer than 250 bottles available, the significance of Chapter Six adds up to a premium price of $60,000 each. If you want all six releases, you should expect to pay somewhere in the region of $300,000.
While the final instalment will inevitably take the plaudits as the oldest (and most expensive) in the series, it honors the previous five uniquely. After spending most of its life in a refill ex-bourbon cask, it was transferred into a custom-built barrel created with wood from the five previous Silent Distillery releases.
The time spent inside this novel cask was short, and the impact on the final liquid would have been minimal, yet it adds a satisfying sense of closure to the series by intrinsically tying each release together. The presentation case follows in the same footsteps, using material from the previous releases with the addition of a striking blue bird’s eye maple.
Current Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman said: “Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six is a whiskey whose excellence is shaped by so many extraordinary factors. From the characteristics of the now incredibly rare single pot still distillate style created back in Old Midleton, to the 50-year maturation process under the care of my predecessors and me, to a one-of-a-kind final marrying, this whiskey has been looked after like no other.”
Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter Six: Tasting Notes
ABV: 53%
Nose: Opens with sweet notes of barley and honey, not unlike a sweetened bowl of cereal. Fruity notes appear with orange peel, burnt pineapple and the slight sharpness of rhubarb. The age is also in there, with worn leather and antique oak prevalent in the background.
Taste: An oily texture that coats the mouth almost instantly. The fruit and sweetness are more muted on the palate with the aged notes taking center stage. The oiliness offsets any dryness, though, so it’s all in harmony. Dark chocolate and oak spice then give way to whips of floral notes and stone fruits.
Finish: A long finish where that tantalizing sweetness finally comes back around. The oily texture coats the mouth in such a way that it keeps evolving over several minutes. Banana, mango and ginger make for a luscious conclusion. The age is always there, but never overpowers. This is a whiskey that has been closely watched, taken to the edge of the flavor dials and executed perfectly.
Score: 8.2/10
– 10 A unicorn: Spend whatever it takes
– 8.5–9.5 Top shelf: Impress your fellow collectors
– 7–8: Great: Buy two bottles – one to drink, one to keep
– 5.5–6.5: Very good: Keep it on the shelf – a good daily drinker
– 5: Not bad: There’s better out there for the same money
– Below 5 – Disappointing
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Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Chapter Six is available globally for an SRP of €60,000 / $60,000, midletonveryrare.com