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The first expression in the range, a 45 YO single malted was unveiled in February 2020. Now the second Chapter of Pernod Ricard’s Irish Distillers’ six-part series of its Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection has been launched and collectors will be a third of the way there to won Ireland’s oldest or, at least, ultra-aged whiskey collection.
No 2 is a 46-year-old single pot still Irish whiskey distilled in 1973 when single pot still Irish whiskey was virtually non-existent at the time the liquid for Chapter Two was laid in casks during the 1970s. Initially filled into a selection of Sherry and Bourbon casks and left for more than 20 years, the whiskey was then married and recasked into refill Bourbon casks under the supervision of master distiller Barry Crockett and his son Max.
After a few more years the ever-precious whiskey was later recasked into new Port pipes and left to rest. Finally, the liquid was moved into a refill Bourbon cask. The expression has been guided by several master distillers, including Brian Nation (2013 to 2020) and Kevin O’Gorman, who began in the role a year ago.
O’Gorman said: “Like the distillate itself, the maturation journey of this whiskey is both complex and rare. The craft of recasking requires incredible attention to detail and constant sensory assessment. When managed successfully it can produce an exquisite whiskey of great complexity.
The collection is inspired by nature’s elements – water, fire, earth, and wood. The packaging for Chapter Two pays homage to the role of water and the Dungourney River. Each succeeding release will reflect the element which most influenced its creation. The bottle comes in a hand-blown crystal decanter, produced by Ireland’s Waterford Crystal and contained in a cabinet using wood up to 200 years old from reclaimed oak whiskey vats, as well as elm and rare Japanese Tamo.
Only 70 bottles of whiskey are available, priced at RRP US$45,000/ €40,000/ £38,000 per bottle. It is available in Ireland, the UK, the US, France, and global travel retail.