To celebrate the highly anticipated release of Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six, an exclusive gala dinner was held at Midleton Distillery on Thursday, 10th of April and The Luxury Editor was honoured to be invited to join the celebrations.
During the evening, we had the rare privilege of chatting to Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, right in the heart of Midleton itself, a place where generations of whiskey makers have shaped one of the world’s most revered spirits. Chapter Six marks not only the culmination of a six-part series but also the closing chapter of the legendary Old Midleton Distillery, which operated from 1825 until 1975.
Kevin has dedicated over two decades to Irish Distillers, having started at Midleton in 1998 and rising through the ranks to become Master of Maturation in 2007 before taking on the mantle of Master Distiller in 2020. Few know the Midleton warehouses better than Kevin, and even fewer have shaped so many of the whiskeys that now define Irish excellence on the world stage.
This final release aged for 50 years and finished in a unique cask built from the staves of all five preceding chapters is both a technical and emotional feat. Crafted with the care of multiple generations and housed in an exquisitely designed decanter by the House of Waterford with a bespoke cabinet from John Galvin, Chapter Six represents the last precious drops from Old Midleton.
As the distillery celebrates its 200th anniversary, Kevin reflects on legacy, innovation, and the extraordinary journey that has brought Midleton Very Rare to this historic point.
Kevin, can you take us back to the moment you became Master Distiller at Midleton? What did that moment mean to you personally and professionally?
I was appointed Master Distiller in 2020. I was approached by Tommy Keane, our Operations Director, and honestly, it was a privilege and an honour. Sometimes, you have to pinch yourself. It didn’t take long for me to say yes though I did take a few hours to talk to my family. It was an incredible moment, one I’ll never forget.
You’ve worked alongside some inspiring figures like Barry Crockett and Brian Nation. How have they influenced your approach to distilling?
Barry was my first boss when I joined in 1998. I worked with him across every part of production fermentation, distillation you name it. He has meticulous attention to detail and a real passion for quality, and that’s something that’s stuck with me. Brian and I started around the same time, and we worked very closely he looked after distillation and I looked after maturation. We had great mutual respect and a lot of collaboration. Both men have had a lasting impact on me, professionally and personally.
What is it about Midleton that has kept you inspired all these years?
The people, first and foremost. From the day I started in ’98, I felt part of a team. Everyone at Midleton has this real passion for quality and the product it’s like playing on a great sports team. Then there’s the history and heritage. We’re celebrating 200 years this year, and I’m someone who loves history. It really influences the decisions I make. And of course, the brands Midleton Very Rare, Redbreast, Jameson there’s huge pride when you see them recognised around the world.
We are with you because tonight marks the release of Chapter Six of the Silent Distillery Collection. How does it feel to bring such a monumental project to a close?
It’s very emotional, bittersweet, really. There’s a little sadness because it marks the end of something very special. We’ve worked on this for five years now, and this is truly the final drop. There’s nothing hidden away. But there’s also pride tonight is a celebration, and I feel honoured to present Chapter Six and close the book, so to speak.
Can you tell us more about your collaboration with Master Cooper Ger Buckley on the one-of-a-kind cask?
Ger is an incredible craftsman and a dear friend. When we began planning Chapter Six, we thought: how can we bring all the chapters together symbolically? That’s when the idea came to take the staves and heads from the previous five chapters and build a single, unifying cask for the final release. Ger was absolutely delighted to take this on. He carefully selected the staves and constructed the cask with extraordinary care as every stave had history. It wasn’t just wood; it was a reflection of the entire Silent Distillery Collection. We only have three people capable of doing work at that scale, and what Ger achieved was remarkable. Once the cask was filled, we let it sit for about six months to marry, bringing all those elements together. It’s a part of this process that often goes unseen but is absolutely essential to achieving balance in the final whiskey.
The final presentation box is outstanding. Can you share more about how that came together?
Yes, the box is another incredible story. John Galvin has been with us since Chapter One and has created each of the beautiful cabinets in the series. This is the final one and you can feel the significance in every detail. John is based in Glasgow, and his workshop is world-class. His craftsmanship is just extraordinary. He’s taken elements of the woods used in each of the previous chapters – Japanese Tamo, Bog Oak, Lacewood, Burr Elm, and Burr Maple and brought them together in this final creation. And then he’s added something very rare: a piece of figured Maplewood, which is incredibly scarce. Only 0.1% of all maple trees exhibit that beautiful rippling effect. It’s finished with a distinctive blue-stained interior, crafted in Italy. The inside even contains a medallion made from the copper of the old Midleton stills so it links us right back to our origins. It’s a tribute to where we’ve been and where we’re going.
And the decanter itself is a work of art. What can you tell us about that piece?
It really is something special. The decanter was created in collaboration with the House of Waterford, who are known around the world for their exceptional crystal craftsmanship. Each piece is individually mouth-blown, hand-finished, etched, and polished by their specialist team in Ireland. There’s a level of refinement and artistry in each decanter that perfectly matches the quality of the whiskey it holds. It’s not just a vessel it’s part of the overall story, a reflection of Irish craft at its finest. The team at Waterford has helped us create something truly fitting for this final chapter.
Can you walk our readers through the sensory experience that Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six delivers?
Absolutely. First, just observing the colour, it’s a deep, dark mahogany, which you’d expect after decades of maturation. It’s cask strength, at 53%, so we’re tasting it straight from the cask. There’s some water on the table for those who prefer it with a splash, but I always recommend starting at cask strength to appreciate its full character. On the nose, it’s incredibly rich, think blackcurrants, dark cherries and blackberries. That fruitiness is rare for a whiskey of this age. Then you get the deeper, earthy notes, tobacco leaf, leather-bound books, polished oak. There are also warm spice notes like ginger and hints of dark chocolate and vanilla. It’s incredibly complex. A whiskey like this rewards you for going back again and again, it unfolds differently each time. After 50 years, the interaction with the cask has created something truly extraordinary.
With such a strong lineage of Master Distillers behind you, did you feel any pressure when shaping this final chapter?
I wouldn’t say pressure, but I was certainly aware of the legacy of Max Crockett, Barry, and Brian. You do wonder, “What would Max think?” I hope he would be proud of what we’ve achieved.
How would you describe the Silent Distillery Collection in just three words?
Historic, because it’s the oldest Irish whiskey collection ever and the last drops from the old distillery. Precious, like liquid gold, we were incredibly careful at every stage. And Crafted, because it represents the pinnacle of skill and tradition at Midleton.
How does Chapter Six reflect Midleton’s 200-year milestone in 2025?
It encapsulates everything Midleton stands for. It’s a single pot still whiskey that both old and new Midleton are famous for. It marks the end of the old distillery and symbolises the journey into the future. For me, it’s a tribute to everyone involved over the years past and present.
What do you hope collectors and whiskey lovers take away from this whiskey?
Enjoyment, above all. A sense of history, craft, and appreciation. To taste a whiskey of this age and quality is rare. I just hope they savour every drop.
Looking to the future, what excites you most about the next chapter for Midleton Very Rare?
With the Silent Distillery Collection complete, we’re now working on showcasing the best of the new distillery using stock laid down since 1975. There’s lots of innovation ahead, like the Barry Crockett Legacy, the Irish Oak series, and the new Forêt de Tronçais. Some of what we’re working on now will be for the next generation, but that’s part of the legacy laying the groundwork for the future.
And finally, if you could leave a message for the next Master Distiller shaping Midleton in 50 years, what would it be?
Keep laying down stock for future generations as time moves fast. Maintain the commitment to quality and craft. And continue the culture of mentoring and passing on knowledge. This legacy is like a relay race you receive the baton and pass it on in even better condition.
