Midleton

Introduction:

That’s a comprehensive overview of the different types of Irish whiskey produced at the Midleton Distillery in Cork. The distillery is known for its production of single pot still whiskeys, which are unique to Ireland and made using a combination of malted and unmalted barley in the triple pot still procedure. Whiskey enthusiasts appreciate the purity, smoothness, and fruitiness of single pot still whiskeys such as Redbreast, Midleton, Powers, and Green Spot.

Redbreast 12 Years and Redbreast 15 Years, aged in bourbon and sherry casks, are particularly popular examples of single pot still whiskeys, known for their rounded fruit aromas, spice, and oak notes, as well as a rich, long-  lasting finish.

In addition to single pot still whiskeys, Midleton Distillery also produces Irish blended whiskeys, which have a blend of pot still whiskey and grain whiskey distilled in column stills. These blended whiskeys are known for their fine, spicy, and incredibly smooth character, contributing to the overall popularity of Irish whiskey among whisky connoisseurs seeking a mild and smooth drink.

The flagship whiskey of Midleton Distillery is undoubtedly Jameson, which is not only the top-selling whiskey from Midleton but also globally. With 56 million bottles sold worldwide in 2014, Jameson is highly regarded for its no-age-statement bottling, widely available in liquor stores and supermarkets. Jameson offers a range of expressions, including a 12 – year – old and an 18-year-old blended whiskey.

It’s worth mentioning that Tullamore Dew, previously produced at Midleton Distillery, has since returned to its original home in Tullamore with the opening of the Tullamore Distillery by William Grant & Sons in 2014. Other blended whiskeys produced at Midleton include Paddy, Powers, and Midleton Very Rare.

Overall, the Midleton Distillery plays a significant role in the production of various styles of Irish whiskey, including single pot still and blended whiskeys, contributing to the rich and diverse offerings in the world of Irish whiskey.

Production:

Midleton Distillery consists of two separate distilleries: one for grain whiskey produced in column stills, and another for traditional Irish single pot still whiskey made in pot stills. To meet the growing demand for Irish whiskey, the distillery underwent expansion with an investment of approximately 200 million euros. This expansion included the addition of new washbacks, stills, and warehouses, resulting in an impressive production capacity of 64 million liters of alcohol per year.

The Mashing:

Water is a crucial element in the production of whiskey, particularly during the mashing process. At Midleton Distillery, the Dungourney River has been the long-standing water source, even providing power to the distillery in the past. The old distillery site still showcases a large water wheel.

While Irish maltings supply the malt, the milling of barley and malted barley occurs on-site. Previously, a wet-milling process involving steam and hot water was employed, but since 2012, dry milling using hammermills has been implemented.

Mashing takes place in various mash tuns at Midleton, depending on whether it is for single pot still or grain whiskey production, as well as the specific whiskey label. The composition of single pot still whiskeys varies across labels in terms of the ratio of malted and unmalted barley.

The Fermentation:

After the 2014 expansion, Midleton Distillery now operates 48 wash backs to produce the wash for distillation. Brewer’s yeast, specifically Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is used for fermentation. The fermentation process for pot still distillation lasts around 60 hours, resulting in a wash with an alcohol content of 10% – 12% ABV. For grain whiskey distillation, fermentation takes 90 – 100 hours, yielding an alcohol content of 13% – 15%.

The Distillation:

Midleton Distillery employs triple pot still distillation, using seven pot stills with a capacity of 80,000 litres each. After passing through three pot stills, the spirit reaches a strength of 83 – 85% ABV. The distillation procedures at Midleton vary depending on the desired character of the single pot still Whiskeys. The separation of the middle cut from the foreshots and feints differs, resulting in varying levels of aroma intensity in the new spirit. There are three main categories: Heavy Pot Still (HMP), where the middle cut is generously separated, Light Pot Still (LMP), where the middle cut is cleanly separated, and Midleton Mod Pot (MMP), which falls in between. Additional gradations (LMP1 – HMP4) provide further variety. Grain Whiskey, on the other hand, is produced through continuous distillation in column stills. Midleton has five older column stills and six newer, larger column stills. The distillate passes through different stills during the process. The first still, known as the “beer column,” produces alcohol at approximately 74% ABV. The distillate then undergoes further purification in the extractive distillation column, where its alcohol content is reduced to around 25%. Finally, in the rectifying column, the distillate reaches its final strength of approximately 94.4% ABV. Continuous distillation is occasionally paused for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

The Warehouses:

Midleton Distillery requires a significant amount of casks and warehouse space for its whiskey production. The whiskey is matured in casks made from American oak and European oak. The casks are shipped in their original state to maintain their optimal condition and prevent drying out. Sherry and port wine casks are filled immediately upon arrival to halt any further bacterial or yeast activity. Approximately 70 to 80 casks can be filled simultaneously, while bourbon casks only wait for a short period of 1 to 3 months before being filled with new make spirit. The filling and storage processes are computer-controlled and monitored for efficiency. While the distillery embraces modern production procedures, it has made accommodations for the romance and tradition associated with whiskey production. However, with a new bottling plant and the construction of 40 warehouses in Dungourney, Midleton Distillery operates as a modern industrial facility rather than a small traditional distillery.

The History:

The modern Midleton Distillery was established in 1975 following the merger of John Jameson & Son, The Cork Distillery Company, and John Power & Son, which formed the Irish Distillers Group. The decision was made to consolidate production and construct a new distillery near Cork, adjacent to the Old Midleton Distillery where Jameson Whiskey was originally produced. Production at the new distillery commenced in 1975, and all partners ceased production at their respective old distilleries, moving operations to the new facility. The Old Midleton Distillery, which dates back to 1825, also ceased production in 1975. It was founded by the Murphy brothers, who produced Cork Distillery Whiskey (now known as Paddy) at the site. At the time of its operation, the distillery boasted the world’s largest pot still, with a capacity of approximately 33,600 UK gallons (150,000 litres).

Visitor Centre:

The visitor centre of the Midleton Distillery is located in the original Old Midleton Distillery, which has been named the “Jameson Experience” after the renowned Whiskey label. The centre offers a comprehensive exhibition that delves into the history of Jameson Whiskey. Additionally, since 2013, the Irish Whiskey Academy has been conducting three-day seminars that provide in-depth knowledge about Whiskey production.

Various tours of the Old Midleton Distillery, including visits to the cooperage and warehouses, are available. These tours differ in duration and focus on different aspects of the distillery’s operations. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance to secure your spot.

Please note that this information is based on the previous data available up until my knowledge cutoff in September 2021. It’s always a good idea to check with the official sources or the Midleton Distillery directly for the most up-to-date information on tours and reservations.

Opening hours
April – October: Regular tours between 10 am and 6 pm (the last tour starts at 4:30 pm)
November – March: Tours start at 11 am, 1 pm, 2:45 pm and 4:15 pm

Contact:
Phone: 00353 21 4613594
E-mail: jem@jamesonwhiskey.com

Midleton Distillery
Old Distillery Walk
Midleton
Co Cork

Visitor information:

Midleton Distillery
Old Distillery Walk
Midleton
Co Cork
Tel: +353(0)21-4613594
Email: midleton@jamesonwhiskey.com