Midleton's Very Rare has always been one of the most sought after releases from Ireland's largest whiskey distiller. It seems that this year, they have something new in the works - the Midleton Very Rare Foret de Troncais.

The new expression appears to just be the first of a new series, as the front label calls this Edition 1, and also this seems to be a collaboration between Irish Midleton and France's Taransaud Cooperage, a premier cooper that of course specialises in the use of French Oak.

The Forest of Troncais is now reserved for use as oak barrels in Cognac or winemaking. (Image Source: Allier Bourbonnais)

As for Foret de Troncais, this refers to the Forest of Troncais, a national forest in central France - for some relative scale, it is a 3.5-hour drive away from Paris. The forest once belonged to the Dukes of Bourbon (Bourbon, France, rather than Bourbon - American Whiskey), which was later reforested as a wood reserve for shipyards.

Eventually during the 18th century industrial revolution, more than two-thirds of the forest was felled for use. However, since then, the forest has been conserved for the past 200 years and is now only reserved for limited use as oak barrels for Cognac and wines.

All in all, this new French Oak aged or matured Irish whiskey from Midleton appears to be bottled at 48% ABV.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team