On-trade

Irish Distillers celebrates 200 years of Midleton Distillery

Irish Distillers marks the 200th anniversary of Midleton Distillery in 2025 with exclusive whiskey releases, archive showcases, and the final chapter of the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection

Pictured (L-R) at Midleton Distillery are Carol Quinn, head of archives at Irish Distillers and Nodjame Fouad, cheif executive officer, Irish Distillers, alongside the original Murphy logo which represents the beginning of Midleton Distillery’s 200-year story (Photo: Cathal Noonan)

Irish Distillers will honour the rich 200-year distilling heritage of the world-renowned Midleton Distillery with a schedule of celebratory whiskey launches and events throughout 2025.

Midleton Distillery is home to award-winning whiskey brands including Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Powers, the Spot Whiskeys, Method and Madness, and Knappogue Castle.

In 1966, the Cork Distilleries Company merged with John Power & Son and John Jameson & Son to form Irish Distillers and in 1975 the Midleton site was expanded to facilitate the move of the two famous Irish whiskey distilling houses to their new home.     

This year, to mark the special 200-year anniversary, Irish Distillers is digging deep into its famed archive to bring to life, the stories, people and of course, the whiskeys that have shaped Midleton Distillery through spotlighting its historic labels.

Throughout the year, pivotal labels in the distillery’s history will be brought to life digitally and visually on Irish Distillers social channels.

Additionally, later in the year, Barley Purchase Books from Midleton Distillery dating back to the 1820s and 1830s will be available to search on Ancestry as part of Irish Distillers’ ongoing partnership with the genealogy company. 

The year will also see the release of the much-anticipated sixth and final chapter of the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection, Ireland’s rarest and oldest ever whiskey collection. 

The final release, Chapter Six, a 50-year-old expression from this collection, ranging in age from 45 to 50 years old, will yield the very last drops of this inimitable spirit from Old Midleton Distillery before the distillery went silent forever.

Nodjame Fouad, chief executive officer, Irish Distillers, said: “Our whiskey making process is steeped in tradition and every drop is expertly perfected by our talented team at our world-famous Midleton Distillery. 

“In the coming year, we will celebrate 200 years of distilling tradition by sharing what it means to us – we look forward to bringing you on a journey over 200 years with us and to celebrating many more milestones and memories in Midleton in the future.”  

Carol Quinn, head of archives, Irish Distillers, said: “Archives are vital to preserve heritage, inform the present and shape the future. We are extremely fortunate at Irish Distillers to have records created by the firms of John Jameson & Sons, John Power & Son and the Cork Distilleries Company in our archive in Midleton. This year, we are delving into the company archive to bring to life historic labels of Midleton Distillery from 1825 to the present day. 

“Labels aren’t just markers; they provide a window into the distillery’s 200-year history, reflecting the cultural richness and the ambition that drove the distillery forward over two centuries. Throughout 2025, we will digitally guide viewers through the unique stories behind our labels, sharing insights into Midleton’s legacy.”   


Sign Up for Drinks Industry Ireland

Get a free weekly update on Drinks Industry trade news, direct to your inbox. Sign up now, it's free