Midleton Distillery

The story of New Midleton begins with the formation of the Irish Distillers Group in 1966, when three of Ireland's most storied distilling dynasties — John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son, and the Cork Distilleries Company — merged to consolidate the fragmented Irish whiskey industry. The combined entity decided to close all existing distilleries and build a single modern production facility capable of meeting future global demand. Production at New Midleton began in July 1975, simultaneously ending production at the Old Midleton Distillery and the Dublin distilleries.

Pernod Ricard acquired Irish Distillers in 1988, bringing the group — and Midleton — into one of the world's largest spirits portfolios. Under Pernod's stewardship, investment in Midleton has been substantial: since 2010, over €200 million has been invested to expand capacity and build a new maturation facility in nearby Dungourney. In early 2025 production was temporarily halted, citing market conditions and the impact of US tariffs; production has since resumed.

New Midleton operates at extraordinary scale. The distillery's total annual capacity reaches approximately 64 million litres, making it by far the largest spirits production facility in Ireland. The site is equipped with three massive pot stills of 75,000 litres each — among the largest pot stills currently in operation worldwide — alongside three column stills for grain whiskey production, and a smaller micro-distillery producing approximately 50,000 litres annually for experimental and premium expressions. Water for production is drawn from the Dungourney River. Production areas are linked via fibre-optic networks. The distillery can produce single pot still whiskey, single malt, grain whiskey, and blended Irish whiskey — covering every commercial style.

Midleton's true distinction is in its extreme versatility. The breadth of production styles allows the distillery to produce spirits spanning from the smooth, universally approachable Jameson triple-distilled blend through to the rich, spiced, pot still complexity of Redbreast 15 and 21 year olds. Jameson (the world's largest-selling Irish whiskey) offers triple-distilled smoothness with light fruit, vanilla, and gentle spice. Redbreast — the benchmark for single pot still Irish whiskey — delivers rich orchard fruit, pot still spice, and remarkable depth across its age statement range. Midleton Very Rare, issued as an annual vintage, is among Ireland's most collectable expressions. Powers preserves the traditional Dublin distillery's spiced pot still character.

The Jameson Experience at the adjacent Old Midleton Distillery site is the primary visitor attraction. It offers guided tours covering seven stages of whiskey making, reconstructed scenes from the original Dublin Jameson distillery, and an Irish Whiskey Academy offering one-to-three day whiskey appreciation courses. The Master Distillers House on the grounds houses historical archives. An online shop is available via Jameson and Midleton brand websites; a physical shop operates on site.