Jameson owner Irish Distillers will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the opening of its Midleton Distillery in Co Cork with a series of celebratory whiskey launches and events throughout 2025.
The company, which is owned by Pernod Ricard, produces whiskeys such as Jameson, Redbreast, Midleton Very Rare, Powers, the Spot Whiskeys, Method and Madness, and Knappogue Castle at the world-renowned facility.
The distillery was first acquired by the Murphy family in 1825, and became part of the Cork Distilleries Company following the amalgamation of local distilleries in 1867.
In 1966, the Cork Distilleries Company merged with John Power & Son and John Jameson & Son to form Irish Distillers, and all three whiskey distilling houses started production there in 1975 following an expansion.
Throughout 2025, pivotal labels in the distillery's history will be "brought to life digitally and visually" on Irish Distillers' social channels under the guidance of the group's head of archives, Carol Quinn.
“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," said Quinn.
"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.”
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.
This year will also see the release of the sixth and final chapter of the Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection, Ireland’s rarest and oldest-ever whiskey collection.
Beginning in 2020, the distillery began to release one chapter annually over six years to culminate in 2025, to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Old Midleton Distillery, which operated from 1825-1975.
"At Irish Distillers, we are exceptionally proud of where we have come from.
"Our whiskey-making process is steeped in tradition and every drop is expertly perfected by our talented team at our world-famous Midleton Distillery," said Nodjame Fouad, CEO of Irish Distillers.
"As we look to the future, and in the 200th year of Midleton Distillery, we want to pay tribute to our rich distilling tradition by celebrating our home, our history, our people, our brands and our craft.
"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.”
Irish Distillers reported a 1% increase in sales for its 2023-24 financial year, which ended in June and saw substantial sales growth in both China (+99%) and India (+55%)
Photo: (l-r) Carol Quinn, head of archives at Irish Distillers, and Nodjame Fouad, CEO, Irish Distillers. (Pic: Cathal Noonan)
