The Roll of Time – Celebrating 200 Years of Midleton Distillery
Head of Archives, Carol Quinn, narrates 200 years of history, told through the labels which reflect a legacy of tradition, place and heritage.
To know where you are going, you must remember where you came from.
Episode 1
Head of Archives Carol Quinn takes us back to the beginning, before whiskey was even bottled and when one thing mattered above all – the origin of the whiskey.
Episode 2
From Prizes to Rivalry: How Cork Distilleries’ labels were imagined.
Episode 3
It started with a label that marked the beginning of a new era.
Episode 4
How did a pioneering spirit help shape the future of Irish whiskey? We explore how a revolutionary idea marked a pivotal shift in how our whiskeys are matured.
Episode 5
1984 marked the introduction of Midleton Very Rare, a brand that would go on to define ultra-premium Irish whiskey. Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman reflects on the privilege of selecting the finest pot still and grain whiskeys to craft the annual Midleton Very Rare Annual Vintage.
The Physical Roll Of Time
As celebrations marking 200 years of Midleton Distillery came to a close, we were proud to unveil The Roll of Time, a one-of-a-kind archival piece that brings our whiskey history to life by shining a spotlight on a carefully curated selection of labels from 1825 to 2025.
With each label providing a unique window into the history and events of the time, the Roll brings us on a journey through the evolution of Midleton Distillery, using labels as a prism to discover the key moments that have shaped its reputation for quality, craft and excellence.
Beginning with the first whiskey from the Murphy Family and spanning labels from Jameson and Redbreast to Powers, Midleton Very Rare and the Spot whiskeys, every label has been restored and curated to create a visual timeline of our history.
In a project led by our Head of Archives, Carol Quinn, and brought to life through the craftsmanship of Paul Curtis of Muckross Bookbindery, every element has been thoughtfully considered – from hand-binding on linen paper to the use of flamed oak spindles sourced in Killarney National Park.
The final work, which pays tribute to generations of Irish makers, is presented in a bespoke case wrapped in handmade marble paper featuring a 200-year old design, finished with gold embossing.
Received into our archive by Head of Archives Carol Quinn and Master Distiller Kevin O’Gorman, The Roll of Time will preserve the stories that shaped two centuries of whiskey-making at Midleton Distillery and is a true celebration of our heritage and craft.
