This is (or at least was) in my mind the premium Irish whiskey before Irish whisky got "super trendy" again with all the pot still and other releases and return of the Yellow Spot.  Classic triple distilled, blended Irish fare, Midelton Very Rare is in my mind the Johnie Walker Blue Label of the Emerald Isle.  Usually released every year these notes are for the 2006 bottling.  The nose has fresh dark fruits (plums, berries), dates and is very sweet and creamy.  The taste is silky smooth at first, then more dark fruits (pick one you like, they are all there), then some banana as well before the oak starts to roll in.  The fruits and oak remain in the finish and are joined by some tobacco and even bitter coffee.  There must be some sherry casks in this one!  Really rich and yet still soft and always balanced.  Perhaps lacks the punch of a pot still, but has depth and complexity.