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The end of an
era as Jameson and Midleton Master Distiller Barry Crockett
announces his retirement after 47 years
and hands over the reigns to Brian Nation.
Irish Distillers today
announced that Barry Crockett, Master
Distiller of Jameson Irish Whiskey, will
retire this March, bidding a fond
farewell to the Midleton Distillery in
Cork after 47 years; 31 of which he
spent as Master Distiller. The
announcement comes, fittingly, in the
week in which Barry was honoured by
Whisky Advocate with its Lifetime
Achievement award. Brian Nation, who
has been mentored by Barry for
the last ten years, will take over the
role of Master Distiller.
Born in the Distiller’s cottage that
sits on the grounds of the Old Midleton
Distillery, Barry Crockett has been
immersed in the craft of whiskey
distilling for almost 50 years. At the
age of seventeen, Barry began learning
his craft as a young apprentice to his
father and Midleton Master Distiller,
Max Crockett, eventually succeeding him
as Master Distiller in 1981.
During his time as Master Distiller,
Barry has seen the success of Irish
whiskey, and in particular Jameson, grow
on an unprecedented scale. In 1984,
Barry developed the award-winning
flagship blend from the Distillery,
Midleton Very Rare, and in 2011 oversaw
the launch of the Single Pot Still
Whiskeys of Midleton. Launched to
rejuvenate the popular style of whiskey
to its former glory, the pinnacle of the
range, Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy,
marks the first time since John Jameson
that an Irish Distillers product has
been named after a Master Distiller.
Commenting on his retirement, Barry
said: "Midleton Distillery may correctly
be described as important in the
industrial history of Ireland; it is
unique in the context of Irish
Distilling. Its success is a direct
consequence of an ongoing openness to
innovation and development. I am
fortunate to have been part of the
ongoing progress from an early age. The
lessons learnt from so many committed
people were vital in providing the
foundation essential to an appreciation
of the necessity to adopt ongoing
technical advances. Advance also made by
a thoroughly professional work team has
seen Midleton Distillery distil the most
remarkable whiskey distillates in the
world. As I now step down from the
position of Master Distiller I am struck
by what an incredible honour it has been
to oversee the wonder that is the
Midleton Distillery. This is especially
the case as the Distillery is currently
undergoing even more investment. I am
particularly happy to see my successor
Brian Nation take on the role of Master
Distilled. I know that with his guidance
the future of the Distillery will see
the balance between the heritage of the
Distillery and the ongoing need to
constantly evolve well secured."
Peter Morehead, Irish Distillers
Production Director, commented: "The
Crockett family has dominated Irish
distilling for more than 70 years, so
Barry’s retirement truly marks the end
of an era. We are really going to miss
Barry - his passion for quality and his
kind, gracious nature set him apart from
the rest, as do his outstanding
achievements. The success of Jameson,
Midleton and the great whiskey brands it
produces has not been a surprise to the
people who know Barry and his high
standards of excellence, so we are
immensely grateful for everything he has
done for Irish Distillers and of course
the Irish Whiskey category. We wish him
all the very best in his retirement."
Brian joined the Midleton Distillery,
Cork in December 1997 and is currently a
Distiller and global brand ambassador
for Jameson. He received the Worshipful
Company of Distillers Award for
achieving the highest IBD distilling
exam results in the world in 2006,
whilst also becoming the first Irish
Distiller to receive this award.
Commenting on how it feels to be the new
Master Distiller, Brian Nation, said:
"It’s an incredible privilege to be
Barry Crockett’s successor. Barry has
dedicated his life to Midleton and is a
well-known figure in the global whiskey
industry, so it has been a great honour
to be mentored by him over the last ten
years. Barry has been an inspiration to
me and I am looking forward to
continuing the traditions that have gone
before me and to ensuring the whiskeys
of Midleton continue to be enjoyed and
recognised as the best Irish Whiskeys in
the world."
Peter Morehead added: "I am particularly
pleased to introduce Brian as our new
Master Distiller. He has learnt his
craft from Barry and played a major part
in the design of the Midleton expansion.
He brings the perfect blend of
traditional craft and modern technology.
Our future is in safe hands."
To mark Barry’s retirement, he will be
honoured with an intimate dinner party
on 3rd September 2013 at ‘The
Housewarming’ – a special event that
will be held in Midleton to officially
launch the new expansion amongst other
things. Many of the close friends Barry
has made during his time at Irish
Distillers are expected to attend, where
he will be presented with a special gift
from his peers.
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