Method and Madness at Midleton

 

Over the last five years we have well and truly been riding the Irish whiskey renaissance wave, and those waves look set to get even bigger and bolder, with around 20 whiskey distillery's now in production and another dozen in various stages of planning and construction. Not only does Irish whiskey continue to be one of the most exciting categories in the dramming world, it’s also the one experiencing the most growth, and for very good reason.

 

Embracing the past but very much looking to the future, it’s not just the ever-growing gang of new kids on the block that are now driving the category forward. The big established brands have kicked away those cobwebs of complacency and are now well and truly giving the newbies a run for their money, with regards to innovation and the targeting of a new generation of whiskey consumers.

 

In addition to its plethora of its heritage driven brands, such as Jameson, Redbreast, Green Spot and Powers, Irish Distillers have well and truly grabbed the reins of innovation at its Midleton Distillery, with the launch of its new experimental Method and Madness series.

 

Method and Madness, is a celebration the creativity of Midleton’s whiskey masters and its fresh talent of apprentices. Taking inspiration from the famous Shakespearean quote, "Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t "the series is designed to reflect a next generation Irish spirit brand with a measure of curiosity and intrigue, while honouring the foundation of innovation and experimentation grounded in the generations of expertise at the Midleton Distillery.

Midleton Master Distiller Brian Nation and Apprentice Distiller Karen Cotter

 

Method and Madness Single Grain

Finished in virgin Spanish oak casks

Nose: Madagascan vanilla pods, sugared almonds, strawberry jam tarts, pencil shavings and poly cement (Airfix) glue.

Palate: Cinnamon and clove infused honey, Butterkist salted caramel popcorn, cherry cough drops and a wisp of something menthol-esque.

Finish: A tenacious and teasing, full throttle thrill of a lingering finish.

Method and Madness Single Malt

Finished in French Limousine Oak casks

Nose: Grilled peaches, McVittie’s digestive biscuits, pink marshmallows and Luxardo maraschino cherries.

Palate: Baked spiced apples, cinnamon infused poached pears, Waitrose treacle tart and toasted oak.

Finish: A fabulously feisty ‘n’ spicy, long linger-ette of a finish.
  

Method and Madness Single Pot Still

Finished in French Chestnut casks

Nose: Clove infused orange oil, uncooked fruit cake mix, dried mango, red liquorice laces and a glug-ette of soy ginger sauce.

 

Palate: Fried plantain, tropical fruit trifle, poached pears, green tea, Dentyne cinnamon chewing gum, toasted oak, Turkish delight, retro white candy cigarettes and a good pinch of mixed spice.

 

Finish: A rich and rewarding finish, that provides the perfect highlights package, to what was delivered so well on both the nose and palate.

 

 

In addition to this trio of stunningly sipsational releases, Method and Madness have also launched a limited edition 31 Year Old Single Grain Irish whiskey. We’re yet to sample this one, but when we do you’ll be the first to know.

 

After sampling the first three bottlings in the series, its abundantly obvious that there’s also some genius amongst the madness at Midleton, and we’re very much look forward to seeing what they have up their sleeves next.