First launched in 2017, Method And Madness is a series of experimental expressions created in the Midleton Distillery, Cork.
The Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Virgin Hungarian Oak was first matured in a combination of first-fill and re-fill American oak barrels, before finishing in virgin Hungarian oak for 11 months, an industry first.
Kevin O’Gorman, master of maturation at Midleton Distillery, said: “Our quest for uncommon casks has led us all over the world. We were especially intrigued by the Quercus Petraea from North East Hungary and the unique properties that it could add to our flavour repertoire as whiskey makers.
“At Midleton Distillery over the past few years, we have been experimenting with Hungarian virgin oak casks – a trial and error process that we are incredibly proud to have finally mastered. The result is a new first for Irish whiskey that continues to challenge perceptions of what the category can be.”
The second aged release, a 28-year-old ruby port pipe, is a single pot still Irish whiskey matured initially for six years in American oak barrels, before being re-casked into a ruby port pipe for a further 22 years.
The cask was seasoned with wine and ruby port to remove tannins and add fruit flavours.
Method And Madness Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in Virgin Hungarian Oak is bottled without chill-filtration at 46% abv and is available in Ireland, UK, travel retail Ireland and France, RRP €89. Method And Madness Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey 28 Year Old Ruby Port Pipe Single Cask is bottled at 56.1% abv and available in the same market, priced at RRP €1,900.
