Method and Madness unveils latest Irish whiskey innovation

Irish Distillers has unveiled a new single pot still whiskey as part of its innovative Method and Madness range.

The limited-edition Method and Madness Mulberry Wood has been finished in white mulberry wood - a first for the Irish whiskey category. Harvested in central Hungary, the wood was then air-dried for two years in Tokaj before being transferred to a cooperage in Budapest.

The whiskey, a single pot still distillate, was first matured in a combination of first-fill and refill American oak barrels before its finishing in 50-litre mulberry wood casks.

Irish Distillers says that the relatively high porosity and medium toasting of the wood have imparted increased levels of wood spices and sweetness, as well as colour, to the whiskey. It is bottled at 46% ABV.

Launched in 2017, the Method and Madness brand set out to challenge conventions and push boundaries in Irish whiskey, harnessing the expertise of masters and the fresh ideas of apprentices at Irish Distillers' Midleton Distillery and micro-distillery.

Trials for Method and Madness Mulberry Wood date back to 2019, when Midleton's wood planning and maturation team lead, Finbarr Curran, souced the mulberry wood casks from Budapest. The team at Midleton experimented with whiskey styles and maturation times to find the ideal liquid and selected a 50-litre cask size for an optimal surface-to-volume ratio, finally settling on a finishing period of between three and eight months.

Finbarr Curran said: "We are delighted to launch our limited-edition Mulberry Wood finish, a world first for the category and the third world first in the Method and Madness range.

"So far, our commitment to wood experimentation and maturation has taken us all over the world and led to the development of some of the most exquisite Irish whiskeys. It’s been a joyous journey of discovery and we look forward to continuing this exploration as we keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Irish whiskey."

Method and Madness Mulberry Wood is available to purchase online and on shelf in Ireland nad Finland, with a RRP of €95.

METHOD AND MADNESS Mulberry Wood is available to purchase online now and on shelf in Ireland and Finland from tomorrow at an RRP of €95. 

26 March 2021 - Bethany Whymark