The Method and Madness brand was launched a number of years ago as the experimental lab at Midleton distillery. Mildeton is the starting point for a number of familiar Irish whiskey brands, and this lab is a place where the different masters and apprentices can come together and share knowledge and ideas. The result is an exploration of many variants in Irish whiskey, from single grain to single malt to pot still, but using elements that are rarely seen. It’s a place to push the envelope and take risks to discover something new. Most of these elements, at least so far, are featured as different cask finishes. The Method and Madness Virgin Hungarian Oak is a single pot still whiskey finished for an undisclosed amount of time in virgin Hungarian oak casks.
Distillery: Midleton
Region: Foreign
Age: NAS
Strength: 46%
Price: $90.31
Maturation: Virgin Hungarian Oak
Location: Midleton, County Cork
Nose: Oak, furniture polish, almond, amaretto, spice, vanilla, butter, floral
Palate: Butter, rye, vanilla, apple
Finish: Rye, spice
Comments: This particular offering was not available in the US market, and was acquired during Scotchology’s Dublin expedition.
Adam – The Method and Madness Virgin Hungarian is a fun experiment, and strides a great line between expectation and surprise. The vanilla and oak are present, but the Hungarian oak (and maybe some different blending) result in an extra element of fruit and florals on the nose and palate that add a great dimension of complexity I wasn’t expecting. The greatest variety is in the nose, which can be subtle but bears focus, before narrowing into the palate a little with the rich buttery mouthfeel with just a hint of spice, almost like a rye and a dash of apples. The creamy mouthfeel is definitely part of the experience and adds a richness to the entirety I thoroughly I enjoy.
Kate – Vanilla, oil tannins, almond oil, butter, oak on the back end of the nose followed by butter like in a pastry, slightly spicy, oaky, and apples on the palate before finishing warm and slightly spicy. I can tell that this is an Irish whiskey right away. It is very forward on the vanilla and it takes awhile for the nose to open up. The taste is a lot stronger than the nose. The finish is a reasonably lovely length and juxtaposes the vanilla notes with the spicy/oakiness of the barrel. I wouldn’t turn the Method and Madness Virgin Hungarian down if someone gave it to me but I also wouldn’t seek it out.
Bill – Vanilla giving way to a soft almond, and then the burn hits at the end. vanilla giving way to a soft almond, and then the burn hits at the end.
Reminds me in so many ways of a good Chardonnay
Henry – On the front end of the nose, light and spicy florals – water lily – leading to spiced almond and toasty oak. Simple and light on the palate. The Method and Madness Virgin Hungarian reminds me in so many ways of a good Chardonnay, with oak, vanilla, and a hint of butter in balance. Spice follows through until the finish.
Kristin – There’s not as much of a nose to this but I think it turns out really well on the palate.
Ben – When I think about Irish whiskey, I think about the big three (Bushmills, Jameson, Tullamore DEW), and this leans more toward Bushmills. There’s a fruitiness to the flavor.
