Review: Method and Madness Garryana Oak Irish Whiskey

Several Irish distilleries have taken to experimenting with new approaches to making whiskey of late, but few more boldly than Method and Madness. Today we look at their newest expression, which is Single Pot Still Irish whiskey that was first aged in ex-bourbon casks and then finished in Garryana white oak casks from Oregon. Method and Madness isn’t the first distillery to use Garryana oak (we discuss its distinctiveness in our review of Westland Garryana American single malt), but it is the first Irish distillery to do so. Method and Madness has experimented with unusual wood aging before, so this choice fits their adventurous approach to making whiskey. Let’s give it a try.

This whiskey has much to recommend it initially, but it doesn’t quite come together. The nose shows light caramel, cereal malt, and a touch of candied lemon peel. These notes follow through to the palate, though the lemon peel note is no longer as sweet here. The whiskey has a nice mouthfeel, marked by a buttery quality. Midpalate, however, a slightly bitter note appears, which lasts through the whiskey’s fairly short finish. Taken altogether, this is all pleasant enough, but the bitter finish detracts from the experience — which is particularly troubling at this price level.

92 proof.

B- / $80

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