Method and Madness debuts Amburana Wood Edition

Irish Distillers has released a Method and Madness Irish whiskey finished in amburana wood casks from South America.

The casks are typically reserved for the Brazilian spirit cachaça, however in this case, the brand is looking to introduce a ‘completely revolutionary’ flavour profile – which the company says is the first single pot still Irish whiskey to be aged in Amburana wood. Barrett Stapleton, head distiller at Irish Distillers’ microdistillery, said: “Having trialled a variety of wood finishes, the team felt it was the optimum time to showcase the unique and interesting flavour profile of amburana wood. “This expression pushes the boundaries by using innovative wood, unlocking new flavours and yielding a truly distinctive character in the resulting whiskey." The whiskey's liquid came from triple-distilled single pot still whiskey, first distilled in 2018, and was finished in the amburana wood casks for a period between four to seven months. Its notes are said to include scents of cardamom, marzipan, and demerara sugar; tastes of clove, cinnamon and heather honey; and a finish that ‘lingers with woodland spice, hazelnut syrup and raw vanilla bean’. The whiskey is bottled at 46% ABV and is available for €95 (US$103) at Irish Distillers brand homes, as well as in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and global travel retail. It will also launch in the US in early 2025. The Method and Madness brand was launched in 2017 and is produced at the Midleton microdistillery in Cork. It's used by Irish Distillers as a platform for experimentation, innovating and unique cask sourcing. Last year, Method and Madness created its first single malt and released an Irish whiskey finished in Quercus Garryana white oak casks, which was a first for the category.