IRISH DISTILLERS’ MASTERS AND APPRENTICES UNITE TO CREATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF IRISH WHISKEY

Irish Distillers introduces METHOD AND MADNESS; a new range of experimental super premium whiskeys designed to push the boundaries of Irish whiskey. METHOD AND MADNESS launches with a series of unique whiskeys that underpin a continued commitment by Irish Distillers to experimentation and innovation at the home of Irish whiskey in Midlelton, Co. Cork, Ireland.

METHOD AND MADNESS aims to harness the creativity of Midleton’s whiskey masters through the fresh talent of its apprentices. Taking inspiration from the famous Shakespearean quote, ‘Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t’, METHOD AND MADNESS is designed to reflect a next generation Irish spirit brand with a measure of curiosity and intrigue (MADNESS), while honouring the tradition and expertise grounded in the generations of expertise at the Midleton Distillery (METHOD).

The METHOD AND MADNESS range launches with four new Irish Whiskeys, each with its own twist; a Single Grain Irish Whiskey Finished in Virgin Spanish Oak; a Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in French Chestnut; a Single Malt Irish Whiskey enhanced with French Limousin Oak; and a 31 Year Old Single Cask, Single Grain Limited Edition bottled at cask strength.

Brian Nation, Master Distiller at Irish Distillers commented: “At the Midleton Distillery, we are committed to innovation and experimenting with new whiskey styles. We are also invested in training and nurturing the next generation of Irish whiskey makers and this project really brings that commitment to life. The passing on of knowledge and skills is part of our DNA from our long line of master distillers, to the generations of coopers that served their apprenticeships at the Midleton Distillery. In fact, this summer our apprentice cooper, Killian O’Mahony will become our first qualified cooper in over 40 years’’.

Karen Cotter, who joined Irish Distillers as a graduate distiller in 2012 said: “METHOD AND MADNESS is a great opportunity for myself and the team to work closely with and learn from the whiskey masters. Our Micro Distillery in Midleton will act as an experimental hub enabling us to trial and test new spirit types followed by aging in new cask types. The process will see new METHOD AND MADNESS releases but also others that may never see the light of day. It’s a really exciting project to be involved with”.

Brendan Buckley, Global Innovation & Prestige Whiskeys Director at Irish Distillers added: “At Irish Distillers, we are constantly searching for new ways to bring Irish whiskey to a wider audience. Jameson has been the iconic brand which has led the way, supported by niche connoisseur brands such as Redbreast, The Spot Range and Midleton Very Rare so with METHOD AND MADNESS, we are able to not only create an outlet for our whiskey makers to really experiment but also to create a uniquely original brand which will pique the interest of spirits drinkers throughout the world”.

The METHOD AND MADNESS Single Grain, Single Pot Still and Single Malt Irish Whiskeys will be available in the UK, France and Ireland from this month at the respective RRPs of €49, €69 and €79. The METHOD AND MADNESS 31 Year Old, Single Cask, Single Grain will be available in the same territories from April 2017, priced at €1,500.

NOTES

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Grain Irish Whiskey Finished in Virgin Spanish Oak
After maturing in ex-Bourbon barrels to achieve a light, perfumed flavour on the exceptional grain distillate, the whiskey has uniquely been finished for 12 months in toasted, virgin Spanish oak from Galicia, North West Spain. The process added complexity, cask character and a spicy note until the perfect balance between the subtlety of the grain spirit and the contribution of the Spanish oak was skilfully mastered. The expression is bottled without chill filtration at 46% ABV and is available at the RRP of €49.

Tasting notes by Master Blender, Billy Leighton:
Nose: New pencil shavings, light rose petal and fresh rain on pine
Taste: Warm toasted oak, fresh peeled grapefruit and zesty wood spices
Finish: Sweet cereal, clove spiciness and fresh mint

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Finished in French Chestnut
This Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey has been matured in a combination of ex-Oloroso sherry and ex-Bourbon barrels, before being transferred to chestnut casks sourced from the Isére region in France. In a world-first, the French chestnut casks impart a distinctive sweetness that lightens the mouth-feel, increases depth and adds a mahogany glow. The expression is bottled without chill filtration at 46% ABV and is available at the RRP of €69.

Tasting notes by Master Blender, Billy Leighton:
Nose: Red Liquorice laces, Fresh Rosemary mint and grated root ginger
Taste: Sweet fruit and spice, cinnamon toast and ripe banana
Finish: Aromatic green tea, dissipating fruit and spice and rich wood farewell

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Malt Irish Whiskey Enhanced with French Limousin Oak
The first Single Malt Irish Whiskey released from Midleton in recent memory, the whiskey has been initially matured in ex-Bourbon barrels, imparting flavours of malt and biscuit, and in a first for the category, has been part-finished in French Limousin oak for one year to add a lighter, floral and herbal note. The expression is bottled without chill filtration at 46% ABV and is available at the RRP of €79.

Tasting notes by Master Blender, Billy Leighton:
Nose: Freshly shelled peanut and cereal malt aroma
Taste: Cracked cinnamon stick and ice cream cone wafer
Finish: Fragrant bon bons and a hint of tasted barley

METHOD AND MADNESS Single Grain Irish Whiskey 31 Year Old
A bottling of exceptional single grain distillate matured in an ex-Bourbon cask for 31 years, this rare single cask release has developed a full deep grain character and a taste of honey, juicy mango and ripe melon with an endless dark wood and spicy finish. The expression which includes 3 Single Cask offerings is bottled without chill filtration ranging from 51.3%, 51.8 and 52.5% ABV and will be available from April 2017 at the RRP of €1,500.

Tasting notes by Master Blender, Billy Leighton:
Nose: Crisp floral, black liquorice and succulent fruit
Taste: Creamy honey, wood spice and honeydew melon
Finish: Endless dark wood, lingering fruit and gentle spices

About Irish Distillers
Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard is Ireland’s leading supplier of spirits and wines and producer of the world’s most well-known and successful Irish Whiskeys. Led by Jameson, our brands are driving the global renaissance of Irish Whiskey. Jameson is the world’s fastest-growing Irish Whiskey, experiencing 27 years of consecutive growth and hitting sales of 5.7m cases in 2016. Our brands are exported to 130+ markets, with over 60 of those experiencing double- or triple-digit growth. Irish Distillers was formed in 1966, when a merger took place between John Powers & Son, John Jameson & Son and Cork Distilleries Company. In 1988 Irish Distillers joined Pernod Ricard, gaining access to unprecedented levels of investment and an extensive global distribution network. In 2015, we completed a €220m investment which doubled our production and bottling capacity to meet global demand for our products.
We employ over 600 people across our operations in Cork and Dublin.

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s n°2 in wines and spirits with consolidated Sales of € 8,682 million in FY16. Created in 1975 by the merger of Ricard and Pernod, the Group has undergone sustained development, based on both organic growth and acquisitions: Seagram (2001), Allied Domecq (2005) and Vin&Sprit (2008). Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier‐ Jouët champagnes, as well Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard employs a workforce of approximately 18,000 people and operates through a decentralised organisation, with 6 “Brand Companies” and 85 “Market Companies” established in each key market. Pernod Ricard is strongly committed to a sustainable development policy and encourages responsible consumption. Pernod Ricard’s strategy and ambition are based on 3 key values that guide its expansion: entrepreneurial spirit, mutual trust and a strong sense of ethics. Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 index.
www.pernod-ricard.com

Bring your Craic! 

YORK 4th March, Brigantes            BOOK NOW

NEWCASTLE 11th March, Civic      BOOK NOW

Good News for Members!

We still have a few free spots available for members at one or two of these. To book in, please email Vicky on vicky@thewhiskylounge.com. This is strictly first come, first served, so get your skates on!

Dr. Jim Swan, 1941-2017

We were all really gutted to hear the news that friend of The Whisky Lounge, Industry legend and all-round nice guy, Dr. Jim Swan passed away last week.

He was responsible for many of the whiskies and distilleries we now take for granted, including Kilchoman, Penderyn and Kavalan as well as newer distilleries such as The Dublin Distillery and The Cotswolds Distillery.

I knew him personally and was lucky enough to spend some good time with him over the last 8 years or so.

Grab a dram, raise it to him and be thankful for those around you and still with us.

I have written a short piece about him – Click HERE

Sláinte!

Eddie, Amanda, Rupert, Georgina, Vicky and Guy

INTERESTING CASKS WITH CHRIS BOLTON

MONDAY 13 MARCH
7.30-9PM

BOOK

Join us for an evening of exploration, examining the casks used to mature whisky. Casks supply most of the flavour of a whisky, but when you move whisky from one cask to another, how does it change things? We aim to investigate and find out over the space of six whiskies

Balblair 1997 Gordon & MacPhail

Glenfiddich 21yo

Glen Garioch 1998 Wine Cask

Clynelish 1995 20yo Signatory

Benriach 21yo Port Wood

Lagavulin 1999 Distillers Edition

Our host for the evening is Chris Bolton, Whisky Exchange shop assistant manager and whisky obsessive. Chris has been seeking out weird and wonderful whiskies since he started working for us more than a decade ago, and he’ll be bringing along some excellent examples for our tasting.

MONDAY 13 MARCH
7.30-9PM

£35 PER TICKET

Please arrive at the venue from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start

BOOK

VENUE

THE WHISKY EXCHANGE SHOP
@ COVENT GARDEN
2 BEDFORD STREET
LONDON WC2E 9HH

Loch Fyne Range

Here in our workshop on the shores of Loch Fyne we do just one thing, and we do it very well. That’s to know what people like in a whisky. You’ve told us everything we need to know and we’ve heard you, because, like whisky, the skill of listening improves with age.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qhDny5leVc

Hello everybody! Mortlach is a whisky with such a reputation among lovers of a good, old school, Speyside single malt. This was indeed the only ever standard bottling that i was ever aware of before it’s modern re-launch, a few years ago. This sixteen year old was part of the brilliant, Flora and Fauna, a range, a part of Diageo’s range that show cased the smaller distilleries in their catalog as well as distilleries that were fundamental to the blending of, Johnnie Walker. Mortlach, Dailuaine, Benrinnes ,Teanich, Clynelish, the list is endless. Matured in sherry casks with chill filtration and additional colouring, small blemishes on what is a brilliant and now ever more difficult to find product. Enjoy!

http://thewhiskeyjar.com/

http://www.flagtimefilms.com/

https://www.facebook.com/whiskytube/

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Offers Special, Limited Edition Kentucky Derby Festival Bourbon Bottle

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As an official sponsor of the Kentucky Derby Festival, the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will release a special edition bottle of 2009 Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon to commemorate the 2017 Kentucky Derby Festival. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will also be the sole location providing Pegasus Pins through March 6.

Dipped in a unique gold wax with a commemorative pin sealed atop the cap, the bottle features a special face label with the Kentucky Derby Festival logo, and includes a 2017 Pegasus Pin in an envelope attached to each bottle. Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Artisanal Distiller Charlie Downs and Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Mike Brown unveiled the official 2017 pin and limited edition bottle at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Thursday, Feb. 16, by personally hand-dipping two of the limited edition bottles.

This bottle will be available for purchase at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience and other area retailers for $74.99 while supplies last.

The limited edition 2009 vintage is bottled at 107 proof, commemorating both the 62^nd Kentucky Derby Festival and 45^th Pegasus Pin anniversary. Like a fine wine, each bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage Bourbon contains the exact day it was put in an oak barrel to age.

The Bourbon is matured in natural open-rick warehouses under the careful supervision of Heaven Hill’s Master Distillers, who monitor the progress of each year’s vintage to ensure it maintains its intended flavor profile and superb quality.

Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage has won five “Whiskey of the Year” awards and is one of the most critically-acclaimed specialty Bourbons produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, the world’s second largest holder of aging Bourbon.

“The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience is proud to partner with the Kentucky Derby Festival to share the unique Kentucky spirit that is unmatched elsewhere,” said Evan Williams Bourbon Experience Artisanal Distiller Charlie Downs. “We’re honored to raise a toast to Kentucky’s heritage and welcome Festival Fans across the globe to join in celebrating the 2017 Kentucky Derby.”

Bringing the community together since 1956, the Kentucky Derby Festival has grown to become a whirlwind of more than 70 special events leading up to the big race in May. The Kentucky Derby Festival runs this year from April 20 – May 5. Pegasus Pins, which allow entry to Derby Festival events, may be purchased at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience as well.

“We couldn’t think of a better a pairing of two entities. Both the Derby Festival and Evan Williams Bourbon are part of Kentucky’s history and tradition,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “We know this special edition bottle will be very popular with pin collectors and Festival Fans alike.”

About Kentucky Derby Festival: Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.

About the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience: The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience® (www.evanwilliamsbourbonexperience.com/) celebrates the legacy of Evan Williams, Kentucky’s first commercial distiller, through an immersive visitor’s center experience which brings to life the history and tradition of Kentucky’s native spirit. An official stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, the facility offers guests a historical glimpse back in time to see Evan Williams’ original distillery through high definition video recreations of the Louisville wharf and Main Street in the late 18th Century, plus recreations of Whiskey Row building facades along Main Street from the 1890’s through the present. Meanwhile, visitors learn the essential differences between distilling during Evan Williams’ era and Heaven Hill’s modern Bernheim Distillery operations.

Whisky – The Alternative Investment

We often get asked which whisky is a good investment – and it is always a difficult question to answer. There are many ways to look at what has proven to be a good investment, but I have always believed the most important element is that the whisky is superb: a whisky you enjoy so much that you could drink it every day, and a whisky that you would choose as a desert-island dram. These amazing drams do not have to be the most expensive, the most beautifully packaged or the most limited of releases, just great drinking whiskies that with every sip make you say ‘Wow!’

An example: Springbank

Let’s look at an example and see if we can find any sensible reasoning. Springbank is one of the great whiskies of Scotland and has always had a loyal following. Springbank 15 Year Old bottled in the 1980s sold for around £10 a bottle at the time; the same bottle today sells for between £600 and £700 – an increase of more than 6,000% in 30 years. Incredible, but why? It is a working distillery and has been for well over 50 years, so stock has always been regularly available but not so much to make it too commercial.

Floor maltings at Springbank – doing things the old-fashioned way

Springbank still produces what we call ‘old-style’ whisky. Much of the malt is locally sourced, one of the stills is direct-fired and it also part-uses worm tubs. The distillery has always sold a range of products: a 10 or 12 Year Old, a 15 Year Old and then aged expressions when stocks allow. But when the distillery still produces a 15-year-old expression today retailing at around £60, and the production style has not really changed much, then why are the old bottles selling for so much more?

The argument is that even though the old style of whisky is similar to today, the taste is in fact quite different. Not necessarily better, just different. The whisky in these older bottles has a purity and complexity that is difficult to find in whiskies today. The spirit distilled at the time was more characterful and the process in some ways more artisanal, with no pressure on producing big volumes. The barley was probably more truly organic than what we know as organic today. The casks were also different to what is being used today. They may have been used for maturation two or three times provided they were still in good usable condition. Nowadays, technology to rejuvenate casks is much better, so even tired casks can be used again.

The evolution of Springbank

So, even though the current bottlings are extremely good, there are some of us who just love the old style that was available in the 1980s and before. In fact, we like them so much that we are prepared to pay anything to get ours hands on a bottle and yes, we will drink it. One less bottle will be on the market of something that is already scarce and guess what? The next bottle will probably cost more than the last one, especially if we enjoyed it so much that we are prepared to pay anything to get another.

One thing for sure is that collectors do not buy Springbank for the packaging. Indeed, some claim it has the worst packaging in the industry! The older bottles might have been simply packaged but they have become some of the most iconic bottles of the time.

Springbank’s latest packaging update

This principle does not only work with old bottles from the 1980s and prior; the amazing whiskies of today will become collectors’ items of the future. This includes both independent bottlings as well as distillers’ releases, however today we are more likely to find a superstar from the independent bottlers purely due to the number of casks released. Recent releases from distilleries like Littlemill, Imperial, Bunnahabhain, Bowmore, Glendronach, Arran, Ledaig and, of course, Springbank have been very good indeed. Also, not forgetting some of the unbelievable late-1980s and early-1990s vintages of Irish whiskeys released by some of the smaller indie bottlers.

Companions of the Quaich Whisky Tasting

Compass Box Whisky

Wednesday, March 15, 7pm

Legacy Liquor Store

Join us for 7 delicious drams, all from Compass Box, for what promises to be an entertaining and educational night around the harvest tasting table at Legacy Liquor Store.

• Great King Street Artist’s Blend                       
• Great King Street Glasgow Blend
• Hedonism
• Enlightenment
• Spice Tree Extravaganza
• Flaming Heart
• 3 Year-Old Deluxe 

Presenter: James Bornn, Brand Ambassador

The Companions of the Quaich is a non-profit group dedicated to promoting and sharing knowledge and enjoyment of Whisky. We share a common interest in, and a passion for, the whiskies of Scotland and the world. Open to members and non-members alike, this is also a great way to try before you buy.

Cost:                                        $55

Venue:                                    Legacy Liquor Store

Presenter:                               Compass Box Brand Ambassador 

RSVP: March 10

John Walker & Sons Private Collection 2017 Edition

Blended Scotch, The Collector’s Loft

46.8% vol. / 70cl

Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 1990

The first release in the Bond House No.1 Collection from Glenmorangie, this Highland Single Malt has been nurtured for a quarter of a century in ex-bourbon and a small parcel of ex-sherry casks to produce a floral, fruity expression with an extraordinary level of finesse and vibrancy.

£500 Buy Now

Only available while stocks last!