Method and Madness – the new face of Irish whiskey

The Irish whiskey industry is in fine fettle. Many new distilleries are planned across the country, and there’s an exciting new project from the biggest name in the business: Irish Distillers. I visited Ireland to get the lowdown on the project – Method and Madness – which uses three very unusual cask types.

Last week, we looked at the most common ways of maturing whisky, but this new project features cask types rarely seen: French chestnut, virgin Spanish oak and French Limousin oak. The name refers to the collision of careful tradition from the old hands at Irish Distillers and the rip-up-the-rulebook experimentation encouraged by their young apprentices. The range comprises a single grain, a single malt and a single pot still – and they’re available to buy now.

Master blender Billy Leighton said: ‘The whole Method and Madness concept is designed to be disruptive and non-conformist. The apprentices are learning from us but they’re not afraid to ask questions, which is great. Curiosity is the keyword here – our micro-distillery is their playground, and it’s going to be a key feature for Method and Madness in the future.’

The Midleton micro-distillery opened in 2015 and can produce just 50,000 litres a year – miniscule compared with the main plant whose capacity is more than 1,000 times greater. Its size is similar to the company’s original distillery in Bow Street, Dublin, and thanks to Irish Distillers’ archive department, the apprentice have access to some original recipes from nearly 200 years ago. Some documents even had a few stray barley grains trapped between the pages – these have been sent for analysis so that the strain of barley can be identified, to help make any recreations even more authentic.

Midleton’s micro-distillery, designed for trials and experiments by the Irish Distillers apprentices

Kevin O’Gorman, Irish Distillers’ master of maturation, explained more about the choice of casks: ‘The Irish Whiskey Act gives us the freedom to push the boundaries when it comes to using different types of wood,’ he says. ‘The chestnut we use is sweet chestnut, part of the same family as oak and beech. It’s completely unrelated to horse chestnut. It’s actually a very durable wood; in France, they use it to make avalanche huts, it’s that strong.

‘The Limousin oak has a wider grain structure, so it’s more open and the whiskey matures faster. We felt that a full finishing would have been too much [in the single malt bottling], so we say the whiskey has been “enhanced” – it’s more like a partial finish.’

These are my notes on the new range:

Single Grain Nose: Plenty of that classic toffee-popcorn aroma I find in grain, along with a touch of black pepper, floral notes and a hint of pencil shavings.

Palate: Rich, sweet and spicy – very easy drinking. Butter popcorn this time, joined by clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and mint. Delightful!

Finish: The creamy grain and spiky spice balance out well.

Single Malt Nose: Very fresh and fruity, with notes of aromatic peach and fresh melon, with floral notes and a biscuity sweetness.

Palate: Richer on the palate, with the fruit now softened with golden syrup and honey, with notes of cinnamon toast.

Finish: Overall, clean and fruity, with some lingering spice in the background.

Single Pot Still Nose: Rich and warming, with Christmas spices, honey and dried orange peel.

Palate: Initial blast of sweet fruit – intense candied fruit and stewed apple. Lovely mouthcoating texture with fragrant citrus and spicy cinnamon.

Finish: Rich and long-lasting; lovely balance of fruit and spice.

It’s good to see Irish Distillers innovating and trying new things – it used Irish oak to finish its Dair Ghaelach whiskey, and this new range is sure to evolve and showcase even more lesser-known woods to give a new slant to its whiskey range. For more information on the Method and Madness range, click here.

New Release

Bunnahabhain Ceobanach

Bunnahabhain Ceòbanach (meaning “smoky mist”) is a small batch peated expression from one of Islay’s few (typically) unpeated distilleries. This latest release is matured in ex-bourbon casks and bottled non chill-filtered. Intensely pungent and phenolic on the nose, with smoke, light tar, oak and seaweed. The palate brings sweet maltiness, tangy smoke and vanilla. Mellow and smooth, white pepper, bitter orange, liquorice and sea salt emerge, before sweet smoke and oatcakes in the finish.

£55 Buy Now

Bunnahabhain Moine Oloroso

This limited edition from Islay’s Bunnahabhain distillery takes its name from the Scots Gaelic for peat, Moine, and the seven Oloroso sherry casks in which it was matured. Revealing a side of the distillery not often seen, this rich and complex single malt is presented non chill-filtered at a cask strength of 60.1% abv. The nose is rich in raisins, sultanas and toffee before a peppery smoke. The palate is rounded with sweet sherry and dried fruit, salted toffee and a syrupy feel developing into smoke layered over oak and citrus. Sweet smoke lingers in the finish.

£74.99 Buy Now Last remaining bottles

Saturday, April 29th 12-3PM

Pürgeist Bavarian Whiskey

Pürgeist Bavarian hop-flavored whiskey is a hopped whiskey inspired by the Bavarian tradition of distilling beer. It is a dry and smooth sipping whisky that showcases the characteristics of both malt and hops. As delicious as it is unique, Pürgeist is made with no caramel color, no chill-filtration, no climate control, and no mass production. As such, this ‘low-tech’ whiskey is only available in very limited quantities.

Distillery representatives and whisky experts will be present throughout for all your whiskey questions.

Click Here to RSVP

Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 159: Bowmore Small Batch

Mark Dermul, Belgian whisky blogger, tries an NAS Bowmore. A couple of years ago, Bowmore released the Small Batch, a bourbon matured entry level malt. Not as smoky as most of its Islay brothers, this Small Batch is almost tropical with a salty edge and a lovely encounter for newcomers and aficionados alike.

https://youtu.be/i0I3B28eX2Y

THE MACALLAN IN LALIQUE LEGACY COLLECTION ACHIEVES EXCEPTIONAL AUCTION PRICE

OF US$993,000 AT SOTHEBY’S HONG KONG  

Sunday 2 April saw the sale of the extraordinary The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection – a set of six stunning crystal decanters containing the rarest of The Macallan’s single malts aged from 50 to 65 years old – for US$993,000 at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong.

Following more than a decade of collaboration, the highly coveted collection marks the grand finale in the prestigious Six Pillars odyssey – an exclusive series of limited edition decanters by The Macallan and master French crystal maker, Lalique, inspired by the foundation stones upon which The Macallan creates its exceptional whiskies.

As the world’s only complete collection, official and direct from The Macallan, The Legacy Collection was listed in the Sotheby’s ‘Finest & Rarest Wines and The Macallan’ auction in Hong Kong on Sunday 2 April 2017, with all net proceeds to be donated to Hong Kong based and other Asian charities.

Housed in a one and only, bespoke natural ebony cabinet created by Lalique Maison, The Legacy Collection also holds six Macallan Fine and Rare miniatures; two from each of the 1937, 1938 and 1939 vintages (signifying the zenith of Lalique’s contribution in the French Art Deco period), and six pairs of Lalique Macallan glasses, each serial numbered to commemorate the unique partnership.  Autographs of the masters behind the collection are included inside the cabinet, which also allows space for the buyer to have their own name engraved within it as well.

Ken Grier, Creative Director for The Macallan, said: “This remarkable conclusion to The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series is a symbol of the strength behind our long-standing partnership and our unwavering commitment to going beyond the ordinary. To achieve this outstanding price at auction is testament to the quality, detail and absolute skill and mastery of the Lalique craftsmen and our expert whisky makers, and we are proud that this work of art has secured a wonderful contribution to Asian charities.”

Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique, said: “The unprecedented price achieved for The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection reflects the exceptional nature of the piece – a complete one off and highly collectable work of art which marries the two houses. Masters in their respective fields, Lalique and The Macallan are joined by mutual respect and an unwavering commitment to craft, artistry and beauty. Since our partnership first began in 2005, it has achieved a number of world record prices at auction and we are delighted to provide both The Macallan and Lalique connoisseurs the opportunity to own something truly remarkable whilst contributing to Asian charities.” 

Robert Sleigh, Senior Director at Sotheby’s Asia, said, “It has been an honour for Sotheby’s to work with The Macallan and Lalique once again in offering this unique Macallan Collection that combines the exemplary artisanal skills of both Macallan and Lalique, to produce this once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire such a rare collectable item. The enthusiasm of over ten bidders in the room, online and over the phone demonstrates the importance with which global collectors regard The Macallan in Lalique Legacy Collection and the significance of its direct from the distillery provenance. It is fitting that it achieved a new world record for any lot of whisky ever sold at auction.”

The six exceptional whiskies contained in the cabinet are:

The Macallan in Lalique – Exceptional Oak Cask, 50 Years Old

The Macallan in Lalique – Natural Colour, 55 Years Old

The Macallan in Lalique – Finest Cut, 57 Years Old

The Macallan in Lalique – Curiously Small Stills, 60 Years Old

The Macallan in Lalique – Spiritual Home, 62 Years Old

The Macallan in Lalique – Peerless Spirit, 65 Years Old

Since its inception in 2005, The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars series has captured the imagination of collectors around the world. In 2014, The Macallan accounted for the top ten priced bottles sold at auction; eight out of ten sales being decanters from The Macallan in Lalique series (Whisky Magazine). In 2015, The Macallan was the most valuable whisky brand at auction, accounting for over 25% of the total value traded at auction (Rare Whisky 101).

The Macallan has a strong relationship with Sotheby’s, having previously worked together on both its world record auctions including, The Macallan 64 Years old in Lalique Cire Perdue Decanter in November 2010, selling at auction in New York for US$460,000, and the Imperial M Decanter in January 2014, selling at auction in Hong Kong for US$628,000.

The charities set to receive funding from the proceeds of the auction include those which benefit disadvantaged people in Hong Kong and throughout Asia by supporting them with food needs, skills to help them back into employment, and medical requirements.

For further information about The Macallan visit www.themacallan.com

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824, The Macallan is one of the world’s most admired and awarded single malt whiskies. The reputation of The Macallan is based on a product of outstanding quality and distinctive character, founded upon a set of guiding principles, the Six Pillars. An obsession with quality has been the hallmark of The Macallan since its’ founding by Alexander Reid on a plateau above the river Spey in north-east Scotland. The distillery is surrounded by a 150 hectare estate, with Easter Elchies House at its heart, a Highland Manor built in 1700. www.themacallan.com

About Lalique

Founded in 1888, Lalique is one of the crown jewels of France’s crystal glass industry. René Lalique, renowned as the inventor of modern jewellery, went on to become a master in the art of glassmaking. Over time, his name has become the powerful symbol of a unique expertise, a synonym for luxury, excellence, creativity and for a widely celebrated artistic style. Through its contemporary work in six areas, Lalique revives and pursues the creative, eclectic work of its founder: jewellery, decorative items, interior design, fragrances, art, as well as hospitality. All crystal items are handcrafted in the company’s sole manufacturing site, which has been located in the Alsace region in France since 1921. Lalique continues to thrive as a truly timeless lifestyle brand.  www.lalique.com

About Sotheby’s Wine

Sotheby’s Wine auctions in 2016 brought a worldwide total of HK$575 million / US$74 million.  Sotheby’s overall total of HK$689 million / US$88.27 million for global wine auctions in 2010 is the highest in the company’s forty-seven years of wine auctions.

The Lafite Ex Cellars sale held by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong in October 2010 set a new record for a single standard sized bottle at auction when a bottle of Château Lafite 1869 sold for US$232,692.  This means that Sotheby’s now holds the world records for a standard bottle, a bottle in any format – the Jeroboam of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945 which fetched US$310,700 in February 2007 in New York – and any wine lot at auction – the Romanée-Conti Superlot (114 bottles) which sold for HK$12,556,250 (US$1,609,776) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October 2014.

Sotheby’s holds the record for a wine collection sold at auction.  Wines from the Cellar of William I. Koch (New York, 19-21 May 2016) brought a total of US$21.9 million, with 100% lots sold.

Between 2009 and October 2011 Sotheby’s Hong Kong maintained 16 consecutive 100%-sold wine auctions in Asia – the only major auction house with this record.  www.sothebys.com/wine

Charitable Donation

All net proceeds of the auction will be donated to Hong Kong based and other Asian charities.  The full list of charities set to benefit includes:

Hong Kong charities

• Society for the Community Organization which supports disadvantaged people in Hong Kong.
• Food Link Foundation which specialises in coordinating food needs for disadvantaged families in Hong Kong.
• Crossroads Foundation which supports disadvantaged people in Hong Kong, specifically helping unemployed people who lack the correct skill sets between jobs. 

Regional charities

• Watsi which provides support to those in need of medical and surgical support and works globally and regionally including in Asia-Pacific.
• One Sky Foundation which supports orphans in Asia-Pacific.

Special Whiskey glasses which has travelled half the world!

Something new but no less exciting! Personalized present, which has travelled half the world. Today I will talk about you – whiskey or bourbon lovers. Have you ever felt the same feeling, when you wanted to please and surprise him or her, but could not find an appropriate gift?

Whiskey gourmets and lovers are special, you know. They are picky, solid. Every sip of whiskey are special for them. Full of different sensations and knowledge, enjoyment. And so the vessel from which they taste should be no less special. Special for special, you know.

Once my friend asked me if I could create something special for her partner. He loves nature, trees – she said. His job is closely related with carpentry. He also is very patriotic. Ok, I said – it will be very interesting challenge for me! And yes, after few days thinking, I combined symbols, which were the reflection of everything she told. So, here we go – please meet my engraved whiskey glasses with Baltic amber drops on special engraved oak tree’s branches!

After few years I reminded this adorable creation and repeated for very special client from Australia. Here what she said, after getting them: “I was looking for a unique and special 40th birthday present for my partner – who is a whiskey lover – and I stumbled upon these wonderfully crafted glasses. I ordered a set with his name engraved on one of the glasses. My order arrived within a week and I was most delighted with the finished product, not to mention the great care and attention paid to the packaging of the items so they wouldn’t be damaged during shipping.” Good examples commits. There is nothing impossible! Find yourself free to know more about the possibility to get such whiskey or bourbon glasses decor. Special for special. You know. Check here.

Mortlach 20 Year Old

Bottled March 2017 from a single Hogshead cask #186 by Signatory Vintage for the Un-Chillfiltered Collection. A great value expression of the now super premium Speyside single malt distilled in Dufftown, Scotland. Mortlach Distillery was established in 1823 on the banks of the River Dullan in the Speyside whisky region. Mortlach is equipped with wooden worm tubs, six stills of assorted shapes and sizes and three spirit safes in order to run a unique two and a half times or partial triple distillation process. Official bottling of Mortlach single malt are few, however, independent bottlers recognise the great quality of Mortlach whisky particularly following long maturation in sherry casks. Gordon & MacPhail released a stunning bottling of 70 year old Mortlach single cask malt whisky distilled in 1938 and matured in a single sherry hogshead until bottling in 2009.

£60.97

SHOP NOW

Ralfy goes to the grain with Ralfy Review 640 – Port Dundas 37yo grain (Duncan Taylor)

Exel Wines of Perth; Gordon & MacPhail whisky tasting

Friends of ours Exel once again held a whisky tasting, a private tasting after hours here in Perth, in fact, just a 4 minute walk from where I live. A 6.30 start, but as usual for me, I turned up at 6.15 and had a wee chat with Kevin Cairns who took the tasting. He has been with G&M 18 months or so, been around a bit in the wine industry also. I was missing my “night at the museum” tonight with the Mad Ferrets! They w…ere performing at Perth museum. Och well. A wee group of 14 “slavoured” over the whiskies in front of us, personally I couldnee wait for the first dram;

CC DAILUAINE Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2004 46% VOL 70CL – an 11 yo dram, 1st refill sherry bottled in 2015. Strong, wee burn but nice dram. Cask strength, what I would call a “ZZ Top” dram (afterburner). Nutty, powerfull on the lips, good start Kevin.

We followed this with SPEYMALT FROM MACALLAN DISTILLERY Malt Scotch Whisky 2007 43% VOL 70CL – one from a range set up by pal Derek (see below), a 9 yo bottling, a longer after taste but personally I found this a boring dram. Maybe I have tried too many?

MACPHAILS COLLECTION GLENTURRET Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2004 43% VOL 70CL – 1st fill sherry, 12 yo bottled September 2016. Good legs, good nose, toffee caramel fudge, Christmas cake, used in the famous Grouse, best so far.

MACPHAILS COLLECTION BUNNAHABHAIN Malt Scotch Whisky PEATED 8YO 43% VOL 70CL – Islay immediately! Mary’s peat farm, light on colour, I tell you, for under 32 quid it’s a belter!

ARDMORE Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2002 57.5% VO 70CL – oh bliss! Oh bliss! Cask strength 14 yo, I didnee add water and it was sublime, rich, grand nose, reminded me of my visit to the distillery with Ingvar, a refill sherry hoggie, super smooth, toffee, wee touch of peat/smoke, best of the night, I went home happy with a full bottle @ under 60 quid! Should have bought a case.

CAOL ILA Single Malt Scotch Whisky 2005 57.3% VOL 70CL – final dram, 11 yo, 1st fill sherry butt, apples and perfume, at cask strength, great dram aye, but cannee beat the Ardmore.

A good tasting from a superb company. I know a few folks up in Elgin at G&M (another contact now), plus our pal Derek Hancock. Derek who spent over 40 years as a senior executive responsible for Single Malt Scotch Whisky exports and became a Keeper of the Quaich in 2001. Derek is passionate about whisky, as we are at MCLEANSCOTLAND. Derek works with us up in Speyside driving/guiding some of our tours. So I knew we would be in good hands tonight, G&M do not employ numpties.

Many thanks to the two lovely ladies at Exel for hosting this evening, and yes, it was worth missing the mad boys for this! For whisky collectors, drinkers and beginners – try out Exel for your whisky (and wines & beers by the way, plus all gins etc). Am I on a fee for this? No, just like to spread the word about good whisky joints. Put me on the list for the next one Keron!

Paul  www.mcleanscotland.com/   www.whiskytours.scot