Midleton Method & Madness "Matured in Virgin Garryana Oak" Single Pot Irish Whiskey

Method and Madness Garryana Oak Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey is a groundbreaking Irish single pot still expression matured and finished in rare Virgin Garryana oak barrels — a true innovation from Midleton’s experimental Micro Distillery.

An audacious and richly layered single pot still Irish whiskey, this Garryana Oak edition pushes the boundaries of traditional Irish whiskey by introducing distinctive Pacific Northwest oak character. Earthy, smoky, and complex, it offers adventurous drinkers a compelling interplay of classic Irish spirit purity and bold, wood-driven nuance ideal for contemplative sipping.

Origins & Craftsmanship

This expression hails from Midleton Distillery in County Cork, Ireland, produced under the Method and Madness range — a series dedicated to innovation, experimentation, and wood-influenced expressions of Irish whiskey. The base spirit is a triple-distilled single pot still whiskey made from a traditional mix of malted and unmalted barley.

Initially matured in ex-bourbon American oak casks, the whiskey is subsequently finished in virgin Garryana oak barrels — sourced from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States (native Oregon white oak), known for its higher tannin content and elevated phenolic profile. This finishing regime imparts unique structural and aromatic depth rarely seen in Irish whiskey, producing a bold expression that marries terroir and tradition.

Critics Reviews

There are no widely published formal professional critic scores from major spirits publications specifically for this Garryana Oak release. Independent tasting notes from reputable whiskey reviewers observe that this expression achieves a harmonious balance between Irish spirit elegance and the distinct oak-derived complexity, marking a successful innovation in the Method and Madness series.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Evocative and deep with smoked applewood, treacle and golden raisins, underpinned by subtle vanilla and mature barley notes — a direct testament to the Garryana influence.

Palate:
Layered and full-bodied, unveiling crushed black pepper, coffee cake, toasted wood, and delicate clove spice, with hints of malted barley combining with the wood’s spice complexity.

Finish:
Long, warm, and lingering — the finish delivers coffee grounds, clove spice, and malted barley echoes that resonate well beyond the last sip.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Recipes

Garryana Whiskey Neat or With Water
Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature in a tulip glass; add a few drops of water to open nuanced oak spice and fruit character.

Irish Barrel Old-Fashioned

• 2 oz Method and Madness Garryana Oak

• 0.25 oz demerara syrup

• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
  Stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube; garnish with an expressed orange twist to highlight citrus oils against oak spice.