By Paul Barry | Assistant Buyer: Beer & Spirits
An Irish whiskey finished in mulberry casks: introducing METHOD & MADNESS Mulberry Casks. This new Irish Whiskey expression sprung from the minds of the masters and apprentices at the micro-distillery in Midleton who asked themselves the question: how would Mulberry wood, virtually unknown for ageing spirits, impact their Irish Whiskey?
The result is a world first for Irish whiskey. A limited edition release initially matured in traditional oak ex-bourbon casks, then finished in Mulberry wood casks.
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The common mulberry, or morus alba to give it its Latin name, is a small to medium sized three that grows in warm climates and is best known for the leaves which are used in the production of silk. The hard, straight grained wood for the tree was crafted in to 50 litre quarter casks in the renowned Kádár cooperage in Hungary.
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After maturing in bourbon oak barrels, the team at Midleton transferred this single pot still whiskey to these Mulberry casks. The casks are extremely porous and fast maturing, given the size of cask and the structure of the wood having relatively low density and high porosity, the whiskey spent between 3 and 8 months finishing in the unusual Mulberry casks to give a balanced final whiskey.
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“There can be no true innovation, without a dash of madness.”
Finbarr Curran – Bond Supervisor, Midleton Distillery
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Limited edition single pot still whiskey from the micro-distillery at Midleton. Aged in bourbon barrels and finished mulberry casks imparting notes of orchard fruits and smoked paprika.
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Nose: Caramelised toffee apple, freshly cut wood, toasted pine.
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Taste: Sweet pear, green apple, smoked paprika.
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Finish: Deep & mellow, lingering fruits, intense wood spice.
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Limited stock available in-store. Enquire in your local O'Briens.
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