Method and Madness - Virgin Spanish Oak

Method and Madness is an Irish Whiskey brand who are known for their flavor and creativity. They are one of the few that is always hot on the auction block, massively in demand and I think that the reason is because of their outside-the-norm finishes. Where most brands tend to stick within a specific realm of bourbon or sherry cask finishes these guys go that extra mile to do finishes such as French Limousin Oak for their single malt, Chestnut cask for their single pot still, and this offering of virgin Spanish Oak for their single grain. They are living a bit of that method and madness title by going out in search of the unusual which is why in honor of St. Paddy's Day, we tried the Single Grain which is matured in bourbon barrels and finished in virgin Spanish oak casks.

They list it as having a "taste of gentle wood playing off the sweetness of the grain" while having a nose that centered on wood pencil shaving and rose petals. It was quite a different sensory experience for Vince and me. We found the nose is rich with wood and somewhat reminiscent of an American single malt. It carries notes of cinnamon and the sweetness of fresh-cut wood but we could not find the roses. The taste brings a lot of cinnamon with a touch of heat surprising for its 46% ABV. The virgin oak finish reminds us both of American single malts but with the quality one associates with a finer Irish whiskey or Scotch.