Method & Madness SPS Hungarian Oak
A 6 to 8 year old light pot still (matured in Bourbon first fill barrels) is finished for 11 months in the virgin Hungarian casks. The oak itself is Quercus Patrae from the Zemplén Mountains. Bottled at 46% ABV and non-chill filtered. RRP €89.00.
Omar Fitzell Notes
Loads of Toffee here for me. Vanilla, ripe banana and out of nowhere, coconut!
Palate:
Very easy relaxed palate with a lovely sweet Oak taste.
Finish:
Slight bitterness creeps in but is replaced by the pot still spicy tingle that lingers nicely with a toffee and caramel note towards the end.
Overall:
Once again the method and madness range prove to be a home run. For me it’s no Chestnut finish SPS, but it is an exceptional whiskey that I would happily enjoy over and over again.
Al Higgins notes
Nose:
Surprisingly refined and light. Some spicy ginger, toasted coconut with a delicate hint of honey and citrus.
Palate:
A nice mix of spice and fruit. Flavours of vanilla, citrus, honey, nutmeg, ginger and toast.
Finish:
The spice and toasted oak flavours persist for an impressive length of time.
Overall:
You have to like the spiciness of fresh oak to enjoy this one. This is almost up there with the Chestnut Finish Method and Madness for me, an interesting and very enjoyable pot still.
Omar Fitzell
Omar has been lurking in the background of the Irish Whiskey Industry since 2010 when he started his journey through tasting, enjoying and collecting whiskey. In January 2018 he launched the online blog “That’s Dram Good” which, in those few short months, has become one of the most popular whiskey blogs in Ireland.
You can find him on:
• Twitter – @thatsdramgood
• Facebook – ThatsDramGood
Al Higgins
Over 20 years of experience in drinks retail and a member of the team at the Celtic Whiskey Shop since 2003. Alastair is chief tester and taster at the shop and is also coordinator for the Irish Whiskey Awards. When he is not working he is either training for ultra-marathons, parenting or drumming with his band Le Galaxie.
You can find him on:
• Twitter – @mostlydrinking