Irish Distillers boosts gin range with new Method and Madness

Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers will launch new Method and Madness Gin, available in Ireland and global travel retail from March 2019.

Irish Distillers said the release marks a “bold step into the modern premium gin market” and underlines its “commitment to experimentation and innovation”.

The gin features a fusion of 16 botanicals, led by black lemon and gorse flower – imparting notes of citrus and spice with earthy undertones.

Method and Madness gin is the result of an exploration into historic gin recipes from 1798 and months of research into how botanicals work together to create unique flavours in gin.

Led by master distiller Brian Nation and apprentice distiller Henry Donnelly, the gin has been distilled in ‘Mickey’s Belly’, Ireland’s oldest gin still, which was first commissioned in 1958 at the micro-distillery in Midleton.

Nation said: “The release of our Method and Madness gin represents the next chapter in the story of us rewriting what a modern Irish spirits company can be. Through our work with the apprentices at the micro-distillery, Midleton, we continue to innovate and experiment with different grains, distillation methods and spirit types and look forward to sharing our creations with the world in the coming years.

“As a Cork native myself, bringing the spirit of premium Irish gin back to the city has been a personal highlight – and one that I look forward to enjoying being a part of for many years to come.”

Brendan Buckley, innovation and specialty brands director at Irish Distillers, added: “At the very core of Method and Madness is a commitment to push the boundaries of what we can achieve in Midleton Distillery, and I believe that taking a confident leap into the modern premium gin category is the very definition of this mindset.

“Many new producers in Ireland are releasing gins while their whiskeys mature, but we are in no terms late to the party – in true Method and Madness style, we are entering the gin market using our passion and unrivalled distilling expertise as our guide.”

With an ABV of 43%, Method and Madness Gin will be available with a recommended retail price of €50 per 70cl bottle. It will be released globally from July.