Blend of old and new

28 : 03 : 2017 Whiskey : Branding : Anti-Authenticity Marketing

Midleton, Ireland – Midleton Distillery’s new whiskey marks a departure from traditional approaches to branding the spirit.

  • The bottles were designed by Swedish design studio M&E
  • The range, Method and Madness, was created to reflect the Irish Distillers micro-distillery, which opened in 2015 as a hub for innovation
Method and Madness by Midleton Distillery, Ireland Method and Madness by Midleton Distillery, Ireland
Method and Madness by Midleton Distillery, Ireland Method and Madness by Midleton Distillery, Ireland
Method and Madness by Midleton Distillery, Ireland Method and Madness by Midleton Distillery, Ireland

The visual identity for Method and Madness marks a significant departure from the ideas of heritage and tradition conventionally presented by whiskey brands. Inspired by the long-standing methods passed on by the brand’s master blenders in conjunction with the fresh outlook brought by its apprentices, this juxtaposition between method and madness acted as the starting point for M&E.

Matthew and Emelie co-founders of M&E explain that Method and Madness has been branded to appeal to a millennial audience, who may not necessarily fit into the traditional profile of a whiskey drinker.

The labels feature methodical horizontal lines beside free-flowing marbled patterns, and each of the four whiskies in the range has been created with its own colour palette. The octagonal bottles refract light and visually reinforce the idea of madness highlighted in the name, while the modular and abstract nature of the label will allow the brand to expand its range in the future without repetition.

The Big Picture

In creating a visual identity that veers away from conventional whiskey branding, Irish Distillers is tapping into Anti-authenticity Marketing.

Discover More Daily Signals
Creators, community and culture take centre stage at SXSW Austin 2026

Daily Signals

Creators, community and culture take centre stage at SXSW Austin 2026

A central question echoed across discussions on the first day of SXSW 2026: how can brands tap into culture in a way that feels genuinely relevant?
Global Events : SXSW : Marketing
How Tipping Point East is redefining circular construction in London

Daily Signals

How Tipping Point East is redefining circular construction in London

A new hub in east London aims to rethink how cities build by embedding material re-use directly into the construction supply chain.
Construction : Sustainability : Future Spaces
Stat: The enshittification of TikTok is creating a widening trust gap with Gen Z

Daily Signals

Stat: The enshittification of TikTok is creating a widening trust gap with Gen Z

Global – Growing scepticism is beginning to reshape how Gen Z engage with the social media platform TikTok.
Social Media : Advertising : Statistic
Pinterest reveals how parents are designing tech-free childhoods

Daily Signals

Pinterest reveals how parents are designing tech-free childhoods

Parents are increasingly seeking ways to raise children away from screens, according to a new parenting trends report from Pinterest.
Parenting : Technology : Childhood
M&S turns compliments into a marketing strategy

Daily Signals

M&S turns compliments into a marketing strategy

Retailer Marks & Spencer is building its positioning around positivity and everyday affirmation with a new campaign encouraging shoppers to sha...
Marketing : Celebrity Endorsements : Retail
Stat: China’s record travel surge signals opportunity for outdoor brands

Daily Signals

Stat: China’s record travel surge signals opportunity for outdoor brands

China’s 2026 Spring Festival generated record-breaking travel and spending, underscoring the scale of domestic mobility and the country’s growing a...
China : Travel : Statistic
Iga Węglińska explores the power of sensory restraint

Daily Signals

Iga Węglińska explores the power of sensory restraint

Designer Iga Węglińska’s Perfect Sense explores how design can recalibrate human perception. The project comprises a series of six masks that inves...
Design : Transhumanism : Senses
Foresight Friday: Martin Raymond, co-founder and editor-in-chief

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday: Martin Raymond, co-founder and editor-in-chief

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, co-founder Martin Ra...
Foresight Friday : Strategic Foresight : The Future Laboratory
Stat: Poor health and education drive female unemployment, new research shows

Daily Signals

Stat: Poor health and education drive female unemployment, new research shows

New research shows young women are increasingly falling out of the workforce in the UK, even as unemployment among young men declines.
Workplace : Unemployment : Women
Heineken turns winter chill into pub footfall with new campaign

Daily Signals

Heineken turns winter chill into pub footfall with new campaign

Heineken has launched a temperature-triggered digital out-of-home campaign designed to guide people out of the cold and into nearby pubs. 
Advertising : Marketing : Campaign
You have 1 free Daily Signals remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN