It’s often said that in life, there are three certainties: death, taxes, and Two Stacks reviews. Well, perhaps the third is only true for the Water of Life. Nevertheless, one undeniable truth remains – Two Stacks has embarked on a mission as of late. Staying abreast of their latest releases has grown to be as challenging as attempting to review them! Indeed, writing about their products is a task that never lacks for material. Each day heralds something fresh and exciting for Shane, Donal, and Liam, whether it’s a new release, a ground-breaking venture, or a game-changing business deal.

Where should we begin? Since my last Two Stacks review back in July, I’ve counted no less than nine new releases from this dynamic bunch. Of course, I’m open to correction by the eagle-eyed members of the Two Stacks Nation, but here’s my take: We’ve seen “Pump up the Jam,” a 20-year-old single-grain pear brandy cask expression, a pineapple brandy cask edition, a 5-year-old single malt black strap rum cask finish, and a single pot still cabernet franc red ice wine finish, a 4-year-old single pot still pineapple brandy cask ‘BIG ONE’, a single grain double barrelled MP Walsh edition, a single grain Grand Cru pink champagne finished whiskey and finally a warehouse exclusive apricot brandy cask finish. That is truly an impressive line-up! Yet, oddly enough, this review won’t be focussing on any of these. To touch on the ‘Pump up the Jam’ release, the raspberry brandy cask finished whiskey also made its way into their extremely popular cans, another first for Two Stacks selling a cask strength whiskey in a can.

Notably, for a select few of their releases, Two Stacks has enlisted the talents of Frankie B, a local artist whose knack for bottle dipping whiskey bottles is nothing short of artistically brilliant. It all began with their ‘BIG ONE’ releases, initially exclusive to the Friends of Irish Whiskey group, and this artistic collaboration has since extended its influence to encompass the warehouse exclusive and the coveted ‘Pump up the Jam’ edition, commissioned by the Two Stacks Nation. What becomes strikingly evident is that the art of bottle dipping not only reflects the essence of Two Stacks but also aligns seamlessly with their principles—innovation, eye-catching aesthetics, and the art of embracing uniqueness.

In addition to their whiskey, Two Stacks has expanded their repertoire to include a wide array of merchandise. From hoodies to socks, there’s virtually nothing left unbranded by the Two Stacks label. It’s almost as if everything in your possession whispers, “Welcome to the Two Stacks Nation,” a group which has grown astronomically to 1.1k followers.

The gents over at Two Stacks have certainly not been resting on their whiskey making laurels either. Their focus has been unwavering when it comes to spreading the gospel of Two Stacks. Most notably, you might have heard the buzz or even glimpsed the headlines: Two Stacks has inked a significant deal with none other than Tesco, allowing them to grace the shelves with their two variations of ‘Dram in a Can’ and their Double Irish Cream Liqueur. Tesco, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains with a global presence, provides an extensive market reach. Partnering with Tesco grants Two Stacks access to a diverse customer base, greatly expanding their brand’s visibility and sales potential. This collaboration offers the enticing prospect of increased sales and tapping into a wider audience. Furthermore, the association with Tesco enhances Two Stacks’ brand recognition and credibility, as consumers tend to trust products available at established supermarkets, lending the whiskey brand an air of trustworthiness.

This marks a monumental milestone for the team; the widespread presence of their products can only serve to magnify the visibility of this well-liked brand. Although, if I may confess a touch of selfishness, I find myself hoping that their whiskies don’t attract too much attention. It’s becoming increasingly challenging to secure a bottle when they make their offerings available through online platforms let alone via a supermarket giant!

Apart from the nine new releases that have generated such excitement, there are a couple I’ve been meaning to review for a while. Just before my last review, there was an exclusive Canadian release—a Maple Syrup cask finished whiskey. Luckily for us, a second batch has made its way to the UK. In a thoughtful gesture for comparison, Donal kindly reached out and provided a sample from the first batch. A welcome instalment in the much lauded ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ series, these two releases are crafted by combining double-distilled malt and triple-distilled peated malt, both aged in ex-bourbon casks, and then blending them with triple-distilled malt that has matured in ex-bourbon oak before receiving a finishing touch in ex-Imperial stout barrels.

But as a special treat, I’ll also be reviewing an entirely distinct and as-yet-unreleased whiskey, a Grand Marnier cask finish. This whiskey, generously gifted by Shane, promises to be truly unique, but as always, the proof is the pudding, or should I say rather ‘… in the dram.’

Two Stacks Irish Whiskey Maple Syrup Stout Finish Batch 2

ABV: 56.4%

Price: £61 from the Umbrella Project

Nose: a rich and alluring veil of smoky essence. Notes of smoky bacon crisps and pub-style bacon rashers emerge. A delicate note of aniseed adds another complex layer. Finally, it crescendos into a luscious symphony reminiscent of indulgent boozy tiramisu.

Palate: A powerful wave of smokiness accompanied by an abundance of sweet honey notes. It is akin to savouring smoky bacon drenched in rich maple syrup, all while maintaining a hearty maltiness reminiscent of stout. Its texture is a work of art, striking with its intensity, and it unveils subtle hints of chili-infused chocolate that gradually transition into an espresso shot. A warm caramel sauce adds an inviting touch, and an infusion of spice, featuring cinnamon and a touch of peppermint, lends extra layers of complexity and depth.

Finish: an abundance of rich tobacco notes intertwined with the essence of cigar smoke.

Score: 7/10

Two Stacks Irish Whiskey Maple Syrup Stout Finish Batch 1

ABV: 48%

Price: $103 Canadian dollars, but currently sold out.

Nose:  A delicate blend of light honey, maple syrup and velvety caramel embraces the senses with its mellowness. There’s subtle hints of a floral perfume intertwine with almost an element of freshness. There’s a delightful fruity essence, akin to burnt clementine peel. The nosing then reveals an unmistakable warmth of cinnamon and a subtle dash of nutmeg.

Palate: bold and intense, smoky notes of flavour not unlike caramelised bacon rashers and roast chicken crisps. The spice profile of this spirit is nothing short of phenomenal, with the warmth of cinnamon, clove, and a subtle kick of chilli, all in perfect balance. The texture offers a mouthfeel that is almost chewable. There’s also a delightful undertone of a cigar box note that weaves its way throughout.

Finish: rich and velvety stout; lots of creaminess. A subtle hint of lingering smoke adds depth, providing a delightful balance. An explosion of warm spices, with cinnamon taking the lead, while a touch of chilli chocolate reveals itself to finish.

Score: 8/10

Two Stacks Irish Whiskey Grand Mariner cask finished

ABV: ????

Price: shut up and take my money…..

Nose: Opens with a burst, this whiskey unveils a beautiful essence of orange peel and vibrant citrus zest, accompanied by subtle white grape. Velvety honey combines with the aniseed, creating complexity. There’s an abundance of succulent fruit; the essence of ripe peach balances effortlessly with the fruit-infused boiled sweets.

Palate: the initial sip unveils a burst of vibrant blood oranges. However, the texture is like Terry’s Chocolate Orange, which adds a layer of indulgence to the flavour profile. There’s also a delicate note of orange zest alongside a subtle hint of zesty lime. There’s a beautiful balance of spices, with both aniseed and cinnamon emerging. It’s expertly balanced without overpowering, feels so refined.

Finish: lots of aniseed warmth, still the remnants of orange notes coming through. Lots of quality street orange or fry’s chocolate orange coming through beautifully.

Score: 8/10

Summary

Oh, how I love doing a Two Stacks review, where innovative cask-strength whiskey truly thrives. I’d been keeping a close watch on the maple syrup cask finish for quite some time, and when they unveiled batch 2, it became an obvious addition to my collection. To my delight, it exceeded my expectations in every way. The smoky essence, entwined with savoury nuances is brilliant, while the smokey bacon undertones are just delightful.

I don’t typically indulge in different batch reviews due to what I perceive as minor variations in flavour. However, this tasting proved to be an entirely different realm. It exudes a greater sense of refinement, boasting an increased depth of flavour, and an abundance of both spice and sweetness. The only lamentable aspect was that my 100ml sample seemed to disappear far too quickly.

Now on to the Grand Marnier cask. This was something else, an absolute beauty. Two Stacks claim to be the purveyors of innovation and I can’t really argue against that, this is something I don’t think has been done before, and I’m not sure why after tasting this. The range of flavours is absurdly good, the variety of orange notes with the spice and more sweetness is just incredible, it’s so complex and intriguing. I think this might be released next year as a special single cask bottling; therefore, it will be very interesting to see how an extra few months in a such a unique cask does for this!

Overall, yet another stellar performance from the talented folks at Two Stacks. I have a feeling their momentum isn’t going to wane anytime soon.

Disclosure: As stated, the sample that informed this article was provided to the Water of Life team by Two Stacks free of charge. Two Stacks has not had any other input into this article, nor has the Water of Life team relinquished any editorial control