In the midst of what often feels like a never-ending calm, the team at Two Stacks consistently delivers, shaking up the whiskey world with each new release. While they do bring out premium whiskies from time to time, it’s the new Polaris releases that every Two Stacks enthusiast eagerly anticipates. And honestly, who can blame them? These releases have garnered critical acclaim, but with such high praise comes the challenge of maintaining that lofty standard. The pressure is certainly on.

It’s crucial not to overlook what Two Stacks have been up to lately—they’re certainly not ones to rest on their whiskey-soaked laurels. While I previously touched on some of their releases, one standout is their special edition whiskey crafted for the Temple Bar in Dublin. This 8-year-old Single Malt, finished in Cabernet Franc Ice Wine casks and bottled at 50% ABV, is a testament to their craftsmanship. However, what’s truly captivating about this release is the artwork on the label. Two Stacks have developed a real knack for eye-catching designs and branding, filling a noticeable gap in the Irish whiskey market with their unique visual identity.

Beyond their whiskey releases, Two Stacks is boldly exploring another untapped area. Who hasn’t wandered through an airport duty-free section, hoping to find a great selection of Irish whiskies, only to be disappointed by the mundane options? I know I have. While things have been slowly improving, Two Stacks Whiskey has made a significant leap by launching across all World Duty Free airports in the UK. From Heathrow to Gatwick, Manchester to Glasgow, their presence is now felt in these major hubs. This is a remarkable achievement and deserves serious recognition for their ability to seize this opportunity.

Equally impressive is their seemingly never-ending stream of can releases. What began as a modest 2-3 can range has now evolved into exclusive can releases accompanying each new whiskey offering. This even included a 21-year-old single grain for Belfast Whiskey Week. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this truly is top-tier innovation, combining quality with cost-effectiveness—a crucial consideration in today’s cost of living crisis. And it seems we can expect a can release for this Polaris as well, which will certainly make it accessible across all price points.

Now, let’s circle back to the Polaris release. I’ve always been a huge fan of this series, and I happen to have about 20ml of Polaris 1.2 stashed away in my cupboard. Ever since it won Irish Whiskey of the Year, I’ve been hesitant to finish it—so it’s been teasing me, leaving me wanting more. The news of the Polaris 3.1 release has finally made it easier to consider finishing that last precious drop. What’s particularly exciting about this new release is that it’s the first time a Polaris whiskey has been peated. Additionally, it’s the youngest Polaris yet (albeit the strongest), a 5-year-old malt. Like the Temple Bar edition, this one has also been aged in a Cabernet Franc Ice Wine cask, adding another layer of intrigue. These are big changes to an already established whiskey series, what is the result……? Here we go.

Two Stacks Polaris 3.1

Price: £69 for the bottle. £10 for a can

ABV: 59.59%

Nose: beautiful nose, initial peaty nose, subtle but inviting like light cigar smoke. There’s herbal notes through, cinnamon, clove and peppermint. Light petrichor throughout too. Green grapes, pink lady apples and lime zest. There’s almost a saltiness to it too.  Beautiful complexity already.

Palate: HELLO PEAT SMOKE. Comes through exponentially, and keeps on going. Other notes like the clove and peppermint feature but the smoke is the star. Not overwhelming, it’s finely balanced with sweetness too. Smokey apple Astro belts, fizzy cherries and red cream soda. There’s spicy redcurrant jam too with a dash of vanilla cream. Such an incredible texture too, full fat and chewable.

Finish: stale smoke after the palate dies down, fades so slightly and intriguingly. Cigar ash and Smokey penny toffees.

Summary

Well, if the goal was to maintain the standard, I’d say it’s been not just upheld but absolutely smashed out of the park. Based on the notes mentioned earlier, one might expect Polaris 3.1 to be a peat bomb, but that’s not quite the case. While peat plays a significant role, the real magic lies in the balance achieved by the sweeter notes from the Cabernet Franc Ice Wine cask. This interplay has resulted in an exceptional whiskey. Each time I tasted it, new notes and layers emerged, offering a complex experience worth savouring. I’m thrilled they chose to go the peated route with this release. While some might see this as a risky move, it’s a decision that’s been expertly navigated—much like the whiskey’s namesake itself.

But seriously, how is this even a 5-year-old whiskey? Typically, you’d expect some of those harsh, youthful notes to come through, but there’s absolutely none of that here. Any rough edges have been expertly smoothed out, showcasing the cask management skills of the Two Stacks team. It really makes you wonder—if they can achieve this level of quality with such a young spirit, just imagine what they could do with older ones… (I feel like I’ve been saying that a lot lately *cough* Killowen *cough*).

This release is a real statement of intent from the team at Two Stacks. While I previously mentioned a lull in standout whiskey offerings, this release carries all the hallmarks of a game-changer. As I’m still basking in the success of their ‘Pillars of Creation,’ this new addition further solidifies their reputation as top-class bottlers and blenders—if that wasn’t already abundantly clear.

Score: 8.5/10

Disclosure: 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.