Two Stacks Double Barrel - Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review

 

Two Stacks Whiskey Co. is a whiskey brand founded in 2020 by Shane McCarthy, Liam Brogan, and Donal McLynn. Before its founding, the trio had been friends for 15 years, sharing a love of Irish hospitality, history, and culture.

 

I’ve had a handful of prior experiences with Two Stacks – all of which have been excellent, including its Dram in a Can offerings. Yeah, they put whiskey in a can, and it is the same whiskey you’ll get from the bottled version. Two Stacks is one of only three independent bonding and blending facilities in Ireland. Before Prohibition hit the United States, there were hundreds.

 

One of the things I admire about Two Stacks is its transparency. They’ll tell you everything you would ever want to know (as well as information you didn’t think of). If you want to geek out, go to the Two Stacks website. Seriously, some of their information reads like a technical paper.

 

Last July, Two Stacks released its Double Barrel – Single Grain Irish whiskey, and I had a chance to review it:

 

“Double Barrel - Single Grain is a classic example of why single-grain whiskeys are worth your attention. Is it similar to a single malt? No, nor should it be. This Irish whiskey provides a flavorful and enticing drinking experience that I found pleasing.”

 

Today, I have the opportunity to dive deep into its Double Barrel – Single Malt. Distilled by Great Northern Distillery in County Louth, this whiskey is made from three different malt types: a peated malt aged in former Bourbon barrels, a triple-distilled malt matured in ex-Oloroso Sherry casks, and a double-distilled malt that rested in ex-Bourbon barrels. It is non-chill filtered, naturally colored, and carries no age statement. I picked up a 700mL bottle at Watertown Wine & Liquor Store in Watertown, Wisconsin, for $39.99.

 

Will Double Barrel – Single Malt continue the very positive experience that I’ve had with Two Stacks Whiskey Co.? The only way to answer that is to #DrinkCurious. Let’s do that now.

 

 

• Whiskey Type: Irish Single Malt
• Distiller: Great Northern Distillery
• Age: NAS
• Mashbill: 100% malted barley (10% peated malt, 50% triple malt, 40% double malt)
• Cooperage: 50% aged in Bourbon casks, 50% aged in Oloroso Sherry casks
• Alcohol Content: 43% ABV (86°)
• Price per 700mL: $39.99
• Non-Chill Filtered
• Naturally Colored

 

Appearance: I poured this Irish whiskey into my Glencairn glass to explore it neat. The liquid inside was brilliant gold. A medium-thick rim produced tight, thick, slow tears that slid back into the pool.

 

Nose: I allowed this whiskey to acclimate for about ten minutes before approaching it further. The aroma was initially a big blast of vanilla, followed quickly by lemon zest, peaches, dried apricots, honey, and a subtle kiss of smoke. When I drew the air through my lips, I found honey and apples.

 

Palate: On the first try, I encountered a whollop of oak and a silky mouthfeel. Subsequent sips revealed graham crackers, caramel, and milk chocolate on the front, with notes of baked apples, hazelnuts, and nutmeg at my mid-palate. The back tasted of smoky oak, earth, and honey.

 

Finish: Smoky oak, baked apples, chocolate, hazelnuts, and caramel carried through for nearly its entirety, with the smoke outlasting them all. It began gently, ramping up slowly with spice. The duration ran 1:31, making for a medium-to-long finish.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust: While only 10% peated malt was involved, I was shocked by how influential it was. I don’t want to infer that Double Barrel – Single Malt is a peaty whiskey because it isn’t. That smoke component does stand out.

 

I also noticed that with each additional sip, the texture gained weight. The silkiness never waned.

 

One of the things that Two Stacks does consistently well is making lower-proofed whiskeys punch well above their stated weights. Double Barrel – Single Malt is no different. While not “hot,” it will warm your mouth and throat. It is flavorful and demonstrates plenty of character.

 

Double Barrel – Single Malt should appeal to Irish whiskey connoisseurs and newbies alike, allowing both to indulge in a delicious pour at an affordable price. There’s nothing not to enjoy; hence my Bottle rating. Cheers!

 

 

My Simple, Easy-to-Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit, but begs you to do so responsibly.