Two Stacks Single Grain Double Barrel
Irish Whiskey
43% ABV
$45 (700 mL) / $7 ($100 mL ‘Dram in a Can’)
Website
We would like to thank Two Stacks Whiskey and Raptor Communications for sending us a sample to review.
What the Producer Says
Two Stacks Shines Spotlight on Often-Overlooked Irish Whiskey Category with Single Grain Double Barrel Release
Second Two Stacks Irish Whiskey Now Available Nationwide Through Foley Distribution Network, Including Popular “Dram in A Can”
SANTA ROSA, CA (June 25, 2025) – Whiskey innovator Two Stacks is looking to give a traditionally second-fiddle Irish whiskey its well-deserved spot center stage with Two Stacks Single Grain Double Barrel, the latest offering now available nationwide through importer Foley Family Wines & Spirits. This is the first Two Stacks offering in the Irish Grain Whiskey category and it has already been awarded Best Single Grain: NAS (Ireland) and Best Single Grain <21Years (Ireland) at the World Whiskies Awards and a Gold Medal at the Ascot Awards. It is available in both a 700 ml bottle and the unique 100 ml Dram in a Can.
As one of only three recognized whiskey bonders in Ireland when there used to be hundreds before the 1930s, Two Stacks is constantly on the hunt for traditional Irish whiskeys that will offer something beyond the ordinary, delving deep into heritage and lore. Two Stacks Single Grain Double Barrel exceptionally showcases the versatility and unexpected refinement of Irish Grain Whiskey, a very traditional style of whiskey most often used as a blending component. Here, the precise blending and double barrel aging allows this flavorful whiskey to step into the spotlight with exceptional character and value.
“I think a lot of folks in Ireland thought we were mad when we told them we were coming out with an Irish Grain Whiskey,” said Two Stacks Co-Founder Liam Brogan. “We were confident with the right blend and aging/finishing we could produce something rather sophisticated and unexpected that honored the legacy of this workhorse stalwart in Irish whiskey history.”
While not as historically entrenched as the famed Single Pot Still whiskeys of the 18th and 19th centuries, the single grain style gained momentum with the advent of column stills in the mid-1800s. However, it wasn’t until the establishment of Cooley Distillery in 1987 and The Great Northern Distillery in 2015 (both founded by John Teeling, David Hynes, and Jim Finn) that the style truly came into its own in modern Ireland. The whiskey from those distilleries is blended and bonded for this bottling.
Two Stacks Single Grain Double Barrel starts with a mashbill of 94% maize and 6% Irish malted barley. The technical file for Irish Grain Whiskey requires that it is produced with malted barley (not exceeding 30%) and includes un-malted cereal grains, in this case corn. The small, but impactful, inclusion of 6% Irish malted barley brings subtle richness, enhancing the creamy, honeyed sweetness of the maize.
The distillate is first aged for 3-5 years in former bourbon barrels, followed by 1-3 years in Oloroso sherry casks, both in a traditional Irish rickhouse on the Cooley Peninsula. The dual maturation imparts layered notes of vanilla, coconut, dried fruits, and baking spices—resulting in an 86-proof whiskey that is light, elegant and nuanced.
Two Stacks was founded in 2020 by three friends, Shane McCarthy, Liam Brogan and Donal McLynn, whose friendship began over 15 years ago, rooted in a shared love of Irish hospitality and a deep passion for Irish history & culture. Their singular goal of changing the narrative on Irish Whiskey would be achieved by reaching into Ireland’s deep whiskey roots and putting real people back into the fine art of Irish Whiskey making to create complex, sophisticated blends capable of challenging any Whiskey in the world.
In addition to a 700 ml sustainable bottle made from 100% recycled glass ($44.99 MSRP), Single Grain Double Barrel is also available in a ground-breaking 100 ml Dram in a Can ($6.99 MSRP). Both products may also be purchased online https://twostackswhiskey.com/. The recyclable aluminum can provides added convenience for those wanting to enjoy a high-quality whiskey on the go. With the new embossed bottles, Two Stacks was one of the first spirit brands in the world to use 80% recycled glass, along with all-natural cork and recycled plastic seals.
Simple Tasting Notes
Nose: Sweet vanilla, toasted oak, honey, and light caramel
Palate: Smooth and creamy with hints of butterscotch, spice, and orchard fruits
Finish: Soft, lingering sweetness with a touch of spice
What Gary Says
Nose: Soft, subtle, honey, apricot, vanilla, pear, golden raisins and a bit of almond.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, honey, apricots, candied orange, cherries, baked pears and apples with a light cinnamon dusting.
Finish: Moderate in length, damp with vanilla, canned fruit salad and subtle spice notes.
Comments: Only my second Two Stacks offering (enjoyed Two Stacks The First Cut Signature Blend Irish Whiskey), and I like this one even better! Grain whisk(e)y tends to be more delicate and subtle than malt whisk(e)y, and while this is subtle – compared to a lot of grain whiskey this has got a solid intensity of flavor and depth. I think what is all the more impressive to me is that it achieves this as a non-age stated 43% ABV dram! This leans into that subtlety without sacrificing flavor, and enough fruit and spice to keep me wanting more. If you’ve given up on grain whisk(e)y for being too dull, this one might change your mind – and at least offers a nice contrast.
Rating: Stands Out/Must Try
