Two Stacks Smoke & Mirrors whiskey review

The Smoke & Mirrors whiskey shines a light on peat, which is under-represented in Irish whiskey. Here, Two Stacks has moved away from blending with pot still and grain, and instead gone entirely with single malts. Three parts is a peated, triple-distilled single malt aged in bourbon casks; one part double-distilled single malt aged in first-fill bourbon casks; and the last six parts are triple-distilled and finished in casks used to age imperial stout.

As Two Stacks eschews colouring (and chill-filtering), the whiskey is a lighter gold than a turn in a stout barrel might suggest. On the nose, there’s a good hit of peat and roast coffee, then a softer chocolate note. Adjusting to that, you'll pick up fruits: apple, pear, some tropical elements and a creamy sweetness. To drink, the smoke and roasty side are more delicate than expected and the creaminess allies with the chocolate, as the fruit tends toward baked and luscious. Vanilla, clove and cinnamon add interest. The finish is more smooth chocolate, coffee roastiness and dark, dried fruit – the smoke lingers on a while.

Highly enjoyable, this is a delightful Irish whiskey, with enough depth to marry to a peat side and have neither lose out.

While this is very much a whiskey that can sipped neat, it would also work well in a black manhattan cocktail.

• Buy now from Spirits Kiosk (£44.95), Master of Malt (£44.95)

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