Right here at Nice Drams, we’re all about being revolutionary and imaginative within the spirits enterprise, whereas additionally making whisky/whiskey enjoyable and never taking itself too severely. In my line of labor, I’m blessed in many alternative methods, significantly in that I get to go to distillery after distillery, talking to likeminded people who share our identical passions and beliefs on the subject of whisky.
One in all my favorite distilleries to go to is Northern Eire’s Two Stacks Distillery. Co-founded by Donal McLynn, Liam Brogan, and Shane McCarthy. I really like what the fellows are doing with whiskey over there, and love their relaxed and revolutionary method.
Just lately, Shane McCarthy, one of many firm’s co-founders, participated in a media occasion in anticipation of their newest launch, the place he mentioned the corporate’s radical method to whiskey, the path they’re heading, the state of the Irish whiskey market, and naturally, their newest vary of whiskey.
For many who like their whiskey fruity, revolutionary, and freed from the snobbery and pretentiousness that generally comes with whiskey consuming, you must discover the next very attention-grabbing. Right here’s a fast abstract of what Shane needed to say.
Innovation and Accessibility
At a latest distillery occasion, Shane McCarthy, one in every of Two Stacks Distillery’s co-founders sat down with a lot of visitors and common massive wigs from the world of whiskey, to debate the launch of their new ‘Fruit Drops’ whiskey vary.
The distillery isn’t afraid to push boundaries, and take a look at new issues, which is uncommon on this line of labor. Their distinctive method is obvious in quite a lot of methods. They not too long ago made headlines after they launched the world’s very first Irish whiskey in a can, aptly named ‘Dram in a Can’, alongside a scrumptious Irish whisky cream liqueur.
Over the past decade, the model has loved monumental success, but they imagine they’re nonetheless of their infancy. If that is certainly the case, they might be destined for big issues, and will definitely assist put Irish whiskey again on the map.
In the course of the media occasion, Shane reiterated the truth that they wished to make whiskey revolutionary and accessible for extra individuals. I not too long ago wrote about how whisky/whiskey is the “new gin” and that is yet one more piece of proof to again this up. The drink is turning into extra modern than ever, and as palates and tastes evolve, so too does the method of manufacturing these distinctive drams.
As the corporate desires to make whiskey extra accessible, they’ve gone with flavour profiles that you simply maybe wouldn’t anticipate in a conventional Irish whiskey. For an individual uncertain about whether or not or not they take pleasure in whiskey, ‘Fruit Drops’ would function a incredible gateway to whiskey.
Altering Preferences
In the course of the occasion, Shane talked about how Two Stacks had loved nice success within the Asian market. Their fruit-forward expressions share a whole lot of similarities with Asian whisky drinkers, significantly these in Japan. After sampling their newest dram, you possibly can definitely see the Asian affect, and perceive why it’s such successful in Asia.
Shane additionally spoke in nice element about how whiskey typically isn’t accessible for non-whisky drinkers, and the way the model wished to alter that. He wished to create a whiskey that non-whiskey drinkers might fairly fortunately take pleasure in. Their objective is to carry extra individuals into the whiskey neighborhood and make whiskey enjoyable, with out taking itself too severely.
McCarthy spoke about how whiskey might be divisive, even tribal in nature, just like soccer maybe. Everyone appears to have their favorite, be it Irish whiskey, single-malt Scotch, bourbon, rye, or anything. It nearly feels as if individuals get overly protecting of their favorite drams, which might be stopping them from attempting one thing completely different. Once more, Two Stacks wish to change this. They wish to carry the whiskey neighborhood collectively and unite them.
In the course of the occasion, contributors have been pressed on their preferences with whiskey, with many mentioning how excessive ABVs and cask strengths have been in excessive demand, together with fruitier expressions, ones splendid for cocktails, and drams which might be loved over ice and with completely different mixers equivalent to soda. That is exactly why Two Stacks developed their newest vary.
Two Stacks Fruit Drops Vary
As an unbiased bottler, Two Stacks have been in a position to experiment and take a look at new issues. They differentiated themselves from the competitors and set about creating flavour profiles that might enchantment to not solely seasoned whiskey drinkers, however a wider demographic typically.
The blokes over at Two Stacks labored on this vary for greater than 14 months. It consists of three fruit-heavy expressions, every one coming in at 50% ABV. The three expressions within the vary are made up of: A Blackberry Brandy Cask, an Apple Brandy Cask, and an Apricot Brandy Cask.
The whiskies are created by way of a five-part mix of grain, malt, and pot nonetheless whiskies, which they name the 54321 mix. This distinctive mix consists of 8% pot nonetheless Oloroso Sherry cask aged whiskey, 40% single grain bourbon cask aged whiskey, 40% single grain virgin oak cask aged whiskey, 10% double malt bourbon cask aged whiskey, and at last, 2% peated malt bourbon cask aged whiskey for essentially the most delicate of smoky hits.
The usage of stone fruits has actually helped to set them aside, making a deliciously refreshing and fruity whiskey that may be sipped neat, loved over ice, or combined with soda or every other variety of mixers.
The Blackberry Fruit Brandy Cask delivers darkish fruity notes, with sturdy notes of summer season berry compotes and ripe blackberries, balanced completely delicate caramel and vanilla. The Apple Brandy Cask supplies sturdy crisp orchard fruits, roasted oak, golden caramel, and delicate baking spices. For the Apricot Brandy Cask, which by the way was my favorite, anticipate juicy apricots, vanilla cream, heather honey, sugared almonds, and wealthy marzipan. There’s additionally a touch of citrus zest and charred oak.
Regardless of solely not too long ago releasing, the vary is already proving to be massively standard, and like different releases from the distillery, they are often bought in 700ml bottles, in addition to particular person 10cl cans.
