Imperial Coffee Finish from Two Stacks Irish Whiskey

Two Stacks Irish Whiskey in Northern Ireland has launched Smoke and Mirror – Imperial Coffee Finish (ABV56% Cask Strength), a single malt collaboration of coffee roasting, beer brewing and whiskey blending.

The highly innovative whiskey has been developed at Killowen Distillery in Rostrevor, county Down with Dot Brewing and Imbibe Coffee, both based in Dublin.

The release is first collaborative effort from Two Stacks, according to Shane McCarthy, a director of Two Stacks. “Our aim was to merge the world of craft beer and whiskey by selecting an ex-bourbon barrel previously playing host to one of Dot’s delicious Imperial milk stouts; allowing us to amplify those deep sweet coco notes and rich malty textures found in Smoke & Mirrors,” he explains.

“Access to the finest coffee; sourced directly from Imbibe Coffee Roasters, next door to Dot, provided a unique opportunity to create something truly wonderful,” he adds. “Before disgorging the barrel, we requested Dot to soak freshly roasted coffee beans through the 11 percent ABV stout for several weeks.”

He continues: “Barrel emptied and delivered to Killowen, it was ready for its final act. Filling the entirety of the cask with peated single malt in late December 2020. The long, cold winter months provided ample time for those beautiful flavours to gently envelop the whiskey.

“The combination of finishing time and quality of cask has elevated Smoke and Mirrors to new heights, both in complexity and quality. Its intriguing yet perplexing, a fun and captivating cask strength whiskey deserving of your full attention.”

Each bottle of the Smoke & Mirrors - Imperial Coffee Finish has been hand filled at 56% ABV and produced 282 bottles total, offering non-chill filter or any added colouring.