Powers Gold Label Tasting Notes

	Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey
	Midleton Distillery
	Blended Irish Whiskey
	40% in Europe, 43.2% in U.S. (Tasted at 40%)

 

Tasting note compiled by Mark McLaughlin (@mark_whiskey)

 

Introduction

Originally hailing from the famed John’s Lane Distillery in Dublin, Powers is a critical brand in Midleton Distillery’s portfolio. Many of you will know that throughout the past century you’d find households throughout Ireland that would have a preferred whiskey of choice, ‘we’re a Jameson house’ or ‘you’ll only find Powers here’ or ‘we’ve always favored a Paddy’. However, in truth, right up until 2008, Powers Gold Label reigned supreme as the best-selling whiskey in Ireland, only surpassed by the marketing power-house that is Jameson.

Powers Gold Label was one of the first ‘brands’ established in the late 1800’s when the common practice was to sell whiskey by the cask rather than by the bottle. This forward thinking approach by the Powers family set them up for global success at the time. Nowadays, Powers can be considered the forgotten brother to Jameson, but with a recent re-brand and new distribution in the US, expect to see its presence grow.

Powers Gold Label is a blend of Pot Still & Grain whiskeys matured exclusively in ex-bourbon casks. The pot still distillate for Powers takes an extremely refined hearts cut, with a lot of re-fill casks used to allow the spirit itself to shine through.

 

Color

Golden Amber.

 

Nose (Aromas)

Wonderfully full bouquet with clear dustings of spice like cinnamon and clove. This is followed by an abundance of sweetness, vanilla, toffee and butterscotch. There’s a hint of fruity character but overall smells wonderfully complex.

 

Palate & Finish 

Always textural, mouth coating, oily and round. There’s fleshy peach, apples and pears with lots of vanilla, toasted wood and soft spices. It’d quickly trick you into thinking it is a pot still whiskey if tasted blind, but when considered, you can detect the balancing soft sweetness of the grain. The finish is all about honeyed spice.

 

Verdict

I’m not sure how to sum-up my opinion on this, I feel this is what blended whiskey should be about, layers, complexity, an identity that is instantly recognizable and stands on its own. This could quite simply be one of the best Irish Whiskeys ever made. But take all that with a pinch of salt, as I grew up in a Powers house!

 

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EU/UK/US shipping

EU/UK shipping

 

 

 

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