Powers Three Swallow Single Pot Still

This is a long overdue follow-up to my review of the John’s Lane that I could only guess that I wrote about 5 years ago. That truly was a top tier Irish whiskey. While I don’t have the same expectations for this one, it does hail from the same line, so I’m hoping it makes an impression nonetheless. Nose: Honey, toffee, vanilla, and shortbread cookie. Apricot, apple, and pear. Vanilla frosting. Walnut and toasted almond. Some banana and pineapple. Welch’s White Grape Juice. Black pepper, clove, and nutmeg. Palate: More of the honey, toffee, vanilla, and shortbread cookie, backed up by some caramel, brown sugar, and toasted almond. Golden raisin and plum. Date and fig. Some dark grape and raspberry. Pineapple. Custard. Some more of that Welch’s White Grape. Orange citrus, pear, apricot, apple. Floral notes. Finish: Toffee, honey, and malt. Vanilla, milk chocolate, and caramel. Grape, date, fig, and raisin. Pineapple. A nice cinnamon burn. Clove, nutmeg, and oak. Moderate length. Solid. It’s a fun Irish whiskey that plays to the average Scotch drinker’s enjoyment of a bourbon-aged, sherry-finished malt. Only this time it’s a Pot Still. This carries the flagship Powers flavor profile, though the Olorosso presence provides a nice layer to the otherwise mild confectionary profile that Powers puts forward. I prefer this to the Gold. The Olorosso adds an element of depth that gives this the edge over the entry-level offering. But at almost double the price, my score for the Gold is slightly higher when factoring VFM. It should go without saying that this doesn’t hold a candle to the John’s Lane. Enjoyable whiskey nonetheless and solid in its own right. 3.75/5.

A poor man's... Powers Gold! The nose is very similar, a little watered down on the palate.

Of you like irish whiskey then youll love this. Great alternative to green spot.

Caramel, butterscotch, creme brulee, lemon peel, sour apple candy, tar, licquorice on the nose. Sherry cask, banana, caramel. Complex and delicious, but slightly sharp. Could use some more ageing.