Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey
80 Proof
Price Point: $15 – $25 for 750 ML
Distiller: John Power & Son
Background
Ireland has a lot of iconic brands that are known worldwide (I outline some of them in a previous post). Powers Gold Label is one of those, and one that you may think is just another Irish whiskey not worth trying. Even the packaging downplays the whiskey – the three birds on the label indicate that the drinker should not sip this whiskey, but rather finish the glass in “three swallows”.
Review
The nose is distinctively Powers – a pot still characteristic comes through strongly. It’s not necessarily smoky; maybe charcoal?
The taste is actually pretty flavorful (surprising for an Irish, right?). Powers is a step above the average Irish. It’s malty, dark and deep, and pretty interesting.
This stuff is the closest Irish to a Scotch in terms of finish – bravo Powers!
Rating & Recommendations
I enjoy this whiskey, probably more than I thought I would, which is why I rate it a solid 82 out of 100.
Powers Gold Label is one of the better Irish whiskeys, and hardly a whiskey to finish in “three swallows”.
-Ryan
2 comments
3 pings
I love single malt scotch typically, but this Powers gold label really suprised me. The aroma and the flavor is terrific. I would recommend it to any scotch drinker. It’s especially fun, because my name is on the label.
It was my go to whisky for most of the 1990-2000’s when I could get it for $8-12 but now in Pa the price is $28. I agree it has the same quality of the better scotches without the peak reek, which for my taste buds is a huge plus. It has to be one of the richest and smoothest Whiskies I have ever had but….. I am cheap. Compared to many other highly marketed whiskey’s, Powers is almost worth the high price. Especially, at a time when most are just a shell game in a fantasy bottle cased with this and that flavoring….including the flavoring of old barrel Whiskey. As ridiculously trendy and expensive as most all Whiskey’s are right now, California and Argentinian Brandy….well I can get used to it as a fine libation at $12-14. …least until the price of Whiskey comes down. Remember when Calvados and Barolo, and Vouvrays were dirt cheap and I.W. Harper was a fine Bourbon at $2.19 a bottle. LOL
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