In 1966, with the Irish whiskey industry still struggling following Prohibition in the United States, the Anglo-Irish Trade War and the rise of competition from Scotch whiskey, John Power & Son joined forces with the only other remaining distillers in the Irish Republic, the Cork Distilleries Company and their Dublin rivals John Jameson & Son, to form Irish Distillers. Soon after, in a bold move, Irish Distillers decided to close all of their existing distilleries, and to consolidate production at a new purpose-built facility in Midleton (the New Midleton Distillery) alongside their existing Old Midleton Distillery. The new distillery opened in 1975, and a year later, production ceased at John's Lane Distillery and began anew in Cork, [1] with Powers Gold Label and many other Irish whiskeys reformulated from single pot stills whiskeys to blends. As the distillery grew, so too did the stature of the family. In 1841, John Power, grandson of the founder was awarded a baronetcy, a hereditary title. [6] In 1855, his son Sir James Power, laid the foundation stone for the O'Connell Monument, [3] and in 1859 became High Sheriff of Dublin. [7] OVERALL: I’ve been a fan of Irish whiskey for about 20 years but have never drank a lot of it. During that time however, I have thoroughly enjoyed having a pour from time to time. My favorites include Jameson Rarest Vintage, Redbreast Cask Strength and Power’s John Lane 12 Year.

Powers 12 year old reserve, Powers Three Swallow, Powers Signature Release, Powers John's Lane Release, Powers Irish RyeAn abundance of earthy aromas, leather, tobacco with layers of charred wood, dark chocolate and treacle toffee. During this period, when the Dublin whiskey distilleries were amongst the largest in the world, the family-run firms of John Power, along with John Jameson, William Jameson, and George Roe, (collectively known as the "Big Four") came to dominate the Irish distilling landscape, introducing several innovations. In 1886, John Power & Son began bottling their own whiskey, rather than following the practice customary at the time, of selling whiskey directly to merchants and bonders who would bottle it themselves. [9] They were the first Dublin distillery to do so, and one of the first in the world. [1] [2] A gold label adorned each bottle and it was from these that the whiskey got the name Powers Gold Label.

Powers Three Swallow Release, 43.2%, single pot still, matured mainly in ex-Bourbon casks, with some input of whiskey matured in Oloroso Sherry casks [13] The original Powers Irish whiskey range owners and producers were really keen on the development of Ireland as a whole, and especially the agricultural side of it, not just for his product but to bring the whole country along with him as a prosperous nation and to empower workers to be better, to know their trade well and to survive the harsh economic and social landscape at the time. a b c d Barnard, Alfred (1887). The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. London: The Proprietors of Harper's Weekly Gazette. Account of Number of Gallons of Wash distilled in Scotland and Ireland, 1826-27". HMSO. 18: 447–450. 1828 – via Enhanced British Parliamentary Papers on Ireland (EPPI).

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Toasted oak wrapped with honey sweetness that gently recedes, leaving the distillate-led nature of the spirit to endure until the end. You may have noticed in my notes, solder smoke, and you are probably thinking “what?” When I was 15, I bought a Heathkit Short Wave Radio. Heathkit sold electronic products such as radios, stereos, etc., that had to be assembled. I remember my Dad helping me put this together. Since soldering was required, solder smoke was present both in the air and in the mouth and it has a tendency to linger. Every once in a while with Powers John's Lane I get that same note on the nose and the palate. It makes me think of my Dad and our time spent putting that radio together. Cheers Dad! BRAND NOTES As a brand and a set of products, Powers Irish whiskey range is well loved by older generations in the domestic market, and as such has seen its relevance and former market prowess shrivel over the years since Jameson overtook Powers’ sales volume in and around the year 2000, where prior to that it had been number one in the domestic market. More recently, in 2015, Powers Signature Release won a gold medal in the category Irish Single Pot Still Whiskey at the Irish Whiskey Awards. [17] See also [ edit ] Malt and silken caramel effortlessly glide out of the glass accompanied by honey, candied fruit, sweet pipe tobacco, fruit cake and something that resembles a sherry sweetness without being a sherry aroma. It’s light and easy while maintaining a very rich character.