October saw me getting back to LIVE tastings – remember them? with a ‘Night of Powers’ in the company of Powers Global Brand Ambassador, Derek King, in the Roselawn Inn. No Zoom or fiddling around for glassware tonight. Just out and about & having the craic…like the old days!
We kicked the night off sipping on a Powers Old-Fashioned as Derek regaled us with stories from over 200 years of Powers history. From the early days at 109 Thomas Street, in the Liberties, to the current rebranding of the bottles – Derek brought the story of Powers to life.
James Power was an innkeeper who set-up his small distillery in 1791 on Thomas Street, in the heart of The Liberties. Expansion grew over the years as James’ son John Power – born 1771 – took over the running of the distillery from his father. In 1821, John Power brought his own son James into partnership on the day of his 21st birthday and from then on Powers traded as John Power & Son. Throughout the 19th century, John Power & Son would become one of the ‘Big Four’ producers of pot still whiskey.
In 1886 they became the first Dublin distillery, and one of the first in the world, to bottle their own whiskey AND the first distillery to sell their whiskey in miniature bottles. They had their own fire department on site and even a football team – Powers United FC. Expansion grew over the years but Irish Whiskey struggled (prohibition, war, etc.) especially on the export market. By the 1960s John Power & Son, John Jameson & Son and the Cork Distilleries Company formed Irish Distillers Ltd (IDL) in a last attempt to save Irish whiskey from extinction. In 1976, the John’s Lane Distillery closed its doors in Dublin, and moved production to Midleton, in County Cork.
When the French conglomerate Pernod Ricard acquired IDL in 1988, one particular brand in their portfolio would go on to sell four million cases worldwide in 2012! Their flagship brand would begin to rejuvenate the Irish whiskey category – it wasn’t Powers – but that’s another story for another time!
Whiskeys On The Tasting Mat:
The Gold Label expression was the first whiskey of the night. The flagship from the stable and a classic everyday easy sipper that never disappoints on taste and price – especially when it can be picked up for €18 – €20 in certain supermarkets. Originally a Single Pot Still whiskey, which the John’s Lane Distillery became renowned for. It has now become a blend of triple-distilled pot still and grain whiskeys and is matured in American oak casks with a 40% ABV. My Tasting Notes: Vanilla, honey, cinnamon and citrus spice with a hint of oak on the Nose. Sweet oily mouthfeel with fruits, apples and a hint of white pepper spice on Palate and a medium fading warm Finish.
FUN FACT: Back in the day when most people could not afford a bottle of Gold Label, Powers set out and bottled a 71ml bottle with a tiny corkscrew as the whiskey then was bottled with a cork. Invented in 1889, this became the world’s first miniature bottle of whiskey – ‘The Baby Power’ was born!
Next up, the Three Swallow which was introduced into the portfolio in 2015. Matured in ex-bourbon barrels and a small portion of oloroso sherry casks with a 40% ABV and NAS. My Tasting Notes: Fruits straight away, bananas with hint of peppery spice and oak on Nose. Bolder mouthfeel than the GL, with the Sherry coming through on the Palate. More heat with wood spice and that Sherry note lingering on a fruity longish Finish.
FUN FACT: There are many stories around how the Three Swallow motif was created. Here’s two: (1) Power family coaches were each sent out with three coachmen. On long journeys the men would bring a small flask of whiskey, but just enough liquid to give each man a good gulp (swallow) so he could continue on with his job. (2) The migration of the Irish Swallow signifies the beginning of the distillation season in Ireland, and Powers has throughout its history used two or three swallows to signify the age and quality of their products.
John’s Lane was next up on the tasting mat. A firm favourite of mine and a classic drop in its own right. Released in 2011, Powers wanted to recreate the old style of Pot Still, that was once made in the old Distillery. A much more heavy spirit, aged in ex-bourbon casks along with a little sherry cask ageing. A 12 Year-Old Single Pot Still whiskey with a 46% ABV. My Tasting Notes: Sherry with hint of coffee and chocolate straight away on Nose plus citrus fruits come through. The Palate is soft & smooth with tropical citrus fruits and the signature Powers spicy notes shine through with toffee apples lingering. A long beautiful fruity spice Finish complements the Nose & Palate to the end.
FUN FACT: Staff incentives at the old distillery included annual trips to the beach and worker days out on the Powers family estates. Workers even took to wearing a ‘Diamond P’ pin on their lapel – such was their pride to be part of the Powers family. A job in Powers was a job for life!
Derek brought along a special drop to finish the night off in style! A 19 Year-Old Pot Still whiskey which is a part component of John’s Lane – matured fully in a 1st fill Sherry Butt with a 59.2% ABV. An absolutely stunning drop! My Tasting Notes: Big Sherry note, tobacco, dark chocolate and coffee off the bat. Chewy and spice mouthfeel along with a lingering Finish leaves you wanting more!
A very enjoyable night of tasting as always with Derek, and congrats to Dave O’Connell for organising and getting this event off the ground. Great to see so many people in attendance embrace the history and love of this brand with all proceeds on the night going to St. Francis Hospice.
Until next time…
Sláinte.
WHISKEYORWHISKY 