Powers Irish Rye

This whiskey carries an aroma reminiscent of a bubblegum Irish whiskey, with a pronounced dill scent and some smoke. The taste presents rye, bubblegum, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, banana, and cherry. It then evolves to taste of buttery cookie, malt, smoke, candied sugar, clove, bubblegum, anise, mint, and cherry. The finish consists of multigrain bread, buttery cookie, smoke, vanilla, clove, caramel, cherry, and anise. The mouthfeel is initially very smooth but becomes quite peppery and spicy as it lingers in your mouth. It possesses a richer and oilier texture than Powers Gold Label, but less so than Powers John’s Lane. In summary, it tastes as though Irish whiskey was transformed into a gum flavor. Its flavor intensity is much higher than Powers Gold Label, but I believe those who dislike the herbal and spicy character of rye might not appreciate it. It remains distinct from American ryes, being smoother and much more buttery. I certainly consider it among the best whiskeys in the low $30 range, although I do have a preference for ryes.

The first rye I've bought not produced in North America. Aroma: Savory, spicy, and herbal. Surprising and very different from the sweet, caramel, and caraway notes I'm accustomed to with Canadian/American ryes. Palate: Fruitier and sweeter than the aroma suggested. The rye spice is present but mild. Tastes like Christmas pudding. Finish: Long with subtle oak and tart green apple. Full of flavor yet gentle. Not at all what I expect from 100% rye mashbills. I hope to find more European ryes soon.

A pleasant, vibrant rye aroma fills the glass. Dark oak and young tobacco notes are also detectable on the nose. It has a light body with a somewhat fruity entry. The rye spice is gentle at first but intensifies as the tasting progresses. A fine, woody flavor that is dry but not excessively tannic. The impression is similar to roasted, lightly spiced tree nuts. The finish is medium-long with a subtle mintiness at the end, leaving the lasting impression of an easygoing, approachable spirit perfect for cocktail mixing. A welcome addition to the Powers collection.

My expectations were high and this Rye exceeded them. It possesses a simple elegance. It has a rye kick, but not like an American rye; instead, it arrives with nice notes of spice and gentle warmth. When I sample it neat, it has a sweet apple finish, but over ice, it finishes with a peaty/earthy note. So, not the most intricate flavor profile, but a very good sipper.

This was enjoyable for what it is: a lower-tier experiment with rye from Midleton. It was decent and easy to drink but didn't astound me. As might be expected, it lacks typical American Rye spice and instead offers slightly fruity and sweet notes. I likely wouldn't purchase a bottle myself, but I would order it at a bar for a change of pace sometimes.

Taste: Begins with mild graham cracker and vanilla at the start. Concludes with rye spice and some fruitiness. The flavor is subtle, but it drinks smoothly. Appearance: Golden with a slight orange hue. Smell: The aroma is rather mild, but the discernible notes are fruity and yeast-forward (orange and bubblegum).