Powers John's Lane 12 Year Single Pot Still

My previous rating for this was less than enthusiastic a few years ago. A couple of factors. I'm a far more experienced drinker now (whether that's a positive is debatable), the last sample was from a bar pour, and it was an older bottling. The Irish whiskey landscape has also shifted recently. Redbreast 12 is becoming pricier, harder to source, and has, in my opinion, seen a decline in quality (something about the Sherry casks...). Yellow Spot, another 12-year-old from Middleton, costs $110 where I am. However, Powers 12 remains $60-70, is 46% ABV, and is non-chill filtered. Wouldn't you agree that warrants a second look? If you're a fan of single pot still whiskey, you'll likely adore this. The nose is rich with aromatic baking spices, toffee apple, and tonight, I'm even detecting a hint of cardamom. The taste (with approximately 4 mL of water) possesses considerable depth and richness, featuring milk chocolate, Manuka honey, and baked apples. It's the essence of autumn in a glass. Being non-chill filtered provides a rich, coating mouthfeel that extends the finish for a minute or more. Fantastic. If you're struggling to find affordable Redbreast and don't want to spend the money for one of the premium Spot series, reconsider this one. It's currently a relative hidden gem, produced in the same stills as those other drams, but offering either superior presentation or value. Cheers!

My previous assessment of this pour was not very positive a while ago. Several factors are involved. My palate has matured considerably since then (if that's an improvement is debatable), the prior tasting was at a bar, and it involved an older bottling. The landscape of Irish whiskey has also shifted recently. Redbreast 12 is increasing in price, becoming more scarce, and in my opinion, its quality has declined somewhat (perhaps related to the Sherry casks…). Yellow Spot, another 12-year-old from Middleton, costs $110 in my area. However, Powers 12 remains $60-70, bottled at 46% ABV, and is not chill filtered. I believe it warrants a second evaluation, don't you? Fans of single pot still whiskey will find this very appealing. The aroma presents strong notes of warm baking spices, caramel apple, and tonight, I even detect a hint of cardamom. The palate, enhanced by approximately 4 mL of water, reveals considerable depth and richness, with flavors of milk chocolate, Manuka honey, and baked apples. It evokes the essence of autumn. Due to its non-chill filtered nature, it possesses a substantial, coating mouthfeel that prolongs the finish for at least a minute. Fantastic. For those struggling to find reasonably priced Redbreast or unwilling to spend heavily on the premium Spot range, consider revisiting this option. It's currently an underappreciated gem, made using the same stills as those other spirits, but offering either superior presentation or value. Enjoy!

The aroma includes vanilla cream, butterscotch, sweet bread, nutmeg, white pepper, and a subtle hint of generic citrus. There's an elusive herb, possibly sage. Oak influence is barely perceptible. It has decent strength and is completely free of ethanol. It's warm and welcoming. The palate begins with more pronounced vanilla cream, cereal grains, butter, poppyseed muffin, clover honey, chocolate malt, and golden raisins. A pleasant linseed oil note adds vibrancy. The flavors are more intense than the proof suggests. The medium-length finish offers the promised butterscotch, along with cake frosting, pineapple, and a subtle sweet oak. The texture is slick and creamy. Remarkable spirit. If its quality were more widely known, it would sell out rapidly. Priced at $80, it's appropriate for a 12-year-old of this caliber. It might fall slightly short of the top-tier 'Breast' and 'Spot' whiskies, but it's very good nonetheless. I would purchase it again.

Open 3 months Nose - Honey crisp apples, caramel, stewed peaches, light raspberry, lemon bars, and light ethanol. Palate - Oily sweet malt, lemon custard, apple pie, wildflower honey, and dried berries. Finish is medium-long with drier, sharp malt and white pepper notes, Honey Nut Cheerios, red wine tannins, and a little ethanol kick. This is incredibly pleasing, especially the aroma. Since it's only 92 proof, it's light and sweet on the palate. At least it has some body compared to other Irish whiskeys, but I would love to experience this at cask strength. If you've ever watched a YouTube video or read a blog about trying nicer Irish whiskey, two that are almost always mentioned are Redbreast 12 and Green Spot. For some reason, this 12Y single malt from the same producer in the same price range is seldom discussed. Try this first, it's superior in every aspect.

Having already sampled this remarkable Irish spirit on several occasions, I'm ready to provide a rating. The aroma is fruity, with apples and melon prominent, accompanied by an expected strong honey scent. Floral notes are on the periphery. It leans towards the sweeter side, and proudly so. While the aroma alone would be satisfying, the taste lives up to expectations. More apple notes emerge early, and the sweet honey persists, but a significant amount of vanilla appears and remains until the very end. It possesses a bit more body compared to, for instance, a Redbreast 12, offering a distinct and pleasing difference. The finish is exceptionally smooth and gracefully extended. This might be my preferred expression from Powers to date.

I admit I'm a big fan of Irish Whiskey. This is a great addition to my collection. (suggested by someone). Honey, vanilla, notes like cereal/grain, and a sweet sugar flavor. It's somewhat reminiscent of Frosted Flakes. I can't recall the other whiskey that had this same characteristic for me. It's intended as a compliment. The aroma is sweet and smells like sugary cereal. I genuinely enjoy this. To be truthful, I liked it so much that it never crossed my mind to add water. After considering it, I did add water and did not care for the result. Some heat came forward and that was it. It just wasn't worth it *** ***. I was mistaken, it's 20 minutes later and the water settled in wonderfully. Richer with a longer finish. I increased my score to 4.25. Yes, very good with more vanilla.