Powers Three Swallow Single Pot Still

This is a delayed return to my assessment of John's Lane, which I believe was penned about 5 years back. That was genuinely an exceptional Irish whiskey. Though I don't have the identical hopes for this bottling, it does originate from the same collection, so I'm anticipating it will leave a mark. Nose: Sweet honey, rich toffee, smooth vanilla, and delicate shortbread. Tangy apricot, crisp apple, and juicy pear. Sweet vanilla frosting. Nutty walnut and roasted almond. Hints of banana and tropical pineapple. White grape juice. Piquant black pepper, warm clove, and aromatic nutmeg. Palate: More honey, toffee, vanilla, and shortbread, complemented by caramel, brown sugar, and roasted almond. Sweet golden raisin and dark plum. Sugary date and rich fig. Some dark grape and tart raspberry. Tropical pineapple. Creamy custard. A bit more of that white grape juice. Zesty orange citrus, crisp pear, tangy apricot, and apple. Delicate floral notes. Finish: Sweet toffee, honey, and malt. Smooth vanilla, milk chocolate, and caramel. Grape, date, fig, and raisin. Tropical pineapple. A pleasant cinnamon warmth. Clove, nutmeg, and oak. Average duration. Dependable. It's an engaging Irish whiskey that appeals to the typical Scotch enthusiast's liking for a malt aged in bourbon barrels and finished in sherry. However, this one is a Pot Still. It showcases the primary Powers taste, although the Olorosso finish contributes a pleasing dimension to the typically subtle sweet character that Powers offers. I favor this over the Gold. The Olorosso introduces complexity, giving this an advantage compared to the basic version. Yet, considering it costs nearly twice as much, my rating for the Gold is slightly higher when value for money is considered. It goes without saying that this doesn't compare to John's Lane. Nevertheless, a pleasant whiskey and respectable on its own. 3.75/5.

I'm not an expert. That said... Neat ---- Alcohol is present on the nose. I struggled to identify specific notes initially. Later, I could detect caramel and ripe bananas/pears or green apple, though not very clearly. On the palate, it's initially spicy. As it reaches the sides of the tongue, it becomes sweet and pleasant. Hints of green apple and coconut are more noticeable. The finish felt short, somewhat dry, and refreshing. With water ---------- On the nose: the alcohol has dissipated. The scent of ripe bananas/pears and green apple is significantly stronger, almost resembling almond extract. On the palate: the initial spiciness is gone. It becomes sweeter, and the ripe fruit taste diminishes slightly but remains present. The coconut, however, only appears at the end, lingering in the mouth with a hint of spiciness. The finish is short; not much to remark on. My conclusion is that this is an average whiskey: not bad at all, but far from the best I've had, nor does it justify its regular price of around €50. I would definitely purchase it again if I find it on discount.

86.4 proof. The aroma is sweet and inviting, featuring vanilla frosting and vanilla wafer cookies, with just a hint of grain. On the palate, the sweetness continues, accompanied by a more substantial grain presence reminiscent of baked bread with butter. It’s sweet and light, lacking significant depth. The mouthfeel is acceptable given the low proof. The finish is adequate, offering a slight touch of pot spices followed by a fading vanilla sweetness that doesn’t linger extensively. Overall, this spirit is perfectly drinkable but unremarkable, not suitable for cocktails or Irish coffee. The price point and value are insufficient for justification. A Knappogue Castle 12 is less expensive, and for a superior option, consider a Knappogue Castle 12 Barrel Select, which has a slightly higher proof.

A beautiful honey hue. The scent is like vanilla cake frosting, rich and sugary, with expected shortbread cookie notes. A distinct lemon extract adds a sharp aroma, reminiscent of a less sour Lemonhead candy. Taste: Vanilla cake, shortbread, lemon drop, coffee creamer. Once the initial burn subsides, the flavor is smooth and friendly with notes of vanilla. Stewed apple is present. Even the aftertaste carries a vanilla frosting essence. The tart lemon sensation remains on the front of the palate. The burn at the back of the tongue has a woody barrel character, with a sharp tannin that complements the lemon/citric elements. The barrel wood appears unexpectedly. A hint of cinnamon at the end might be the source of the surprising burn. It's quite pleasant and sweet, with a surprisingly challenging conclusion.

Powers Three Swallows whiskey offers decent value in a category where prices have been rising. Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey can be exceptional. This particular whiskey is adequate. It's elegant yet understated, with hints of apple and vanilla. There's a subtle European oak spice, but cream is the most dominant flavor. It's pleasant enough, but it might not be distinctive enough in a rapidly expanding category. *Note: My scoring ranges from 0 to 5, with 0 being the worst possible whiskey, 2.5 being average, and 5 representing the most sublime nectar of the gods.

Found this suggestion from my research. My shopkeeper mentioned it was an overlooked gem. Let's see if that's true. The aroma is subtle, but sweet. Apples and cloves seem to appear. The taste brings more apple pie notes with a slight cinnamon heat. The heat seems to linger more on the tongue than the throat, unlike most whiskey. I have generally preferred finished Irish Whiskeys, but this is a very pleasing pour. At its price point, it's a decent value as well.