Here’s the thing about Powers Gold… it’s so damn misleading. It looks cheap, it is cheap, and it’s got a screw top. You expect it to taste like the runoff from the Midleton distillery… but it doesn’t. It’s actually quite good and is the #1 selling whiskey in Ireland.
Made in the same distillery as Jameson it’s as versatile as you can get in a whiskey. It has enough flavor and character to drink it on the rocks, holds up on ice and is phenomenal to make cocktails with. I highly recommend that you keep a bottle on hand at all times in your home bar.
Overall this is one hell of a value and worth every penny. If you’ve tried this particular whiskey add your own tasting notes in the comments below.
Powers Gold Review
ABV: 40%
Price: $20
Distiller: Midleton
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
There is a very pleasant burnt sugar / bruleed pastry scent to it, but it’s no one sniff pony. Get that second sniff and it’s all grains and conjures images of farm houses and fresh cut hay, which is the malted barley coming through, and of course that nice light Irish Whiskey spice
TASTE
Here’s where it gets awesome. First there’s a wave of honey with some nutty aspects on the side. Next up are some very light and pleasant woody aspects that add some body to this workhorse. Then finally we get some smooth tasting grains, almost a wheat like flavor, followed up with a salted brown butter quality and wrapped in a spice.
FEEL
It is a bit rough around the edges, but it’s warm going down and it doesn’t make you regret your choice at any time.
FINISH
A long finish of malt, oak, a little caramel and spice
SCORE: 81/100
Enjoying this beauty on St. Patrick’s 2023….such a lovely whiskey. Wish I had some vanilla ice cream to go with it.
very informative site
Thank you. :)
Nice summary of the experience. Lots and lots of honey with a buttery warm finish. Has gone up in price from $21-22 to $30 in the past couple of years here.
Same here, but hard to keep updating all the prices. Wish I had a way to do it easily! Cheers Alan!
Hey all. I’ve tried quite a bit of whiskeys, Irish is my clear fav so far. I love Powers, the value for the price of this bottle is ridiculous. It’s 30’ish here, but still blows away a lot of other things I’ve tried at much higher prices. Powers is a real sleeper, I’m glad you like it as much as I do. There’s a richness to this whiskey that’s so unexpected at first look , but certainly you know it from the first smell and sip. I just discovered the site, so I’m looking forward to going thru it all as time goes on. Cheers!
Welcome and cheers!
ANYTHING has to be better than the dreaded Paddy’s!
At $20 I’d totally grab a bottle, but it’s $32 here and Jameson Black Barrel is $37. From your reviews I assume you would recommend the Black Barrel, true? (I’ve also considered Teeling, also $37). Cheers!
Between those three yes I’d go for the Black Barrel every time. Cheers!
Powers Gold is $30 here. It has a bit more flavor than Jameson, but its not worth $10 more.(esp since Elijah Craig 12 bourbon is 24!) There are several entry level Irish blend at $18-20 here. I think I will stick with Jameson as a cheap mixer.
I am new to Irish and Scotch whiskey. Your site is tremendously helpful!!!
Thank you.
Cheers Matt!
Powers is wonderful. You need to do a new review on the 43% Gold. It is even better!
I agree with you. Every March I round up a bunch of Irish Whiskies and do a slew of reviews and I plan on re-reviewing Powers Gold for 2016.
Cheers!
I’ve noticed it has become a few dollars more expensive. Clearly the secret is out. It is so good, that it has literally changed my perception of the aesthetic. It really does look like cheep crap when you first see it. After growing to love it, it even stops looking like a wino’s choice.
I love the birch box flavor it has. Totally unique. It has the same hollow body of other standard blends (Bushmills and Jameson) but is far superior in every way. Nice write up.
Thank you, cheers!