Uisce Beatha: Powers

As I'm sitting here watching Notre Dame take a beating at the hands of Navy, I figure I can post a long overdue rating of my new go-to, everyday Irish whiskey. Powers is a good bridge whiskey for those who are skeptical of Irish whiskey. It is a pot still, though not a pure one like Red Breast, so it has a more full-bodied and muscular taste. Powers is smoother than Jameson, sweet but without being cloying like Bushmills is, and more robust than Tullamore Dew. And since Powers is generally slightly cheaper than the big 3, there's another reason you can turn the Scotch and Bourbon crowd onto it without much financial risk to them.

Powers has a nice, deep gold color, darker than many other Irish selections. The initial smell is like honey-coated alcohol, giving you a simultaneous sense of smoothness and robustness. The taste is smooth and peppery, with a pleasant shot of alcohol throughout the sinuses. Powers lingers in the mouth, with a nice stickiness on the tongue. For one of the cheaper Irish whiskey, Powers gives a lot of bang for the buck. For those who dismiss the Irish drams for being overly light and lacking complexity, Powers is one to try.

Powers is a whiskey that grows on you. At first, I termed it "hair on your chest whiskey" because of the heavier flavor than is usual for Irish whiskey. I used to need ice with Powers back when, the training wheels so to speak. But given enough time and tastings, the "Powers Punch" will become your friend. Now, I take it straight, which I recommend to others, but you can still dash in some water to open it up. Now, if you're coming to Powers from Bushmills or Tullamore Dew, be prepared to get knocked back a step. If you're a Jameson man, Powers will be a nice step up, having all the muscularity without the excessive alcohol burn. And if you're into the pot still taste of Red Breast, Powers will fall nicely into your stride, being sort of a rascally, shanty Irish, pot still cousin to RB. Powers may not be great, but it is very good for what it is. And it's the perfect dram for the upcoming winter.

Paddy's Grade: B