Powers Gold Label - 43.2%ABV!!! NCF!!!

[Luke Gough]

Just saw on the Powers Website - Powers Gold Label is going up to 43.2%ABV - and Non Chill Filtered!!!

http://www.powerswhiskey.com/product-info

Happy Days!!!

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

And it is also being dressed up in the more up market 12 yo bottle. Happy days yes but excuse the cynic in me but does this mean a price increase too if so

The marketing blurb is pushing the NCF as ...

Finally, a proprietary Powers 
production technique enables a non-chill filtration at 43.2% ABV – unique amongst Irish whiskey.

but would it not be the case that this production technique is just they have one less step to do?

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

It looks like this will be priced between the current Powers and the 12. About €30+. The 12 has been on the chopping block for a long time.

I don't know what the new process is that they don't have the Chill Filter.

[Luke Gough]

I don't know what the new process is that they don't have the Chill Filter.

Something called "Triple-Distillation" I'm told...

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I don't know what the new process is that they don't have the Chill Filter.

Something called "Triple-Distillation" I'm told...

I don't think it's that easy. If so they would never have bothered Chill Filtering.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Chill filtering came about because whiskey bottled at 40% would go cloudy with temperature drops.

Basically in cold weather the fusil oils in whiskey would solidify and make the whiskey look cloudy therefor appearing unappetizing in many of the publics eyes and affecting sales.

So the "extra" step of chill filtering was devised and introduced to prevent such occurrences.

It was thought that the optimum abv to prevent this naturally (i.e. NCF) was to bottle at 46%. However as Irish is distilled 3 times (therefor contains less heavy oils that Scorch distilled twice) I am presuming they can get away in bottling NCF at the lower abv of 43.2%.

I have no issue paying for my extra 3.2% but are we yet again going to pay an over rated premium for another fairly standard Irish whiskey. Any mass produced whiskey in my book from 12yo down should be in the standard category.

I totally welcome the the offering but I still ask the question what is this "unique process".

More like a marketing filtering process of my hard earned cash .

[IainB]

I'm not sure how new this really is - there's been a Power NAS at 43.2% available outside of Ireland for a while now - I got a couple of bottles at some stage and they were definitely a step up from the regular. More SPS character if I recall. I'll have to give the bottle another go at the weekend.

[IainB]

Here's a link:

https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/P-23067.aspx

I think it's at least a year since I bought this.

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I've got to the bottom of some of this.

The 43.2% was launched into the U.S. as mentioned. It is NCF. The percentage isn't the reason. That's just to make it look more like a small batch with an irregular percentage.

The new Three Swallow (not 3 Swallows I'm told) is 40% it's also NCF. The triple distillation helps but it is also filter but not chill filtered.

I'm sure it's a new system but effective non the less. I tested a sample when I got it to be sure. I thought it was a higher ABV but found out later it was 40%.

On another note sadly an increase of 3.2% in abv would not be a 3.2% increase in price. To bring it down from 43 to 40 you would add about 70ml water and gain roughly 2 measures. I'm guessing to leave it a 43.2 you'll lose those 2 measures and therefore for a 70cl bottle that could be 10% dearer. Maths a little confusing but makes sense if you work it out.

[TheWhiskeyBro]

I can confirm the new version of the Powers Gold Label NAS is 40%. It is already on supermarket shelves here in Ireland and is designed to tie in with the 43.2% export version, three swallows, signature release, johns lane and the recent limited editions.

[John]

What's the difference between the Three Swallows and the Signature release?

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

What's the difference between the Three Swallows and the Signature release?

They are completely different strangely enough. The Signature Release is First fill Bourbon & Olorosa Sherry. The Three Swallow has a variety of Bourbon & a small amount of Sherry.

It's a good example of 2 different NAS whiskey from the same stable. The Three Swallow is spicier while the Signature is Fruitier I think.

I wonder if they'll ever try a finish, it worked wonders with the Green Spot.

[IainB]

Is the powers 3 swallows released yet and where can you get it?

[varizoltan]

i tried the american release a while back in Chicago with Marty Duffy at the Green Mill, but as I recall, we were not too impressed with it..

it was just a powers, not much more if you know what i mean

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Is the powers 3 swallows released yet and where can you get it?

It's on general release in the next week or so I'm told. The airport has it already.

[charleymcguffin]

Just seen the new packaged Powers Gold Label in Dunne's .It has the exact same labels, but does not carry the tag around the neck as the 43.2 o/o and states non chill filtered ,but it is alas still at 40 o/o .Maybe as a compensation the 1 Lt. bottle is priced at €32.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

That's not a bad price at all. Must grab a bottle. Thanks for the heads up Charlie ...

[mawhinney]

I am confused by all this. Am I the only one?

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

I am confused by all this. Am I the only one?

Powers is getting revamped. The new bottle will be similar to the 12, John's Lane, & signature release.

The ABV is 43.2% in the U.S. It will remain 40% here.

[mawhinney]

Many thanks Willie.
Where does Three Swallow fit in?
It strikes me that Powers are cramming in too much into a small marketing space that doesn't allow for a clear market differentiation of product: Gold Label, Three Swallow, 12 Year-Old , Signature , and John's Lane. Too many subtleties that cause confusion and will evade the the average buyer; and that even makes me pause to think! Keep it simple, e.g, Powers No1, Powers No 2, Powers No 3, etc.
Yours
Powers-lover

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

Many thanks Willie.
Where does Three Swallow fit in?
It strikes me that Powers are cramming in too much into a small marketing space that doesn't allow for a clear market differentiation of product: Gold Label, Three Swallow, 12 Year-Old , Signature , and John's Lane. Too many subtleties that cause confusion and will evade the the average buyer; and that even makes me pause to think! Keep it simple, e.g, Powers No1, Powers No 2, Powers No 3, etc.
Yours
Powers-lover

The 3 swallow is going to be an entry level Pot Still. It's priced at €45 which is welcome. The range is confusing all the same. I noticed that they could be call by their colours too

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

At a guess I'd say they'll phase the regular 12yo out.

[charleymcguffin]

The 12 year old is notably absent from the revamped website .http://www.powerswhiskey.com/product-info
I think ,that I will be stocking up before they disappear!

[Good Whiskey Hunting]

At a guess I'd say they'll phase the regular 12yo out.

The 12 year old is notably absent from the revamped website .http://www.powerswhiskey.com/product-info
I think ,that I will be stocking up before they disappear!

It appears to be going alright. I've only a bottle left. I'll be buying on for the winter but I'll probably get a few more now.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Thanks to Charley for the tip off, got myself a 1Litre of the new Powers regular bottling for €32 in Dunnes.

Works out as €22.40 for a 70cl even though 70cl is priced in Dunnes at €29.

I wounder is all this price hiking for all the discounting you'll see on the run up to Christmas ...