Powers SPS vs. Redbreast 12

[Fionnán]

once again, i've been away from the forum/ the bottle for a little while as a result of school pressures but, as the year winds down, i had a chance to read the whiskeynotes blog on the new SPS (still getting used to saying that) bottlings. From what i read, the powers stuff is a 12 year old SPS aged in bourbon barrels with some sherry barrel influence, which sounds like a second cousin to redbreast 12. Aside from the fact that the powers is non-chill filtered, is it just the proportion between the two barrel types that makes them different or are they using their heavier pot still style or what's the story? Powers has always been my stock student-blend and i'm curious to know what you guys thought of the new stuff (as well as the barry crocket midleton).

P.S. I'm sorry that i wont be in dublin in time for the Rye tasting or i'd be happy to ferry over some harder to get american stuff (i've managed to get my hands on some Old Potrero and Templeton.) I'll be staying in dublin long term starting in December so if you need any specific american spirit for any future events, just let me know beforehand (i have a good relationship with some of the west coast micro-distilleries like anchor, mccarthy's, charbay, etc)

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Hi Fionán, true Powers SPS may be a second cousin from the Redbreast but it is once removed

To be honest they are very different whiskeys. You are obviously aware of the taste profile of the Redbreast 12yo at this stage. The Redbreast gets a significant amount of it's character from the Sherry cask content. The make up of the Redbreast 12yo is 70% bourbon cask and 30% Sherry cask and that 30% adds a whole pile of sherry charachter. However the Powers John's Lane SPS is over 90% bourbon barrelwith a small amount of sherry cask which is in single ration figures. Even more interesting it uses a much heavier pot still style which gives it a much more robust style with the spice and wood being quite prominent. ANd it produces a wonderfully beefier whiskey in comparison to the others and even the Regular Powers. As Heidi Donnelan mentioned it was very much a masculine whiskey.

[Fionnán]

thanks Adrian! out of curiosity, is this 90/10 bourbon/sherry treatment and heavier pot still style in any way related to the pot still content in powers blends or is it an entirely separate project?

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

thanks Adrian! out of curiosity, is this 90/10 bourbon/sherry treatment and heavier pot still style in any way related to the pot still content in powers blends or is it an entirely separate project?

The person I was talking to was not 100% sure of the make up. I got the impression that there was a very small amount of sherry in it and could be under 5% to round off any edges but don't quote me on that. Also the main body of Powers probably comes from the second fill heavy pot still while the subtle flavours come from the first fill bourbon which would be regular mod pot. I would imagine there is a fair amount of the heavy going by taste but have no numbers.

I wouldn't I had a long but general chat with one of the guys that would know exactly what is in it but I forgot to ask.

[damienmcguigan]

Hi all,
Does anyone know where it is possible to buy a bottle of the Power SPS?

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Hi all,
Does anyone know where it is possible to buy a bottle of the Power SPS?

May take a while to filter out through the network as I tried O'Briens in Galway and they did not have or even have heard about it.

It's on sale in the Celtic Whiskey Shop but may not be on their website yet. If you want it delivered just drop them a mail or give them a bell.

[cathach]

As far as I can tell its not on the CWS website either. Checked O'Briens yesterday myself and they looked at me as if I'd ten heads!

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

As far as I can tell its not on the CWS website either. Checked O'Briens yesterday myself and they looked at me as if I'd ten heads!

Ya I got that from O'brien's too but there was a few people from O'Briens at the launch so it is only a matter of time.

Celtic Whiskey Shop have it on the shelves but obviously not updated the on online content yet.

[John]

Don't think so IWC, I was in the CWS this afternoon and was told they hoped to have it in later in the week.
J.

[IrishWhiskeyChaser]

Don't think so IWC, I was in the CWS this afternoon and was told they hoped to have it in later in the week.
J.

Wow I was under the impression that CWS had it in stock on Wednesday waiting for the go ahead on Friday ... somebody must of being telling me porkies

Apologies to anybody who made the trip into Nassau Street on my advice

Ah well, can't wait to get my hands on a bottle of the Powers so in one way delighted I'm not the only one waiting

[VTPack]

It looks like it is on CWS now. Have any Americans had any trouble ordering from them, I am looking to try out the new Powers

[Fionnán]

VTPack,

I order internationally from CWS all the time and i've never had any problems