I've been given a great opportunity to both be introduced to and introduce you to Powerscourt Distillery, an Irish whiskey distillery that is producing its own spirits today in the heart of Ireland. I received two small samples of their single malt Irish whiskey from one of my local liquor stores to take home and explore on my own. A quick background from their website:
The Powerscourt Distillery, set in the garden of Ireland in Enniskerry Co. Wicklow was designed and constructed by a Scottish engineering group called Forsyths, one of the world leaders in the supply of distillation equipment.
It is a classic 3 pot still distillery, allowing Powerscourt to distill, malt and pot distill whiskey using both classic and traditional triple and double distillation methods. At full capacity the distillery has the potential to distil over 3 million of bottles of whiskey per year, or lay down the equivalent of 40 barrels of spirit per day.
For the first time in over 100 years, single malt Irish whiskey is being distilled and produced right here in the heart of Wicklow and the team at Powerscourt are dedicated to creating and crafting some of the finest Irish whiskeys for future generations to enjoy.
Single malt Irish whiskey shouldn't be a surprising category for anyone paying attention to the industry. If you read my Bushmills 16 year single malt Irish whiskey review, you'd be familiar with the category already.
It is relatively unclear if what I tasted was distilled and aged by Powerscourt or if it was sourced from another distillery. For what it is worth, it does appear that they are trending towards bottling mostly their own distillate now and making a pretty big fanfare about it too. I'm glad to have a taste to see if it is something I am going to want to chase down, and I hope this review serves the same purpose for you, my dear reader. Let's jump in and find out what's inside the bottle!
Company on Label: The Powerscourt Distillery
Whiskey Type: Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: 100% malted barley
Proof: 92°
Age: NAS
Further identification: This single malt Irish whiskey (distilled on a pot still) notably says "bottled by" rather than distilled by, which might normally suggest it is sourced from another distillery, however the BBC Spirits distributor page describes it as "the first to be distilled entirely at Powerscourt"; it is generally available now at an MSRP of $50
Nose: At first nosing, I find subtle peach, pear, and apricot. Subtle cinnamon and distinct toffee develop well with time. This is not your typical single pot still Irish whiskey, which typically produces that sweet sugar cookie note; this is distinctly all about that 100% malted barley mash bill and letting the local terroir speak for itself. I find more parallels to single malt Scotch whisky than I do to historical norms for Irish whiskey here. Honey butter and wisps of bell heather sit decadently and delicately in the nostrils. Deep inhales show off more delicate florality as the intensity and complexity of this wispy, whimsical dram begins to fall flat. Time for a sip.
Returning my nose to the glass after a few sips adds in graham cracker and light baker's chocolate. The well-rested glass reveals light toffee, nutmeg, and delicate breadiness. The empty glass smells of formica stone and concrete.
Palate: My first taste of Fercullen reveals an unmatched softness; it lands on the tongue softer than the gentlest of summer breezes when you are wishing for cooler air. The mouthfeel is on the thinner side, with a watered-down honey sweetness like an under-steeped cup of tea. A late sizzle of cinnamon can be found on the tongue long after the departure of the liquid. Another sip amplifies the experience slightly, with more of that oily pot still character starting to come through with the same floral undertones as the nose brought around. I find just a hint of chocolate teddy grahams in the linger. Soft and tingly in the gums, I find this to be incredibly simple yet still elegant in its delivery. My last sip shows off fuzzy peach skin, grenadine, and orange marmalade. The finish is short but effervescent and vaguely tart-sweet; it's as light as if I hadn't had whiskey at all.
TL;DR: Somewhat of a "session" whiskey with its impossibly delicate, floral honey sweetness
Rating: 3/5
I'd argue that this is barely a whiskey. It is supremely drinkable for those who value smoothness. Like I mentioned in my 'Too Long; Didn't Read' blurb, I see this kind of like a crushable light beer, something you might have a few of on a hot day as more of a refreshment than a proper dram.
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