I recently received the seemingly very good news that Powerscourt distillery will be acquired by Altiva Management Inc, apparently an investment firm based in Nevada, US.
I'm always sceptical about big investors taking over smaller companies (my attitude about big investors is too infected by the ongoings in tech) but it surely is better than bankruptcy.
I'm a big fan of Powerscourt, and I was very sad to hear they had gone into receivership. Now there should be hope to see them continue the good work they've been doing.
Powerscourt, in County Wicklow, started distilling in 2018, then under the leadership of Noel Sweeney, previously distiller at Cooley distillery. Under the Fercullen brand they've released some impressive whiskeys, using stock from Cooley distillery but more recently also with their own liquid distilled at Powerscourt.
Fercullen whiskeys
I've written about these before when I had the opportunity to join a Twitter (RIP) tasting of some sourced whiskeys under the Fercullen brand. I was curious when I first heard they had released their first whiskey made from their own stock, and bought a bottle. This is a very pleasant drop, full of juicy fruits and gentle spice. From what I know the current bottling is 4-5 years old and matured exclusively in bourbon barrels, and bottled at 46% ABV. It's marked as out of stock on their own website, but still available at Irish malts.
I had some quick tasting notes scribbled down from 2024, but felt they didn't at all describe how I remember the whiskey itself. I probably should buy a new bottle to taste it properly again.
Meanwhile, Powerscourt also made a cask strength version of this whiskey and I tasted this at the Shelbourne bar in 2024.
Bottled at 56,6% it had a lot more oomph to it, and these tasting notes other than what is related to the higher ABV, correspond better to how I remember the 46% ABV bottling.
Nose
Pears, apples, vanilla, soft spice, peppermint, light cinnamon, a warm cosy feel.
Palate
Dry, fruity, soft despite ABV, peppermint (as in Swedish polkagris, perhaps the same thing as candy canes?), some berry. Can’t wrap my head around this - somhow bitter but not really bitter, floral? There's sweet white wine with white pepper. Medium finish with the white wine mixed with pepper.
I will happily get another bottle of this - the 46% bottling is available on Irish malts for €55.
Regarding the cask strength version, from what I heard initially it was a distillery esclusive only, but it's been available on their online shop - or it was when I started writing this post. Now it seems to be sold out. I see this as a good sign, and I look forward to hearing more about them in the near future.
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