Powers Irish Rye Whiskey
Powers Irish Rye Whiskey is a 43.2% ABV (86.4 proof) Irish whiskey made from 100% Irish-grown rye — the first whiskey ever produced entirely from Irish rye, launched by Irish Distillers in 2023. The rye is commissioned exclusively from Cooney Furlong Farm in County Wexford, near the Powers ancestral home, then triple-distilled in a column still at Midleton Distillery in County Cork and matured in a mix of virgin, first-fill, and refill American oak casks. Not chill-filtered. The result is a softer, rounder rye: burnt orange, maraschino cherry, and toffee banana on the nose; candied ginger, orange peel, and red licorice on the palate; and a satisfyingly long finish with a prickle of chili oil. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 43.2% (86.4 proof) — not chill-filtered
- Size: 750mL
- Mash bill: 100% malted Irish rye — the world's first all-Irish-rye whiskey
- Distillation: triple-distilled in a column still at Midleton Distillery, Co. Cork
- Rye source: Cooney Furlong Farm, Co. Wexford; matured in virgin, first-fill, and refill American oak
Tested in the 1800s, Perfected in the 2020s
That's the brand's own line, and it's literal: Powers archivist Carol Quinn found that the house experimented with rye whiskey back in the 1800s, and the modern expression is the payoff two centuries later. Ireland grows rye beautifully but almost never whiskeys it — this is the exception, and the triple distillation keeps the rye spice rounded rather than raw. Explore Powers whiskeys or browse Irish whiskey.
Tasting Notes
Nose: burnt orange, maraschino cherries, toffee banana; freshly baked rye bread, buttered croissant, charred oak; clove, white pepper, ginger, sweet vanilla, earthy sugar cane. Palate: candied ginger, orange peel, clove, peppermint; caramelized apple, brown sugar, sweet cereal, red licorice; vanilla and charred oak balancing rye spice. Finish: satisfyingly long with a prickle of chili oil, honey-glazed fruit, and cereal undertones.
How to Enjoy
Neat to catch the full rye-bread-and-citrus profile, or in an Irish Old Fashioned where the American-oak sweetness plays against bitters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Powers Irish Rye different from American rye? It's 100% Irish-grown rye, triple-distilled in the Irish style — a softer, rounder rye with balancing American-oak sweetness.
Is Powers Irish Rye a single grain or pot still whiskey? Neither — it's a single grain-style whiskey made entirely from rye, triple-distilled in a column still.
Ireland's first 100% rye whiskey — pick up Powers Irish Rye online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
