There are bottles you buy because they're interesting, and bottles you buy because they might not come around again. The Powers 2005 Small Batch, a 17-year-old expression bottled exclusively for The Whisky Exchange, falls firmly into the second category. At 51% ABV and with nearly two decades of maturation behind it, this is a limited release that demands attention from anyone serious about aged whiskey.
Seventeen years is a long time for any spirit to sit in wood. At that age, you're well past the point where the barrel is simply adding vanilla and caramel — the oak has had time to work through layers of complexity, pulling tannins deep into the liquid and allowing oxidation to soften and round everything out. The 51% bottling strength is a smart choice here. It's robust enough to carry all that barrel influence without the burn you'd get from a full cask strength release, and it means you're tasting something close to what the blenders tasted when they made their selections. No need to add water, though a few drops won't hurt if you want to open things up.
Small batch releases like this one are always worth paying attention to. The limited nature of the bottling means the blenders had a tight selection of casks to work with, and the exclusivity to The Whisky Exchange suggests this was a considered partnership — not a bulk offload of surplus stock. At £125, you're paying a premium, but for a 17-year-old small batch at natural strength, it's honestly not unreasonable. I've seen far younger, far less interesting bottles commanding similar prices.
Tasting Notes
I won't pretend to give you a detailed breakdown of every aroma and flavour here — what I will say is that at this age and strength, you should expect depth. Seventeen years of maturation at 51% ABV typically delivers rich, layered character with plenty of dried fruit, baking spice, and well-integrated oak. This is a whiskey built for slow sipping and considered attention. Pour it, let it breathe for ten minutes, and come back to it. Then come back again twenty minutes later. Bottles like this reward patience.
The Verdict
I'm giving the Powers 2005 Small Batch an 8.2 out of 10. It earns that score on pedigree, presentation, and intent. A 17-year-old small batch exclusive at natural strength is exactly the kind of release that whiskey enthusiasts should be chasing — it represents genuine craft and careful cask selection. The price is fair for what you're getting, and the exclusivity means this won't be sitting on shelves for long. If you see it, buy it. If you hesitate, someone else won't.
Where it loses that last point or two is simply in the crowded field it's competing in. At the £125 mark, you have serious options from established age-statement releases, and without a confirmed distillery provenance, some buyers may want more transparency before committing. That said, the liquid speaks for itself, and at 51% ABV with 17 years behind it, there's real substance in this bottle.
Best Served
Pour this neat in a Glencairn glass at room temperature. Give it a solid ten minutes to breathe after pouring — aged whiskey at this strength needs air to fully express itself. If you're feeling adventurous, this would make an extraordinary base for a Manhattan: the age and proof can stand up to sweet vermouth without getting lost, and you'd end up with one of the most sophisticated cocktails you've ever made. But honestly, at £125 a bottle, I'd drink most of it straight and save the cocktail experimentation for the last few pours.
