If Three Swallow is the gentle introduction to Powers, the Signature Release is the statement piece — the distillery's declaration of what single pot still whiskey is supposed to taste like when it is given room to breathe. Bottled at 46% ABV and, crucially, non-chill-filtered, it preserves the oils and congeners that give the style its distinctive texture.
Matured predominantly in ex-bourbon barrels, Signature Release leans harder on the spice and structure of pot still character than its sherry-kissed sibling. The nose is immediately more assertive — brioche, apricot and nutmeg, with a waxy undertone that speaks of genuine age and thoughtful cask selection.
On the palate the texture is the first thing that strikes: oily, creamy and coating, the hallmark of unmalted barley in the mashbill. Baked apple and honey give way to a firm wave of clove and black pepper, balanced by toasted oak and a thread of orange oil. It is a dram that demands slow sipping; each return to the glass reveals another facet, another layer of spice or fruit.
The finish is where Signature really earns its name. Long and warming, it leaves pepper, oak and a faint leathery note echoing across the palate for minutes. This is the Powers house style at its most honest and uncompromising — no rounding off the edges, no softening for mass appeal. For anyone looking to understand why single pot still whiskey is treasured by those in the know, Signature Release is a superb place to start and a fine place to settle.
