Tullamore D.E.W. Original

By Barry Bradford on March 5, 2015 • ( Leave a comment )

Whisky Review: Tullamore D.E.W. Original (40%, OB, 2015)

- Category: Blended Irish whiskey
- Origin: Midleton Distillery
- Bottling: William Grant & Sons
- ABV: 40% ABV
- Cost: £24.13

What they say

The original blended Irish whiskey, known the world over for its smooth and gentle complexity. For one, it is triple distilled and patiently aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and sherry casks, developing its distinctive smoothness. Secondly, being a blend of all three types of Irish whiskey, it has a gentle complexity. The malt and the pot still whiskey we use give it citrus and spicy notes.

Official tasting notes

The early floral yet biscuit flavour reflects the grain whiskey, while the soft spicy notes can be attributed to the pot still whiskey in the blend. The citrus flavour is contributed by the malt. Finally notice the nutty or even marzipan note combined with distinctive vanilla in the finish – imparted by the sherry and bourbon casks used in maturation.

- - Nose: Light sweet citrus and green apple combined with vanilla undertones.
  - Taste: Early fresh fruit leads to a definite light spice followed by some toasted wood which evolves into a delicious vanilla sweetness.
  - Finish: Medium length, buttery mellowness with a touch of marzipan accompanying the lingering vanilla.

What I say

First distilled in 1829 in the town of Tullamore in Ireland, this whiskey derives its name from an early distillery manager Daniel E. Williams.

The brand was sold to William Grant & Sons Ltd. in 2010 and is thought to be composed of a blend of whiskey from the New Midleton distillery in Cork.

My tasting notes:

- - Appearance: Antique gold (9/20) light droplet tears with fine trails
  - Nose: Cereals, barley, malty and gristy, sweet honey, fruity apple skin/peel, orange, peach, pear, vanilla, caramel and a faint latex/rubber bands/bubblegum chemical aroma
  - Taste: Smooth, toffee, apple, baked apple tart/crumble with dulche de leche, caramel, like a banoffee pie made with apples instead of banana, vanilla, oak wood, fruity apple, orange, pear, polished new oak wood
  - Finish: Medium, sweet, oak, fruit, zesty citrus grapefruit

Overall

Sweet fruity and plenty of toffee, reasonable depth and body. Not too much graininess for a blend and only faint hints of that characteristic ‘bubblegum’ aroma that I associate with pot still Irish whiskey. This expression is very drinkable and hard to find flaw with – not a bad introduction to Irish whiskey.