Tullamore D.E.W. Original

By Barry Bradford on March 8, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

Tullamore D.E.W. Original (40%, OB, 2018)

- 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.

Sampled during the #TullamoreDEW Live Twitter Tasting hosted by Kevin the Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery Ambassador and Steve @TheWhiskyWire on Wednesday 7th March 2018.

My tasting notes:

- - Appearance: Chardonnay (7/20), medium-fine drops from slowly leaving long fine legs
  - Nose: Sweet foam banana esters, fruity with hints of vanilla custard and cereal including some unmalted barley spice from the glass, buttery and slightly spirity, followed by thick vanilla, malted and unmalted barley cereals, gristy and a touch of wood smoke on the hands.
  - Taste: Banana and apple, pear, lemon, lime citrus, light-medium bodied on the palate, oily and buttery in texture, malted milk and lemon puff biscuit cereals, toasted oak wood with hints of cinnamon and fresh nutmeg spices
  - Finish: Medium-short, sweet, lemon and vanilla creams and a dusting of cinnamon

Overall

A great introductory whiskey to the Tullamore range or ‘Blended’ Irish whiskey category. All very pleasant, perhaps a hint more wood smoke and spice than I remember on previous tastings?