Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey Review
That’s right, folks - it’s not dew, it’s D.E.W. But we’ll still call it dew because the company does.
Tullamore DEW advertises itself as the original triple blended Irish whiskey. Not really sure what that means or what to do with it - Bushmills, while in Northern Ireland, is over 200 years older (founded 1608), also triple distills its whiskey, and is also a multi-grain blend. Maybe Tullamore means in the Republic of Ireland? I’ll have to look into that…
Tullamore D.E.W., or “Tully”, is probably the second bulk /Irish whiskey college students/partiers, in general, go to after Jameson. It’s cheap, comes in 1.75L handles, and is widely available. Just like Jameson, though, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t taste good.
As far as Irish whiskies go, I’ll admit Tully isn’t my first or second go-to (Bushmills is the first and the second could be Jameson IPA or Fighting Irish 69th, or Slane - there’s a lot out there). It tastes fine, but there’s something plain about it that isn’t interesting to me.
I’ve had the chance to taste a few of their more premium expressions, and they are more what I’m looking for in a whiskey (especially in the mouthfeel). If you’re just starting out in Irish Whiskey, though? Definitely try some Tully - it’s a necessary dram to compare to the rest.
The original Tullamore DEW is triple cask-matured in ex-bourbon barrels, ex-sherry casks, and refill barrels.
Tullamore DEW: Specs
Classification: Triple Distilled Irish Blended Whiskey
Origin: Bushmills Distillery
Mashbill: Blend of Malt Whiskey, Grain Whiskey, and Pot Still Whiskey
Proof: 80 (40% ABV)
Age: NAS
Location: Ireland
Tullamore DEW Price: $35
Tullamore DEW Review: Tasting Notes
Eye: Light apple juice.
Nose: Not much here - hints of orchard fruits, especially apples, definitely sweet, but remains pretty tight throughout.
Palate: Green apple Jolly Ranchers, sweet, tangy, candied. No pot still spices, which surprised me. Mouthfeel is light with the barest of burn.
Finish: Short, not much here.
Overall: A basic Irish Whiskey that, while worth trying, isn’t going to be very interesting for those drinking for taste.
Final Rating: 5.3
10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)
8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)
7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)
6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)
5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)
4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)
3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)
2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)
1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)
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