Review 191: Tullamore Dew

Interestingly, the Irish Whisk(e)y brand Tullamore Dew is owned by the very Scottish Grant family. I'm of course referring to the Glenfiddich Grants and not the Glenfarclas Grants, or the Glen Grant Grants, etc... Anyway St. Patrick's day was just a bit ago, so Scottish ownership aside, let's review this affordable and available Irish blend!

Tullamore Dew

Color: Amber -1

ABV: 40%

Aroma Neat:
Mulled Apple Wine, Cinnamon, Flinty & Mineral Malt Barley Grist, Light Corn Syrup, Spun Sugar, German Rock Sugar, Breakfast Tea (let's say Irish...), Plum (slightly), Vanilla Bean, Mashed Bananas.

A complex and balanced nose. The fruity-yet-mineral malt and sweet grain components are in good balance. It seems good casks, ex-bourbon and ex-sherry, where used.

Aroma Water:
Maple Syrup (delicious!), Barley Sugar, Tupelo Honey, Lemon Grass, Golden Hay, Vanilla Bean, Banana Bread, Raisins, Nutmeg, Cinnamon (slightly), Honeydew Melon (and other assorted tropical fruits). 

The sweetness takes on a lot of complexity with a dash of water. There is a subtle, but important, spice undertone that gives the nose a greater sense of quality. Finally, an excellent tropical fruit character arises after a few minutes in the glass. 

Taste Neat:
Cream of (malt) Barley, Waxy Honey, Flint/Stony Minerality, Wood Glue, Burnt Match Sticks (slightly), Dried Fruits (raisins), Lemon Grass (slightly).

Shows good dimensionality (malt, fruit, oak). A surprising hint of sulfur (that's the match sticks), but it works in the way a good Mortlach does; a meaty, fuller flavor is the result.

Taste Water:
Golden Syrup, Dried fruits (slight sulfur), Flinty Malt Grist, Baking Soda, Green Oak (tannic), Barley Water, Copper, Chocolate (slightly), Bananas, Nutmeg, Cinnamon.

The pot still character shows through more with water: jammy dried fruits and a coppery tang.

Finish:
Cooked Barley, Burnt Vanilla Marshmallows, Barrel Char, Drying Oak, Glue, Cola Nut, Tin. 

Mostly American oak characteristics manifest in the finish, which is surprisingly dry and tannic. The wood glue becomes a bit of an off note. 

Conclusion:
Highly enjoyable nose, particularly with water.

Tasty palate with good complexity. The different whisky makes (grain, malted, unmalted) and cask types all have something to contribute.

Dry and grainy finish with lots of vanilla. Maybe too dry for some. A gluey note doesn't help things.

Rating: 80/100

Tullamore Dew is above average for a 20 USD bottle of whisky. A few flaws are present, but this is still a reasonably articulate dram. Certainly something to try if you'd like a change of pace from Jameson (which is also quite good). Speaking very generally, I think in the ~20 USD price range, Irish blends tend to be better value for money than Scottish ones... Take that as you will!

Josh