Tullamore Dew Irish Whisky Review

Country: Ireland
Region: Near Cork, Ireland
ABV: 40%
LCBO Price: $29.95
Availability: Wide

Tullamore Dew is second most popular Irish Whiskey in the world, and one of the most widely available. It was first distilled in 1829 in Tullamore. a small town in the county of Offaly, Ireland. The "Dew" portion of it's name is derived from the initials of Daniel E. Williams (D.E.W.) a prominent Irish businessman and early owner of the distillery.


Examining the bottle, the first thing I notice is that the distillery has eschewed a proper cork or plastic cap in favour of a metal one. These metal caps do not properly seal the bottle once opened, and can cause the whisky to go stale before the bottle is finished. Therefore, keeping Tullamore Dew or any other whisky with a metal cap longer than a few weeks is not recommended. Otherwise the bottle is pleasant looking, if a bit on the dull side.

Without water, on the nose, there is actually quite a lot going on for a blend. I smell some single malts, but the first thing I pick up is pot still whiskey, almost identical to the nose of Redbreast Irish Potstill Whiskey. I have not tried Green Spot, so I will assume that this blend does in fact contain Redbreast. The pot-still note is bitter with rhubarb and green apple and gooseberry notes and metallic accents. The other whisky involved has a more creamy, toasty, malty character. Everything seems to be influenced by the young, green bitter pot still whiskey. There is a pinch of spice in the nose, actually closest to cayenne pepper, with grassy hay undertones.

To taste, there is some very apparent alcohol/grain heat paired with some cayenne spice. What immediately follows is the pot still whisky profile, as well as a distinct apple pie note. There is rhubarb, green apple, gooseberry, spice, and the slightest hint of sweet strawberry. There is something about the taste profile which reminds me of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Creamy and malty at first, but with a sharp, long, alcoholic finish. If I had to guess, I would say that this blend includes a number of whiskies, because the taste profile is complex, but imbalanced and not entirely cohesive.

With water, the nose immediately becomes floral, with violet notes, along with some grassy hay and malty sweetness. There is a bit of farm-funk midway through, and cayenne notes creep up in with repeated nosings. There is also some black pepper and mild clove. To taste it remains nearly unchanged with water, with prominent alcohol burn and cayenne pepper notes.

Overall, this is a competent whisky which is better than some popular offerings. However it is outclassed by Jameson, sports a metal cap, and is priced at about $30 Canadian. For that price I would recommend Islay Mist over this blend, or if Irish whiskey is a must, then Jameson or Bushmills Original. I give it a 78.5/100 for the somewhat pleasant pot still notes.

Rating: 78.5/100