The competition on the middle shelf behind the bar is fierce for liquor. People go with brands they know, not necessarily with what suits their taste. That can be especially true with whiskey. Names like Jameson and Bushmills are standouts due to longevity and effective advertising for Irish whiskey. People often gravitate toward the name they know, especially during the Green Season, when everyone wants to get their Irish on. These popular brands don’t necessarily have the best taste for the consumer, though, and at a reasonable price point. The good news is, there are more options than just the two most popular.
And so it goes with Tullamore D.E.W., a triple-distilled, triple-blended whiskey with its honey gold color and smooth oaky flavor. For those looking for less of a burn going down, a shot of Tully just might be the ticket.
Tullamore has nine different varieties of whiskey that vary in flavor and age (and price, for that matter). The green label is the most common found in your average bar or pub in the United States and is very affordable to the average working-class wallet.
What’s up with the “D.E.W.” initials on the bottle, you ask? Good catch if you realized Tullamore changed its labeling. Previously, “Dew” on the label was more a noun. Now, in its current incarnation, it actually stands for the whiskey’s founder, Daniel E. Williams. Williams worked his way up from the stables of the distillery in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Ireland to become the owner. The distillery eventually closed in 1954, but the branding was kept alive over the years by contracting the name out to various distilleries. In 2010, the brand was purchased in whole by William Grant & Sons, who found itself in an interesting dilemma. The contracted distillery at the time, Irish Distillers, could not meet the production goals of the new owners. To remedy the situation, William Grant & Sons opted to build a brand new distillery back in Tullamore, the whiskey’s birthplace.
Tullamore isn’t afraid to show its true colors. All of its regular bottles are clear, revealing the rich color of its whiskey. Even the bottle design is attractive, with the company’s founding year embedded in the glass. The rectangular style also means that multiple bottles will store nicely in a cabinet without giving up wasted space like round bottles do. (Hey, what can I say – I’m a big fan of efficient storage.)
In the midst of that fierce competition to gain loyal drinkers, Tullamore D.E.W. has much to offer in the way of affordability and taste. There is an underlying sweetness to it that lingers long after that first taste. One can imagine the history behind the label. If its distinct smoothness is any indication, it’s clear that Tullamore’s story is long from over.
Rating:
Summary: Four halos. Affordable, tasty, and an excellent choice for OCD shelf organizers.
